The Mystery of the Meanest Teacher: A Johnny Constantine Graphic Novel by Ryan North and Derek Charm

THE MYSTERY OF THE MEANEST TEACHER: A JOHNNY CONSTANTINE GRAPHIC NOVEL is a comedic middle grade graphic novel about two kids with developing magical powers trying to figure out if their schoolteacher is really, secretly, a witch.

After angering a number of hostile spirits in England, 13-year-old magician John Constantine has to find a way out of the country. Persuading his parents to send him to America, John arrives at the Junior Success Boarding School in Salem, Massachusetts. But once there, things don’t exactly get any easier for him. He finds himself to be something of an outcast. And he is convinced that his homeroom teacher, Ms. Kayla, really has it in for him. Worse, he’s convinced that’s she’s really a witch.

Fortunately, John is able to find one kindred spirit at school with whom he’s able to form an alliance–another misfit named Anna, who also happens to have her own developing magical powers. (Spoiler alert: her real name is Zatanna.) John recruits Anna in his efforts to uncover the truth about Ms. Kayla and expose the Meanest Teacher’s real identity to the world.

Joined by a friendly demon named Etrigan, these two amateur sleuths will uncover clues and stumble upon forces beyond their control in a humorous series of misadventures.

My Thoughts:

The superhero villain takes many forms… the monster, the alien, the superfied, and the witch hiding in plain sight. And sometimes you’ve got all four wrapped up in one… AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I hadn’t known much at all about Johnny Constantine before reading this book. I’m pretty well versed in the major DC characters but not this one. Yet, it didn’t take me too long to start to like him. He’s definitely a wiseacre… pair that with the nearly appearing magical stylings of Zatanna, and a subversive demon… and you’ve got some fantastic characters to work with.

One thing to note is that I’ve read several of these middle-grade graphic novels by DC and have yet to be disappointed with the art work. Full of bright color and cartoony fun… Good details and dark when needed… This book is for all ages. I’ve found these to be a great introduction to some of the DC characters I run in to so far.

4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, DC Comics, and the authors for an advanced copy for review.