The Secret of the Fang (Meesh the Bad Demon 2)

What worked:
Meesh has become the Guardian of the Underworld but she lacks confidence in her abilities. This is understandable in new heroes so it’s nice to see she’s not an immediate expert. Meesh’s eyes turn red in the illustrations to let readers know she’s tapping into her powers. Meesh has several friends who are willing to help and it takes her a while to realize she doesn’t need to save everyone by herself. Princess Nouna is a fairy who is trying to shake off her image as a media personality. Xavier is a demon who feels less than adequate when he compares his talents with the others. All three of these main characters undergo growth and transformation as they try to defend the Underworld together.
The Underworld is full of drama as a result of previous injustices. Characters are comprised of demons, fairies, and demon-fairies and demon-fairies are the outcasts. Assumptions and prejudices are aimed at the demon-fairies but most of the current characters seem unaware of them. Meesh isn’t happy with what she learns and she’s determined to make things right. A major obstacle is the new leader of the demon-fairies is focused on revenge and doesn’t have any plans to get along with the other creatures. A new weapon is nearing completion that will wipe out everyone in the Underworld.
The author’s illustrations clearly show the different settings found in the Underworld. The pictures allow readers to visualize the forested Ponderosa, the darker world of Mount Magma, the beauty of Plumeria, and a new underground city. The characters have distinct appearances which help readers instantly recognize them in each scene. This may seem like a small detail but it’s not always the case in graphic novels with creatures. There are many unique characters throughout the story and the author uses noticeable facial expressions to communicate a range of emotions. Several flashbacks enhance the story and different-colored text boxes help to differentiate the past from the present.
What didn’t work as well:
The backstory isn’t immediately evident if you haven’t read the previous book. Meesh is Guardian of the Underworld but the meaning and significance of that is not immediately evident. She’s the one demon able to fly but it’s not clear what her other abilities might be. Also, there are graphic panels without words where what’s happening isn’t clear.
The final verdict:
It’s helpful for young readers to see dynamic characters grow into better versions of themselves. The story shares the importance of kindness and forgiveness. Overall, this graphic novel presents a thoughtful tale and I recommend you give it a shot.