Review - Agent Harrier: This Book Will Self-destruct

Agent Harrier: This Book Will Self-Destruct by Ben Sanders, published by Little Tiger

We're always on the lookout for new comics and graphic novels and as soon as I saw this one I knew we had to have it - a spy dog on a time sensitive mission to save the book itself from destruction sounded like lots of fun and the red, black and white palette is so striking and works so well with the concept.

A comic twist on the classic "I-work-alone" super-spy thriller, Agent Harrier is charged with finding and defusing the bomb that's been planted in the book before it explodes. After false starts, wrong turns, a (very literal) Red Herring, a shocking twist, a dramatic defusing and an ending that sees us primed for further adventures this is a thoroughly enjoyable book that feels especially perfect for fans of The Bad Guys.

I also really love Harrier's sob-story back-story and the way we see him (in true tough-exterior, need-no-partner, special agent style) soften and end the book with a (much-needed despite his protestations) partner at his side (well for all of a minute before he hits that 'don't press that button' button!) It feels like him and Red Herring will make a brilliant double act in future books and I'm sure we've not seen the end of the book's villain either.

There's a really great mix of humour in the book, with a blend of silliness, slapstick, wit and wordplay, giving it a broad appeal. To this end, some of the references and more subtle humour went over Peapod's head, but older readers (and grown-up reading-it-alouders like us!) would appreciate it and there was plenty in the visuals and the broader plot that meant he still enjoyed it.

 

On that note, Sanders also makes great use of the comic format in his use of visual humour, dialogue and the interplay between the two. It really feels like his experience writing picture books and the knowledge of how words and pictures rely on each other in such a visual medium has set him up perfectly for this style of book and we can't wait for more from him.

 

Speaking of the visuals, the illustration and design feel really slick and stylish. The colours are impactful and the use of text, well-thought out layouts and  bold, double page spreads make this feel really unique and smart. 

We especially like the end pages showing Agent Harrier's spy kit - Peapod really enjoyed reading what all of the gadgets were and what they did (he is now hankering after a spy kit and Agent Harrier costumer though, so...er...thanks for that!)

More please! 

 

 

Peapod Says:

"I liked the bit when the red herring was tied up and then he figured out the jumble of letters. He found out it was the SPOILER ALERT!!! I liked the pictures and I liked the Narrator. I liked the page with all the ticks so you have to say "tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick......." - it was A LOT of ticks."