The new middle grade graphic novel DC's Misfits of Magic, written and illustrated by Matthew Dow Smith, needs just four words to convince readers young and old to pick it up immediately:

Magic. Library. Summer. Camp.

Even in the DC Universe, those words together should be enough to get any kid excited for the summer. Almost any kid, that is, except Rikki, a preteen supernatural detective-in-training who has a talent for unleashing chaos and getting kicked out of just about every other summer camp in town. Ensconced safely inside a simultaneously mystical and mundane library with high schooler Zatanna Zatara as a camp counselor, what could go wrong this time? Well…

With a fresh cast of characters, many inspired by DC’s magical heroes and villains both familiar and delightfully obscure, DC’s Misfits of Magic will speak to anyone who’s had a tough time looking for a place where they fit in.

Rikki and her adoptive brother Ross are orphans growing up in a monastery, where seven mystical monks train them to protect the Earth from dark supernatural forces. Other than that, they’re basically average tweens, give or take investigating the occasional threat that could mean the end of the world. No biggie. After being kicked out of all the other summer camps thanks to an explosion or two, the siblings find themselves stuck in the library for a supernatural summer program under the supervision of their creative camp counselor, Ms. Zatara.

While Ross makes friends right away, natural loner Rikki isn’t enthused about making tissue box fairy feeders or being cooped up and surrounded by nothing but books for three months. But when she meets a kindred spirit in Danny—also called Blue Devil—things start to get more interesting. He gives her a crash course on the other campers thanks to the magic user trading cards he made for fun. Arion, Amethyst, Kid Fate and Fauna Faust are just a few of the other kids at magic camp, all given a tween makeover for an imaginative spin on some classic DC characters. (Special shoutout to Jonni Constantine, who plays in a band with Zatanna.)

Rikki and Danny explore the library and encounter the ghostly Boston Brand, who’s now known as Deadkid after meeting his end in a microfiche incident. Together with fellow camper June Moone, they team up to look for clues about strange goings-on inside the library, from flying books to the cutest little toothy demon you’ve ever seen. As they investigate, the supernatural team of oddballs finds something even more unexpected among the bookshelves: new friendships.

Middle-grade readers looking for a different type of protagonist will appreciate Rikki. She’s smart, capable and fearless, but she hides her loneliness behind a grouchy and aloof demeanor. She tries to save the world by herself most of the time—typically resulting in things going up in flames and/or various other disasters—and it’s not until Rikki accepts the help and expertise of her new friends that the day is saved. It takes a different kind of bravery to risk reaching out to others to become teammates and friends, and for these misfits of magic, it ultimately spells success.

Rikki learns what it means to be part of a team, and young readers can find some inspiration in her story to go out and do the same. As for grownup readers like myself who enjoy a good craft project, Zatanna’s ideas like tie-dye sorcerer cloaks, nightmare catchers and papier-mâché cauldrons are different kind of inspiration all their own. Seriously, where can I sign up for magic library summer camp?
 

DC's Misfits of Magic by Matthew Dow Smith is now available in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and as a digital graphic novel.

Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DC.com, and the author of several nonfiction books about some of your favorite film franchises. Follow her on X at @kelly_knox and Bluesky at @kelly-knox.com to talk superheroes, comics and pop culture.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Kelly Knox and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.