Comic Crush Saturday: One Accidental Assassin, Three Truant Boys, and an X-Men Girlie Coping

Welcome to Comic Crush Saturday, our feature focused on the graphic elements of the book world. Comics became a huge part of my life a few years ago when I started reviewing them (and comic related TV shows) on Forever Young Adult. You’ll find mini-reviews, what we’ve read recently, and more so check it out!

It has been a big few weeks for comics, graphic novels, animated series, and big screen heroes. Let’s get into it.

On the Page

Absent by Rex Ogle

We have been following Rex Ogle since before Free Lunch and were all in for his latest book, Absent. Absent follows three boys, Manny, Calvin, and Liam, each narrated in a different format: verse, comics panels, and prose journal. Rex brings his comic script skills, his love of poetry, and even 2Pac into a story about truancy that is really about all the reasons kids do not make it to school unrelated to desire to be there, and why a system that punishes absence without asking why is failing the kids it is supposed to serve. The adults are not villains but they are not perfect either, which is exactly what kids need to see. The forming friendship between the three boys is the emotional center. Also, the youth are claiming our music and in this case it works beautifully.

Accidental Assassin Vol. 1 by Molly Ni Chéileachair and Vi

Bonnie is a sweet, bubbly office worker who loves all things feminine and cute, including earrings shaped like fruit. She also happens to be a somewhat trained assassin thanks to her father’s unusual approach to homeschooling. When a late-night attack at the office reveals her skills, she gets recruited by the Fianna, a covert organization of assassins inspired by legendary Irish heroes. Her cold new partner Ronan does not think she belongs there. The art marries manga-inspired linework with a western webtoon style and the combination works really well (it made me giggle while reading!). We get peeks into the assassin organization and the criminal underworld without getting all the answers, which means we absolutely need volume two. Also someone please give Bonnie’s wardrobe to me immediately.

Teen Titans: Together by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

Seven years. Six books. The finale is here. I got an ARC of the first Teen Titans book and have been along for the whole ride, which is a funny thing to say given that I had never watched the Cartoon Network show (I am, however, a big Dick Grayson fan). Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo built an accessible entry point to these characters, and Gabriel’s art remains one of the most distinctive and beautiful things happening in YA graphic novels. I love Dick Grayson and seeing him alongside Damian in this series has been such a treat. Together sticks the landing. Sad it is over. Very excited that the creative team is moving on to Young Justice: Kid Flash and Blue Beetle next.

On the Screen

Spider-Man: Brand New Day & X-Men ’97 Season 2

I watched Spider-Man Noir before seeing Brand New Day, you know, just in case they tossed some Noir in there, and now they’ve announced it’s canceled. Womp womp. Brand New Day itself though is so good. Peter Parker is older, alone, and trying to hold New York together while everyone he loves has moved on without remembering him. I am very excited to see how Marvel pulls the universe together in Doomsday, and if they throw X-Men ’97 fans even a crumb in that movie I will lose my mind. Doubtful. But I will be there opening night regardless.

Stranger Things: Tales from ’85

We are going to Halloween Horror Nights and I wanted to get back into the Stranger Things world before we went, so I sat down with Tales from ’85. It does not add much to the lore, kind of like the tie-in books haven’t, but it was genuinely nice to be with the characters again. It is lighter than the main series, very much in the vein of a Saturday morning cartoon, which the Duffer Brothers said was intentional. The criticism is fair but also sometimes you just want to hang out in Hawkins. My only note is that there is never, ever enough Steve Harrington and I will die on that hill.

Resident Alien

I never read the comic but I did watch every episode of Resident Alien and cried at the finale having finally come back to the show. Full tears. I wanted it to go on forever. If you have not watched this show please go watch this show because Alan Tudyk is just genuinely the best.

Accidental Assassin, Vol. 1: A WEBTOON Unscrolled Graphic Novel

by Molly Ni Chéileachair, VI
Published by: Webtoon Unscrolled
on September 1, 2026
Bookshop
Goodreads

A fast-paced action comedy series debut about rookie assassin Bonnie, perfect for fans of The Mafia Nanny, Spy x Family, and the romantic thrills of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Set in present day Ireland and featuring manga-inspired artwork, this graphic novel based on the hit WEBTOON comic Accidental Assassin features fast-paced action, a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and fun hijinks.

"Readers who enjoy the comedy and action of Spy x Family and Romantic Killer will enjoy this enemies-to-lovers action story." —Booklist

To her peers, office worker Bonnie isn’t cut out for a high-powered corporate life. Sweet, bubbly, and a lover of all things feminine and cute, she hardly fits in. Little do her coworkers know, Bonnie had an unusual, isolated upbringing where her father taught her a very uncommon curriculum.

Then a late-night office attack reveals the unexpected: Bonnie is as sharp and capable as she is deadly.

Catching the attention of a secret organization of assassins called Fianna, she is recruited as an apprentice. Inspired by a group of legendary Irish heroes, the Fianna are a covert, highly trained group dedicated to defending the world from chaos. Through any means necessary.

In this dangerous new world, Bonnie thrives—but she still hasn’t won everyone over. Ronan Clarke, the organization’s top operative, sees her as a joke. Forced to work together, Bonnie fights to prove herself to her cold new partner—no matter what it takes.

This first volume collects episodes 1 to 14 of the hit WEBTOON Accidental Assassin.