Graphic Novel Review: Adventure Time “Masked Mayhem”

Strange things, pranky things are happening in Ooo. But that’s to be expected when Kate Leth and Bridget Underwood weave together an autumn-time graphic novel. Leth and Underwood are both OGs of Adventure Time long-form comics, but this sixth addition is their first collaboration. And the combo is the opposite of “pretty poor practice.”

A mystery is afoot in Adventure Time: Masked Mayhem, and the electric sleuth, BMO, is on the case. Jake digs up the perfect costumes to keep the duo looking fresh to death on Masquerade Day (A fall-festival celebrated all day, all over Ooo). Donning the finest taco and Sherlock attire, they boogie to the Ice King’s brunch. Gazpacho, cowboy wizard, unruly penguins, and criminal mischief are all on the menu – no crepes though.

A “wicked cool dance party, brah!” and a magic frog helped the party-hoppers get to the totes best costume party ever: LSP’s Dance Party Barbeque Blowout Blast. This event is LSP’s chance to regain her place as “the hostess with the mostess’ – and she was, she definitely was. Then drama and criminal mischief turn into arson. Even a Party God is vulnerable to the phantom prankster.

After completely saving everyone, Jake and BMO go to creepy Rosemary’s house. She opens a portal in a creepy fashion, and the heroes wake up in a creepy new place, Marceline’s cave. The digital detective does some skulking in the garden, while Jake the taco waits in line for the haunted house, Marceline’s house. She, dressed as Dracula, personally escorts them through the spook-alley. But it’s her face that ends up red when the party-crasher strikes again – with a less illegal prank. All the clues lead to the Masquerade Day Ball hosted by Princess Bubblegum…

Will they catch the prankster? Who is the culprit? What are Finn and PB’s costumes?

Only a dude with a computer for a brain has a chance of solving the 160-page, full-color, riddle of the Masked Mayhem.

Fun, spanning story. Sharp, vibrant art. Totes worth the read.