Graphic Novel Review: MEESH THE BAD DEMON Vol. 2 is as historical as it is fantastical

Meesh the Bad Demon: The Secret of the Fang

Writer/Artist: Michelle Lam
Colorist: Lauren “Perry” Wheeler
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 23, 2024

After saving their respective cities from poisoned lava that turned everything to stone, fairy princess Nouna, werewolf Chai, and demons Meesh and Xavier want life to go back to normal… but the villains behind the poisoning aren’t done yet. When the same poison begins to infect the forest in Ponderosa, where Chai and her pack fled from a similar threat six months ago, the group must stop the Big Bad to save the day.

The problem is, no one is quite who they seem—and the kids soon learn that trusting adults isn’t always the best choice.

Meesh the Bad Demon: The Secret of the Fang continues Michelle Lam’s fantastical, moving coming-of-confidence story about its eponymous young hero and her determination to make things right no matter how hard she has to struggle. With the help of her friends, whose vastly different backgrounds and unique skills collectively give them a leg up on any enemy, Meesh knows they can prevent history from repeating itself. Her resolve is heartfelt and impactful, establishing the stakes from the jump.

Lam pulls from her Chinese-American heritage in every aspect of this book, from the character design to the history of the world. The first book establishes that fairies and demons have hated each other for decades, and the second volume explores how fairies and demons violently eschewed fairy-demons, forcing them to build their own society from scratch because they weren’t accepted anywhere else. This plot is heavy, but still accessible for all ages, which makes it an excellent learning and discussion point for middle-grade readers.

Lam’s ability to write complex stories with complex characters who fall into the morally gray area more than being strictly “good” or “bad” makes Meesh the Bad Demon incredibly special. The pacing is also solid, giving emotional moments space to breathe and building the tension in action sequences for hard-hitting character moments and plot reveals. 

Lam’s art evokes her animation work, with each page feeling more like a 3D cartoon than a 2D comic—a hard thing to pull off, yet Lam makes it look so easy in this series. Lauren “Perry” Wheeler’s vibrant colorwork contributes significantly to that feeling, adding to the rush of each page turn—especially in uneasy moments. 

Meesh the Bad Demon and Meesh the Bad Demon: The Secret of the Fang are available everywhere books are sold.