The Fall 2024 K-Comics Guide

Mystery of the Forest Fingers

What's It About? 

Strange fingers are growing from the ground in the forest outside of school! Some kids think it's zombies rising from the grave, others say they're poisonous mushrooms, but everybody's staying far, far away… except for the Mystery Science Detectives! The after-school club is on the case, ready to solve any mystery using the power of science.

Mystery of the Forest Fingers has a story by Chi-hyeon Ahn and art by Gyung-hyo Kang, with English translation by Gloria Ohe. This volume was lettered by Comicraft. Published by Graphic Universe (September 10, 2024).

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Is It Worth Reading?

Rebecca Silverman
Rating:

The first question you need to ask yourself is this: am I in elementary school or do I know an elementary schooler who's into science and mysteries? If neither is true, this book may not be for you. On the plus side, if either or both are, The Case of the Forest Fingers is a great choice. This Korean edutainment manhwa is about three kids and their (nontalking) cat who have established a school club to use science to solve mysteries, and they do it with aplomb. Each kid has a specialty, the cat is cute, and they nicely explain everything with the power of Science. Bill Nye would be very proud of them.

The case they're tasked with solving comes from a kid on the baseball team. He lost his ball in the woods and went to retrieve it when he found a creepy abandoned cabin and some very freaky zombie hands. He decided to seek out the club, despite school lore maintaining that ghosts staff it. Eager to have something to do and show off their expertise, the club members jump into action, beginning by retracing the boy's steps. Kihan leads them fearlessly, Hannah provides the muscle, and Terry has a drone and technological know-how, meaning that most of their bases are well covered to solve the case.

The science is good – if you've spent a lot of time outdoors or reading science books, not much will surprise you, but this is awesome for someone just discovering the weird world of mold and fungus. It showcases how fascinating nature can be and some of the forms it can take, from freaky mushrooms to stinky molds, and even if your elementary-aged reader isn't outdoorsy, I could see this making them want to take a walk in the woods. Alongside the mystery elements, the book has interactive elements (with an answer key in the back) and sections of definitions with pictures, so it is both educational and entertaining. It's not likely to wow older readers who aren't fans of kiddy lit, but if you've got a science kid in your life – or a mystery one – this is a good choice to get or keep them reading.

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Jean-Karlo Lemus
Rating:

The Case of the Forest Fingers is a must-read for younger audiences. Libraries and classrooms would do well to have a copy of this manga on their shelves. The kid protagonists aren't the deepest, but they don't need to be; they're a trio of kids who solve science mysteries in their school. The book constantly introduces new obstacles to our trio that are quickly solved with a bit of quick thinking and education that never feels heavy-handed, and the book even offers a few puzzles and quizzes for kids to try while they're reading. I appreciate the effort in finding a scientific explanation for everything; it wasn't monsters attacking Terry's drone but a crow. The house in the woods smells because it's mold infested. The kids weren't dragged down a cliff but slipped on slick moss. The answers are the kind of thing that are sure to fascinate kids and make them curious about other stuff. Best of all, the story is self-contained—even if it does set up another mystery to be explored in the second volume. I also appreciate that the authors were able to weave in some silly anecdotes at the end of the book as another mystery, albeit a much goofier one with lower stakes.

The art in The Case of the Forest Fingers is goofy, but I imagine it'll be fine for kids. This book is just about perfect for teachers or parents trying to get kids into reading (especially if they potentially want to get kids interested in science or comics). Strongly recommended.

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