Best Mystery Comic Books Under 20 (2026): 5 Compared

A rainy afternoon and a reader who wants one more case: the best mystery comic books under 20 deliver a full mystery. We compared five mystery comics for young readers.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Find a Missing Star by Lewman	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Roanoke Colony by Schweizer	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Batman: Hush by Loeb	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Court of Owls by Snyder	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Shadow Jumper by Forster	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Find a Missing Star by Lewman

Nickelodeon·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 224-page SpongeBob SquarePants mystery for reading age 8 to 12 years.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 3 in the SpongeBob SquarePants Mysteries series.
• The listing states reading age 8 to 12 years and grade level 3 to 7.
• 224 pages of illustrated middle-grade mystery.

Cons

• Published April 8, 2025; later titles may not be reflected.
• The TV tie-in may not suit readers new to SpongeBob.
• The 224-page length may daunt newer readers.

2

Roanoke Colony by Schweizer

Chris Schweizer·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 128-page illustrated history mystery about the Roanoke colony, reading age 9 to 13 years.

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Pros

• A real historical mystery: the vanished Roanoke colony.
• Created with historians and subject experts.
• Supports classroom and homeschool use.

Cons

• Reading age 9 to 13 years but grade level Preschool to 3; they do not match.
• The 128-page length is the shortest of the full-data picks.
• History-first readers may prefer fiction mysteries.

3

Batman: Hush by Loeb

Jeph Loeb·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 312-page Batman mystery in the DC Compact Comics softcover edition.

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Pros

• Collects Batman #608 to 619 plus an interlude from Wizard #0.
• 312-page softcover, 5.5 by 8.5 in.
• Published August 6, 2024.

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated.
• The story leans on Batman lore new readers may not know.
• Crime and villain violence drive the plot, per the description.

4

Court of Owls by Snyder

Scott Snyder·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 304-page Batman saga about a secret conspiracy in Gotham.

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Pros

• Collects Batman (2011) #1 to 11, a complete story arc.
• 304-page softcover, 5.5 by 8.5 in.
• Published June 4, 2024.

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated.
• The description mentions brutal murders; the content is dark.
• New readers may struggle without prior Batman knowledge.

5

Shadow Jumper by Forster

J M Forster·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rooftop mystery for readers aged 9 and up, about a boy searching for his missing scientist father.

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Pros

• Friendship and a search for answers drive the story, according to the description
• Book 1 of 2, and the listing says Book 2 is available now
• The listing states 210 pages

Cons

• Grade level is listed as Kindergarten and up beside a 9 to 12 reading age
• The description mentions a sun allergy, burns and loss, so check the themes first
• The reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher

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More picks to compare

• Batman & Scooby-Doo by CohenA 128-page Batman and Scooby-Doo mystery for reading age 8 to 12.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 23 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. Two of the five picks state a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best mystery comic books under 20

Match the reading age to the reader

Find a Missing Star states reading age 8 to 12 years; the Roanoke Colony states 9 to 13 years. The Batman books state no age, so preview them for younger readers. See the mystery comic books list.

Series or standalone

Find a Missing Star is book 1 of 3; Hush collects Batman #608 to 619 and Court of Owls collects Batman (2011) #1 to 11. Both are complete arcs.

History mystery or fiction mystery

The Roanoke Colony is a nonfiction history mystery about real vanished colonists. For more true-story mysteries, see the mystery novels list.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age and grade level on the listing against the actual reader.
• Confirm which issues or series number the volume collects.
• Match the tone to the reader: funny cases, history cases and dark Gotham cases differ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pick is best for a new reader?

Find a Missing Star: book 1 of 3, reading age 8 to 12 years.

Are the Batman books suitable for kids?

Neither Batman listing states a reading age; the Court of Owls description mentions brutal murders, so preview for younger readers.

Which pick teaches real history?

The Roanoke Colony: a 128-page illustrated history mystery about the vanished colonists.

Still deciding? Our top pickFind a Missing Star by Lewman

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Related lists

See every Fiction list and all Thrillers and Mystery lists.

More lists: mystery comic books, mystery novels, mystery books with dogs.