John Patrick Green’s InvestiGators will always have a special place in my heart as the first graphic novels I enjoyed together with my kids. Green’s pun-laden goofball literal Alligator spies inhabit a world of anthropomorphized animals and humans doing their best to solve essential mysteries like what happened to the best cupcake making chef in town? The funny, charming graphic novels went from read-alouds where I got to work on my voice acting (y’all haven’t lived until you’ve heard my Brash) to books my kids could repeatedly and obsessively read for themselves.
So yeah, the question isn’t should you read InvestiGators. It’s how many times and in what order? I’d argue the continuity of InvestiGators is a bit more intricate than the competition (Dog Man or Big Nate, for example), as moments and characters from previous books will leave you scratching your head if you’re not reading the stories in order. As with most things, kids are smarter than you think, and they’ll probably figure it out, but what is Comic Book Herald good for if not meticulous and arguably unnecessary guides!
Below you’ll find a complete guide to InvestiGators books in order, including extras outside the graphic novels, and of course the Agents of S.U.I.T. spinoffs.
Collects: InvestiGators Book #1
After you’ve read, the first two graphic novels are also available as audiobooks. I was able to track down a copy on Libby that just about saved the last hour of a drive to a family vacation.
InvestiGators: Take the Plunge
Collects: InvestiGators Book #2
Collects: InvestiGators Book #3
InvestiGators: Ants in Our P.A.N.T.S.
Collects: InvestiGators Book #4
This is also about the right time to introduce the short-lived InvestiGators animated shorts on Youtube. Obviously, as a father, I would personally never need to resort to a 15 minute Youtube video set on repeat to buy myself a moment of sanity, but I understand that others might!
InvestiGators: Braver and Boulder
Collects: InvestiGators Book #5
Collects: InvestiGators Book #6
InvestiGators: Agents of S.U.I.T.
Collects: Agents of S.U.I.T. Book #1
Starting in 2023, Green expanded the graphic novel roster with Agents of S.U.I.T. spinoffs, and the creative teams, with contributions from Christopher Hastings (of Dr. McNinja and Unbelievable Gwenpool fame) and Pat Lewis. Each of Agents of S.U.I.T. spinoff follows a supporting character from Investigators taking on a mission of their own. The first entry follows Cilantro, the Chameleon who prefers not to wear a V.E.S.T. While Mango and Brash usually make brief cameos, these are every bit as enjoyable and worthwhile as the mainline InvestiGators comics.
You could probably read the first Agents of S.U.I.T. graphic novel after InvestiGators Book #4 (once Cilantro advances to Field Agent), but in real time, the book wasn’t actually published until after “Heist and Seek.”
Collects: InvestiGators Book #7
InvestiGators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: From Badger to Worse
Collects: Agents of S.U.I.T. Book #2
From this point forward, Green and publisher First Second release one of Agents of S.U.I.T. graphic novel in the first quarter of the year, and a new InvestiGators graphic novel towards the end of the year. Agents of S.U.I.T. number two follows the B-Team, Badgers Bongo and Marsha!
Collects: InvestiGators Book #8
InvestiGators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: Wild Ghost Chase
Collects: Agents of S.U.I.T. Book #3
All the collected Agents of S.U.I.T. team-up in this one, as the B-Team, Cilantro and Zeb the rookie sheep take on a case.
Collects: InvestiGators Book #9
2025’s new graphic novel is structured a bit differently than the preceding series, introducing the Investigators G.R.I.D. technology which encourages readers to solves mysteries along with them. If you’re worried this is more of an activity book than a graphic novel… don’t be! It’s about as much reading as a traditional graphic novel in the series, just with an interactive element mixed in. It’s fun!
Investigators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: Sew Much Trouble
Collects: Agents of S.U.I.T. Book #4
Collects: InvestiGators Book #10
InvestiGators: High-Rise Hijinks
Collects: Free World Book Day Short Story
This is absolutely not a full graphic novel. Do not pay full price! If you can track down a copy, though, it’s a semi-rare piece of bonus InvestiGators comics (much like the Free Comic Book Day teaser issues from First Second that introduced my family to the series. Comic shops for the win!).
If after all that, you need more, check out the InvestiGators website for a short interactive mystery (this also includes a free downloadable coloring book and various games. Honestly, if you’re looking for an InvestiGators activity book, it’s also basically free to print on the website!)
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