DC has announced a new early-readers graphic novel, Aquamanatee, by Ben Clanton, creator of the best-selling Narwhal and Jelly books, which kicked off the recent boom of graphic novels for readers aged 5-7. Clanton and artist Cassandra Federman have created a cute and funny story about Marlow the manatee, a sweet-tempered blunderer who spends his days eating and sleeping and has never left his saltwater bay. Marlow dreams of emulating his hero Aquaman, and in the best superhero-comics tradition, he suddenly gets superpowers and has to help Aquaman on a mission, forcing him to confront the question of whether he is truly ready to be a superhero. The 72-page hardcover will go on sale on September 2, 2025, with an MSRP of $12.99.

Clanton’s first Narwhal and Jelly book, Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea, won a 2017 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Early Readers, and the books are consistent best-sellers (see “Top Kids Graphic Novel Franchises – Fall 2021”). He is also the creator of Tater Tales (see “Mutant Potatoes”). Federman is a writer and illustrator whose debut graphic novel, Story Spinners: A Sisterly Tale of Danger, A Princess and Her Crew of Lady Pirates, will be published in March 2025.

Click Gallery below for interior art!