Graphic Novels Where Good Intentions Go Hilariously (or Horribly) Wrong

Can you think of a time you tried to be helpful but only made things worse? You know, when you tried to fix a problem but ended up creating a bigger one? (We’ve all been there.) Some of the best graphic novels feature characters who try their hardest – but their best falls flat, goes sideways, or blows up in their faces. Whether they’re the main characters or goofy sidekicks, these entertaining characters bring humor, heart, or utter chaos to the page. In more serious stories, they give us comic relief. In funny ones, they crank it up a notch. Either way, their good intentions are unforgettable – and occassionally a total disaster.

The Road to Whoops is Paved with Good Intentions

In InvestiGators by John Patrick Green, sewer-loving agents Mango and Brash always want to save the day, but they always seem to end up saving the day by following the wrong leads, placing the wrong suspects under arrest, blowing up the wrong buildings and ultimately blowing their own covers – literally – with a trail of exploding food behind them. Their hearts are in the right place, but their brains? Not always. Yet they always manage to catch the bad guys…eventually…with plenty of laughs along the way.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

In Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse, Effie discovers she’s descended from generations of witches and jumps all-in the world of magic. She wants to help people from the start, but beginner spells don’t always work like they’re supposed to, especially when emotions enter to mix. Effie’s good intentions lead to spell-mishaps, but she is brave and good-hearted.

Oops… But Make It Heroic

Leon from Leon the Extraordinary by Jamar Nicholas has no powers, but that doesn’t stop him from charging headfirst into danger to help others. His big heart sometimes gets him in over his head, but Leon shows that bravery isn’t about being perfect – it’s about showing up and never giving up, even if your cape is imaginary.

They Meant Well, Seriously

In Freestyle by Gale Galligan, all Cory wants is to keep dancing with his crew and make his parents proud – but juggling both is harder than he thought. He skips practices and covers stuff up, hoping everything will turn out okay. Spoiler: it doesn’t. But his mistakes help him confront what really matters, and his growth feels real, honest, and inspiring.

Trying to Help… Accidentally Making Things Worse

The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat is all about wanting to fit in and belong. Christina tries to impress classmates and make her best friend proud, but her choices lead to confusion and embarrassment. Her story is funny, heartfelt, and super relatable for anyone who’s tried a little too hard to do the “right” thing.

The Comic Relief Who Actually Saves the Day

The alien robot kid Hilo by Judd Winick, brings nonstop energy, weird jokes, and giant blasts of chaos to Earth. He’s curious and always trying to help – even if that means punching through a wall or zapping something by accident. In a this graphic novel series with deep emotional beats, Hilo’s sunny spirit and endless determination bring light to the darkest moments.

Me? The Villain?!

In Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee, Lora wants to keep the magic of childhood forever; her intentions seem sweet, but they lead her to isolation and confusion. Her wish to freeze time creates a lonely kind of world until she learns what growing up really means. Good is sometimes so close to not-so-good, and that’s what makes her journey so beautiful.

The Best of Intentions, The Strangest Results

In The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell and friends, a group of neighborhood kids create a world of superpowered excitement (as well as one of romance and self-discovery) out of cardboard boxes and their own elevated imaginations. They all just want to have fun, be accepted, and be more than what they are – but things don’t always go smoothly. The misunderstandings, wild inventions, and costume failures are all part of the charm.

Saving the World (Or Breaking It Just a Little)

In Bug Boys by Laura Knetzger, beetle buddies, Stag-B and Rhino-B, go on adventures to learn and grow. They have the best intentions in everything they do, but they sometimes bite off more than they can chew (sometimes literally). Whether working to help a queen or solve a mystery, their motives are pure, and they usually take home a life lesson, even if they stumble a bit along the way.

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time…

In Mister Invincible by Pascal Jousselin, the main character has the power to reach in and out of comic panels to foil crime, but still somehow manages to complicate everything. He’s determined, creative, and completely bonkers, and while he’s trying to help, his hijinks turn the rules of time, space and logic inside out. It’s total chaos – and totally brilliant.

Conclusion: The Heroes of Whoops and Why We Love Them

Some heroes wear capes; others wear sneakers, robes, bug shells, or cardboard armor. The one thing they have in common?  A strong sense of doing what’s right even when they mess it all up first. These characters may stumble against obstacles, say the wrong thing, or take the long, winding road to doing good, but they remind us that good intentions are a kind of superpower, too. They make us laugh, feel, and root for every awkward, brave, misstep they take.

Books Mentioned