World-famous cupcake maker Gustavo Mustachio hasn-t been seen in two weeks, and Mango and Brash, two alligators-wearing V.E.S.T. (Very Exciting Spy Technology) for their work with S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Teams)-are dispatched to Gustavo-s bakery, Batter Down, to find out more. Brash is level-headed, buoyant Mango can-t resist puns and wordplay (-We-re alligators. SNAPPY is what we do best!-), and both dive into toilets and travel through city sewers in service of the case. As the head scientist at the Science Factory across town prepares to announce a great discovery, a mysterious customer delivers a giant birthday cake from Batter Down, leading to the Science Factory-s explosion and adding another facet to the mystery. Helicopters, many-armed gadgets, and wild schemes proliferate this graphic novel series opener as origin stories explain characters- behavior (and occasionally slow the story-s frenetic pace). In high-intensity colors, straightforward panel artwork by Green (Hippopot­a­mister) offers plenty of slapstick gags to Brash and Mango-s tale. Fast-paced fun for the bad pun and dorky joke crowd: -Now let-s flush ourselves down the nearest toilet and GATER DONE!- Ages 7-10. (Feb.)