My Rating
“Aporia”
Ever since Ruby Takoda was a young girl, she wanted to reach outer space. Those nights when her mother would read stories to her about far away planets filled with adventurers battling intergalactic monsters were Ruby’s favorite memories as a child. It was one event, in particular, that would inspire the space-crazed child to pursue a life beyond the stars.
In 2009, Ruby rushed down the stairs into the dining room where her mother and father were about to eat supper. Hunger had no place in the girl’s mind as a historical meteor shower was taking place outside at that very moment. It would take little persuasion from the girl who slept wearing a toy space helmet every night to convince her parents that food was less important than an evening of scientific wonder. Were they crazy?
A parent’s love is unconditional when their children have a passion for learning something new. After the longest ten minutes of Ruby’s life, the Takoda family made camp on the roof of their old Victorian home. It was there, as they watched the flashing meteors streak across the sky, when Ruby asked her father if she could ever go to space. A smile gleamed on the little girl’s face when her father said these words.
“You can do whatever you want, Rubes. Remember, we’re always where we chose to be.”
Can mission commander Ruby Takoda save her crew from a fiery death as they approach their scientific objectives? What ancient secret lies below the desert sands of both Mars and Earth? Who is the hooded figure hunting those who guard the source of universal consciousness? Collect the series to find out!
Reviewer Notes
I want to thank Brandon Ellison over at Stellar 9 Studios for presenting me with a preview copy of their newest comic book series “Space Pop Cats”. As a collector, reader, and part-time reviewer, I’m always glad to help independent artists promote and give feedback on their products. To purchase the mentioned comic book or to just check out what is going on at Stellar 9 Studios click on the following link.
https://www.stellar9studios.com/spacepopcats
When I started reading this book I had no prior knowledge of the setting or the characters involved. With that said, I really did like the concept and storyline. As a fan of 1980’s comic books and American Saturday morning cartoons, Space Pop Cats Issue #1 has the feel of Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett’s “Tank Girl” (1988) comic book series, with their awesome mutant kangaroos. Then add a pinch of Studio Nue, Inc. television series “Macross” (1982), and NBC’s live action “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” (1979).
For fans of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” or “Biker Mice From Mars”, Space Pop Cats could fall into the same category. However, I would need to read more issues to validate this comparison.
Now for the breakdown. The art by Benjamin Paulus is absolutely gorgeous here. In my opinion, his work blows the competition out of the water. Marvel or DC should hire this guy as soon as possible. Writer Brandon Ellison crafts a very compelling story, and even though I was a bit confused about some of the locations mentioned, I’m certain my questions would be answered by reading Issue #2 of the series. Is Edun II another term for planet Earth? I’m guessing Mangal is the same as Mars? Other than that, I found Space Pop Cats intriguing.
I give the first issue a solid four out of five stars. If you’re a fan of indie and self-published books, I would recommend this series to any reader. Just don’t steal the Crystal of Edun II if you find it!
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