ONCE UPON A SPACE-TIME!

A space adventure with extraterrestrials, zero gravity, and a spaceship built inside an asteroid called the Potato, acronym for “Property Of The Alien Transportation Organization.”

In this graphic novel’s preface, set in 2206, an ET exits a spaceship to announce that sometimes UFOs are airplanes, but sometimes, they transport beings like himself. The ET leaves but returns five minutes later to deliver the same message. The pointy-eared beings are all clones named Tobey, and they belong to a group of beings from all across the Milky Way. Thus begins this outer-space episode that emphasizes silliness over plot. Ten years later, Tobey and Cmdr. Gusevich visit The Earth School for Space Mission Preparation and select Petra Novak and Jide Eshetu for a space mission to Mars. Upon their landing, a sentient robot takes them to the Mars Base, where a host of other beings wait to meet them. Petra and Jide enjoy learning about these friendly beings and spending time on Mars. While readers might enjoy Brown’s busy, paneled cartoons and gross humor (snot and toenails are considered edible), they will likely have trouble discerning science facts from science fiction. Throughout this episodic plot, the beings from other worlds function much like humans, reinforcing a bland, we-are-all-alike message rather than providing readers with a provocative take on the meeting of cultures. Petra, Jide, and Cmdr. Gusevich are all characters of color.

A mildly entertaining read for young space enthusiasts.