THE FUZZY APOCALYPSE

When a planet that hosts a nonhuman civilization is doomed, can explorer Finn Caspian save the day?

Finn Caspian, the first child born in space and the Chief Detective for Explorers Troop 301, lives aboard the Famous Marlowe 280 Interplanetary Exploratory Space Station. This first offering in a proposed series drops readers right into the action as Finn and his friends and troopmates Abigail Obaro, Elias Carreras, Vale Gil, and Foggy the robot are tasked with preventing the imminent explosion of a planet inhabited by nonhuman individuals with four eyes apiece, no mouths, and translucent heads. The kids are soon split between two factions on the doomed planet and unsure whom to believe. Will the group manage to resolve their rift and work together again? Inspired by the podcast of the same name, this heavily illustrated, fast-paced, and plot-driven tale is high on action but slim in character development, perhaps gone missing in translation from one medium to another. Finn, who presents White, is the oldest member of the group but not its leader; dark-skinned, decisive Abigail is. Even though she’s the captain, Abigail doesn’t receive much attention from the author, leaving her a one-dimensional vehicle who constantly propels Finn. Elias and Vale also appear to be kids of color. Sequel The Accidental Volcano publishes simultaneously.

A clever concept that falls flat.