Review: Cleopatra in Space Vol. 1 by Mike Maihack
Cleopatra in Space Vol. 1: Target Practice
by Mike Maihack
It’s just another normal day in Ancient Egypt for fifteen-year-old Cleopatra VII as she sneaks off to play with her friend Gozi. Things take a turn for the strange when the pair discovers an ancient doorway to the unknown. Inside, Cleopatra finds a mysterious tablet that bathes her in a bright light and takes her into a far-off galaxy somewhere in the distant future. Destined to save the Nile Galaxy the power-hungry Xerx, Cleopatra is enrolled in a new school so that she can be acclimated to her new world. But can a princess of ancient Egypt be transformed into a space warrior?
Cleopatra is a fun heroine, very clever and energetic. She’s very much a tomboy, constantly getting in trouble due to her curiosity. Like most young heroes, she initially resists the claims that she is the savior of the galaxy but by the end of her first adventure it’s clear to all that she’s something exceptional.
Reader be aware that she is NOTHING like her historical counterpart. Space-trotting Cleopatra is deadly with a slingshot or a ray gun but dreadful at pretty much any academic pursuit, while real Cleopatra was renowned for her intellect and facility with languages. As one who studied Egyptian history in college, I found it slightly distracting and wondered why the author attached his creation to such a famous queen since he obviously wasn’t drawing on anything from Cleopatra VII’s personality or biography to create her. Space Cleopatra is a modern, 21st century girl wearing a snake headband in her cute pageboy hairdo. But I’m not the intended audience - that’s elementary school kids - and the comic has to be regarded as pure fantasy, plain and simple. So let it go, historians. Let it go.
The art is absolutely top of the line. It’s engaging and bright, with well-designed, immersive backgrounds that make the world seem real. Cleopatra is cute as a button, if not quite believable as a fifteen-year-old (she looks ten, tops) and her facial reactions are varied and expressive. The pacing and panel work in the action scenes are great, and balance nicely with the moodier lighting used in quieter moments.
It’s fun to explore the world of Planet Mayet, a futuristic tomorrowland clearly inspired by the architecture of Ancient Egypt. Towering pyramids and space bikes that look rather like sphinxes are found everywhere. While a variety of aliens and humanoid figures appear in the backgrounds, Mayet’s government appears to be run by talking cats. Cleopatra’s main babysitter, a historian cat named Khensu, is great fun, and it is hoped that the others will be fleshed out in future volumes.
4 out of 5 stars
To read more about Cleopatra in Space Vol. 1, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2014: People of the Great Journey by O. R. Melling
2013: Sailor Moon Vol. 10 by Naoko Takeuchi
2012: Fashionista Piranha on hiatus until June 9th
2011: The Daughter of Siena by Marina Fiorato
2010: LEGO: A Love Story by Jonathan Bender
2009: The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory
by Mike Maihack
It’s just another normal day in Ancient Egypt for fifteen-year-old Cleopatra VII as she sneaks off to play with her friend Gozi. Things take a turn for the strange when the pair discovers an ancient doorway to the unknown. Inside, Cleopatra finds a mysterious tablet that bathes her in a bright light and takes her into a far-off galaxy somewhere in the distant future. Destined to save the Nile Galaxy the power-hungry Xerx, Cleopatra is enrolled in a new school so that she can be acclimated to her new world. But can a princess of ancient Egypt be transformed into a space warrior?
Cleopatra is a fun heroine, very clever and energetic. She’s very much a tomboy, constantly getting in trouble due to her curiosity. Like most young heroes, she initially resists the claims that she is the savior of the galaxy but by the end of her first adventure it’s clear to all that she’s something exceptional.
Reader be aware that she is NOTHING like her historical counterpart. Space-trotting Cleopatra is deadly with a slingshot or a ray gun but dreadful at pretty much any academic pursuit, while real Cleopatra was renowned for her intellect and facility with languages. As one who studied Egyptian history in college, I found it slightly distracting and wondered why the author attached his creation to such a famous queen since he obviously wasn’t drawing on anything from Cleopatra VII’s personality or biography to create her. Space Cleopatra is a modern, 21st century girl wearing a snake headband in her cute pageboy hairdo. But I’m not the intended audience - that’s elementary school kids - and the comic has to be regarded as pure fantasy, plain and simple. So let it go, historians. Let it go.
The art is absolutely top of the line. It’s engaging and bright, with well-designed, immersive backgrounds that make the world seem real. Cleopatra is cute as a button, if not quite believable as a fifteen-year-old (she looks ten, tops) and her facial reactions are varied and expressive. The pacing and panel work in the action scenes are great, and balance nicely with the moodier lighting used in quieter moments.
It’s fun to explore the world of Planet Mayet, a futuristic tomorrowland clearly inspired by the architecture of Ancient Egypt. Towering pyramids and space bikes that look rather like sphinxes are found everywhere. While a variety of aliens and humanoid figures appear in the backgrounds, Mayet’s government appears to be run by talking cats. Cleopatra’s main babysitter, a historian cat named Khensu, is great fun, and it is hoped that the others will be fleshed out in future volumes.
4 out of 5 stars
To read more about Cleopatra in Space Vol. 1, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2014: People of the Great Journey by O. R. Melling
2013: Sailor Moon Vol. 10 by Naoko Takeuchi
2012: Fashionista Piranha on hiatus until June 9th
2011: The Daughter of Siena by Marina Fiorato
2010: LEGO: A Love Story by Jonathan Bender
2009: The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory