
I went to the public library with my daughter yesterday, and while I was there, checked out a copy of
Missile Mouse: Star Crusher the brand new hardcover by rising star cartoonist Jake Parker (
Flight, Agent 44).
I had been looking forward to reading
Star Crusher
for a some time, having become intrigued with Jake's cartoony sequentials in the venerable
Flight
anthologies and seeing more of his talent online and at conventions.
Parker has a knack for sweeping storytelling, polished illustration and imaginative character design... and all three are on full display in
Star Crusher
, which is published by Scholastic, the publisher behind Kazu Kibuishi's OGN series
Amulet
as well as the full-color republishing of the Jeff Smith opus,
Bone
. While not quite the writer that either of those two guys are, Parker has created a very appealing and franchise-worthy character in the iconic action hero Missile Mouse.
In
Star Crusher
, the Galactic Security Agency sends its best agent, the over-the-top loose cannon Missile Mouse, to stop the Rogue Imperium of Planets from getting its clutches on the ultimate weapon of mass destruction: The Star Crusher. Unfortunately for Missile Mouse, the GSA has saddled him with a new partner who may be more trouble than he's worth!
Parker does a nice job of creating fun characters and space creatures for Missile Mouse to interact with, and puts his hero through the paces necessary to create a good story.
Star Crusher
lacks the gravity of the
Amulet
books, and has less meaningful relationships. Missile Mouse is such a badass that no matter what is thrown at him, you seldom feel that he is in any real danger. Still, Parker's creature designs and character development are strong enough to make the book a good read.
Star Crusher
is a self-contained story that doesn't continue per se, but it ends with the possibility of new Missile Mouse adventures on the horizon, which I would definitely welcome.
holla!
samax.
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