The Thief and the Sword

I’ve talked before about how one of my favorite aspects of going to comic conventions is the chance to discover new artists/writers. Not only do I just walk around the floors of the convention center, but I also spend a great deal of time looking through the list of names of people that are going to be there so I can see what they do before hand. It just helps me budget to pick something up from them. One of the artists/writers/comics that I discovered last year at Heroescon while doing this was Cleopatra in Space (I reviewed issue one here) and I was excited that Mike was coming back this year so I could pick up issue #2. This is easily one of my favorite comics to keep up with and after a bit of a hiatus, Mike is once again updating show more the comic online (the current storyline will make up issue #3.) The premise is that Cleopatra VII has been transported from 52BC to the far distant future, where ancient prophecies have proclaimed that she is destined to become the savior of the galaxy. But first…she has to survive.

Cleopatra escaped the Xerc ship, got their new weapon...and now she's crash landed on Hykosis trying to fix her bike. And just when she and Khensu think they'll be able to get away, bandits show up. After a brief battle (where Cleopatra totally kicks their asses) the bandits run away. Course they've also run off with the Xerc's new weapon. The weapon that Cleopatra was supposed to bring back to her planet in order to help save them. What's a girl to do? Go after them and save the world of course.

I think the first thing that caught my attention about the comic was the artwork. There are just so many little details to it that make it standout when looking at it. I love the line quality of the drawings and it really helps create and sell the motion of the characters and bring them to life. It reminds me in some ways of Scott McCloud’s comic Zot! And in between chapter one (issue 1) and chapter 2 (this issue) Mike began adding color to the process, which just enhances everything in my opinion. He still has a lot of nice detail to the drawings, but I love his color choices in this issue. For example, in the panel shown on the left, I love the choice of the blues to illustrate Cleopatra. It certainly captures how she must be feeling, but the contrast between the blue and the red background is just pitch perfect. I also like how he isn’t afraid to use the gutter space or just not depict the borders of the panels entirely. This is something that I see a lot of artists struggle with, but Mike makes the right choices using it with a deft touch to enhance the storyline vs. just going overboard with it.

Although I really like the artwork, the writing is what keeps me coming back for more wanting to know what will happen next. Mike creates characters that live and breathe on the page, that grow throughout the story and show that they have faults, that they make mistakes just like us. Most of all though I enjoy the two main characters, Cleopatra and Khensu, and just how they’re described. Cleopatra isn’t a dainty, sit on her hands queen. Nope, instead she’s a kick ass, gun wielding, energetic kinda gal that likes trying to do things on her own. Granted it doesn’t always work, but hey she’s only 17. And Khensu just wants to do what is best for his young charge. Sure he’s a bit overprotective at times, but she maybe the center of the prophecy to save the world.

Even though the series is progressing slowly, this is a comic that I really enjoy and would recommend to fans of sci-fi, star trek, and adventure. I really look forward to seeing where Mike goes next with the storyline and look forward to reading more about Cleopatra. show less

In the far future, in the Nile Galaxy, Xaius Octavian, the arch enemy of Pharaoh Yasiro’s Research and Military Institute of Defense (P.Y.R.A.M.I.D.) and every human, creature and cat in it, hires a thief to steal the mysterious sword that Cleopatra had recovered, and worst of all he does it in the middle of Yasiro Academy’s big school dance, crashing the party as well as the windows on his way in and out. Cadet Cleopatra is in hot pursuit until school officials call her back, and the thief escapes! Worst of all, there are even further lessons in stealth and patience awaiting our trigger-happy action heroine.

Once again Maihack’s smooth lines and shapes combine with his angular sequence of panels to speed the colorful action of show more the story right along with just enough backstory for his characters to make them believably sympathetic. show less

This is the second book in the Cleopatra in Space series. This has been a very cute and fun middle grade graphic novel science fiction series. I think middle grade readers will really enjoy it, I know my son does and I like it too.

Cleopatra is still settling into life at Yasiro Academy, she is determined to find a way home eventually but also working on making friends and learning new skills at the Academy. Her best friend, Akila, is in the middle of planning a large school dance. Akila is desperately trying to not be jealous of Cleo’s popularity (which Cleo is oblivious to). However things get dicey when during the dance when a thief, Anthony, enters the adjoining compound to steal the Sword of Kebechet. Of course Cleo is determined show more to stop him, even if it means destroying Akila’s wonderful dance.

These are cute and quick science fiction graphic novel reads. I love the bright colorful illustrations, they are easy to follow and fun to look at.

I love Cleopatra, she is fierce and plucky but still a bit insecure about any area in school that doesn’t involve fighting. We also meet Anthony in this book and he was a wonderful character too. Additionally I really enjoy Cleo’s cat Khensu, who is constantly trying to be the voice of reason throughout the book.

This is a great graphic novel for kids who are just starting to read chapter books (and older kids too). My eight year old son loves this series. Of course he also loves cats and there are a lot of cats running the Academy in this book.

Overall a fun and action-paced graphic novel that is a great for middle grade readers. I think adults who enjoy colorful graphic novels with a sci-fi theme will also find this series entertaining. I will definitely continue reading it. If you enjoy this series and are interested in some other middle grade science fiction graphic novel series I would also recommend Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke and Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi. show less

An even better follow-up to the first volume. Artwork is still gorgeous and the chase/fight scenes are so slick here. I liked the darkening tone of the story as we start to learn more about what's going on in this world.

A fun twist on a time travel adventure. A young Cleopatra has been transported into the future and her nemesis is still Octavian. She's attending Yasiro Academy and has to fit her studies in while she is saving the galaxy.

Pure enjoyment.

I remember the first one as being funnier.

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