Reviewed by Taylor Hoffman // @taylorcheckers

There’s a flood of science fiction titles on the comic shop shelves now, and “Kaptara” #1 truly brings something that was missing –– the hip humor of Chip Zdarsky (Howard the Duck, Sex Criminals) and captivating art by Kagen McLeod (Infinite Kung-Fu). This first issue is packaged very well, and, honestly, requires at least two reads. The first page opens where we end, providing a shocking contrast to the opening scene. Time jump is used very effectively in this comic’s layout because it’s clear when we’re switching modes in an off-guard, yet natural pace.

Story by: Chip Zdarsky

Art by: Kagan McLeod

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: April 22, 2015

Price: $3.50

Kaptara unexpectedly strays away from the standard science fiction exploration story. Zdarsky’s promoted this book half-jokingly as a “gay Saga.”  It’s not a total mind-fuck, sure, but there’s plenty of satisfying twists and an obviously strange plan for this series.

The book’s hook is this nostalgia-fueled homage to the Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers adventure days. It’s not too serious or too mocking, Zdarsky’s said his inspiration comes from playing with old action figures. There’s no limit to what those hunks of plastic can do, and now they’ve transcended onto the pages of Kaptara with plenty of adventure in store.

Kaptara hasn’t gotten quite the love it deserves from other tubes of the internet. Reactions range from “eh” to saying it’s too “cobbled together.” Indie comic fans, especially those brimpers out there like myself, know the quality that Zdarsky brings to the page, both as an artist and a cunning linguist. (Sorry not sorry) It seems like puns and tongue-in-cheek comments are inevitable when he’s involved, which is wonderful. It’s a very specific type of constant amusing cynicism. If that’s not your bag, then the flow of the comic might feel awkward.

The basic plot is simple: we’re in the not so distant future and five astronauts in the ship Kanga are documenting the unknown within their universe by scoping out Mars. This routine mission is sucked off course almost immediately. This alone solidifies the difference between “Kaptara” and most space adventures; it’s about documentation, not a life-threatening situation on Earth, no apparent dystopia to escape. It’s more Star Trek than Battlestar Galactica. Our team has, mostly, highly skilled and adept scientists, the pilot is a clear leader, and then there’s Keith.

It’s refreshing to see how most of the characters introduced in the beginning are people of color, yet it’s just natural. It’s a good future where race and sexuality aren’t the focus of the story, though they are treated like real round characters instead of flat stand-ins. Each character fills a specific role, and unfortunately, they are doomed. That’s not a spoiler, by the way, it leads us to what the real story becomes. We’ve got a very sound crew on board: Samantha, the tactical one who understands the ship’s mechanics; Laurette, the don’t-take-shit doctor; Casey, the swoll and physicist; Lance, the Flash Gordon of space piloting; and last, but most importantly, Keith, helpless academic on his first mission.

The protagonist Keith Kanga, is an openly gay Indian character, but he’s not tokenized for the sake of diversity. He’s the Holden Caulfield of space. He’s the youngest and most inexperienced; therefore, he’s the most whiny, sarcastic, and out of place. He’s painfully annoying at first, but most of his quips are defense mechanisms. The ship is named Kanga, so that adds depth to the fact that Keith is only on the mission because he basically begs his aunt to join. However, he tells it to the crew that his aunt asked him to be there. He’s not accepted into the inner circle, nor does he really try to involve himself except for repeating his credentials as “the super serious science guy.” Well, it’s shit luck for the crew as they are thrown off track and pulled into an unexpected asteroid… hole?  Quickly and bloodily, it’s Keith and Lance who survive this disaster and must survive together in a mysterious and uneasy new land. The different approaches of these two characters are clearly flight and fight. Now, they must face a truly new form of reality.

Zdarsky’s writing is sharp and complimented so well by McLeod’s art. The posturing of the characters are spot on for every sequence, whether it’s relaxed or bursting out into the cosmos, body language communicates what words can’t capture. The character designs are fantastic because everyone feels and looks so real in their realm, but still cartoonish and not approaching the uncanny valley. The coloring is the most impressive take away from this issue. Contrast between inside the ship, which is metal and cold, transforms into a new world of bright and eerie magentas, yellows, and blues. The monsters that we encounter are chimeras bursting with unfamiliar and intense luminosity.

When things turn to the strangest point, Keith learns that he’s in the fourth realm of a new universe, Kaptara. Here we see the best parts of the story that will continue the journey forward to fight a voracious inter-dimensional beast Skullthor whose status is “Evil. Single?” and uses his beard to cover his genitals, yes, seriously. This is a topsy turvy acid trip where a Queen slightly resembles Miyazaki and a Prince similar to Conan on steroids are characters. Keith has to get home, but what is home now?