The outer space cooking show comic comes to an end. It seems like just yesterday I was interviewing the creator who actually hinted at the events in this issue. We review, but is it good?
Space Battle Lunchtime #8 (Oni Press)
So what’s it about? The summary reads:
The final battle. Peony vs. Melonhead, the sabotaging chef with his own considerable chops. Anything that can go wrong does, and Peony finds herself fighting against time—and a defective oven—to get her cake to the judges! Who will go on to victory in this final issue of Space Battle Lunchtime?
Why does this book matter?
Aside from it being one of the cutest and fun comics in the last year, Natalie Riess is delivering a solid cooking comic, which you just don’t see that often. It’s also the concluding chapter of an incredibly endearing series.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Cool idea.
Peony and Neptunia’s relationship continues to feel quite genuine and really cute. A scene between them opens the book and sets up the finale cooking challenge in a way where, even if Peony loses you know she’s won. Riess keeps the narrative simple and easy to swallow. There’s a very sweet ending and the epilogue is really everything it should be. It’s a fine way to end the series.
The cooking challenge meanwhile, is exciting as Riess kicks it up a notch with an intense twist. I couldn’t get past how Riess set up this challenge so it makes sense and abides by its own rules. The fishbowl used for instance makes so much sense and looks cool too.
The art continues to be as endearing as the story. It’s sad to see this series go and I hope Riess has something up her sleeve. Her style is unique, cute, and expressive in a cartoony way. It’s a style I wouldn’t mind seeing in a cartoon version of this series.
It can’t be perfect can it?
The villain, aka Melonhead, makes a decision that seems wildly out of character. Sure, it’s a cute ending and it feels like a Saturday morning cartoon one at that, but considering what he’s done in past issues it seems to serve the ending more than show us what he’d really do.
Oh no!!
Is It Good?
This was one of the shining lights in the comic book industry of 2016. Natalie Reiss has proven she has the chops to deliver a unique story with refreshing art and an endearing quality you can’t miss.
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