For reasons unknown to him, Jules has been chosen for a mission to space. So begins
The Amazing Adventures of Jules: The Future Imperfect, Émile Bravo's graphic novel for kids. In a sense, Bravo's story is an "it could happen tomorrow" story, where a shuttle takes the astronauts to a space station, from which the launch the interstellar ship. He doesn't take much time developing the ins and outs of technology, like how light-speed travel is possible, but this is a kids' story, not hard sci-fi.
He does explain, through the mad-scientist type crew members, relativity and time dilation. It wasn't until the trip was underway that Jules grasped that during this eight-week journey, eight years will have passed on Earth. He's in the dark most of the time, to comic effect. Bravo packs a big, eventful adventure into a very small space, giving the story a rushed, urgent feeling. The travel to another solar system, land on an alien planet, make first contact, and nearly spark an inter-stellar war. That's a full day.
The story line and illustrations give
The Future Imperfect an old-school feel. It seems like something from an earlier age, in a timeless, innocent sense, even as it looks forward. This is a fun, light comic that will entertain the next generation of space travelers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
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