The Spectacular Space Loop
Javi de Castro
Flying Eye Books

‘It’s the best day of my life!’ announces young Cosmo as he’s about to test a jet pack prototype. However, immediately it’s activated things start going wrong and he finds himself spinning into space. Fortunately though, he’s discovered by a creature that resembles an inverted light bulb, a creature that turns out to be kind and offers Cosmo nachos and a rest in his spaceship’s cabin. However, annoyed by the bright light therein, Cosmo, pushes a button assuming he can turn it off but sends himself hurtling into a jungle.

Therein he discovers a blobby creature resembling a fried egg; it introduces itself as an Esparabian. The creature is searching for its family and has found a spaceship. The two then set off, the ship’s engine is fired up and they land in a city, meet a guide – Pili – and plunge into a sewer. Therein they come face to face with a large green sewer mutant but evade the beast and meet Rhino, a pink magician who offers to send them home to their families, for a fee. However, his spell just flips them topsy-turvy and so does the story.

Readers must then flip the book upside down and read it from back to front. This offers a new way of looking at things, some positive others definitely not, but all turns out well eventually.

A very clever concept presented in graphic novel style by debuting Javi De Castro; the result being a fun adventure with a weird and wacky cast of characters.