Missile Mouse: The Star Crusher,

A secret agent for the Galactic Security Agency, Missile Mouse is independent, resourceful, a risk-taker, and in a lot of trouble with his boss. After a botched attempt at recovering a Star Compass, and one too many crashed spaceships, he's been assigned a partner, Agent Hyde, who has parents in high places. Now, their mission is to find a missing scientist and prevent the Rogue Imperium of Planets from manufacturing Dark Plasma to fuel a Star Crusher—a fearsome weapon of mass destruction. Along the way, they cross paths (and guns) with Mouse's rival, Gurne the mercenary; a robot filled with giant ants; and the shark-headed goons of the dreaded Rogue Imperium. The art, a smooth blend of Alex Toth by way of Chris Sanders, is clean and fun, and Parker combines sharp characterization with breakneck plotting that should keep aspiring space cadets turning pages furiously. Age 8–12. (Jan.)