Lightstep

In the distant future, this pedestrian space fantasy’s multi-page introductory info-dump explains, the descendants of Earth have attempted to wipe humanity from their biology. The ruling class descend from the Primogenitor, who spawned his line via his “bedchambers and gene alchimenarium” (and purged all other children). When January Lee—a pureblood, highest of the high—refuses to execute her brother in a royal accession ceremony, she’s jettisoned into space. She’s soon picked up by Jazzman, a gruff Han Solo–style space pirate, and alien sidekick Sixty Six, a cheerful pee-wee pixie-ish clone. They’re threatened by Dada, a grotesquely obese alien slug. January is taught to perceive beyond time and space by a mischievous diminutive alien and prevails in an impossible piloting mission. From there, adventure alternates with backstory, shot through with overworn SF tropes, finally ending with a clumsy paraphrase of a famous Douglas Adams quote. The saving grace is Slavkovic’s smooth, fluid, and gently curving art, reminiscent of Mike Allred or Alan Davis. Slavkovic’s coloring is equally astute, with excellent composited pigments of bright highlights and soft pastels against the stark icy black of space. But the cool look can’t salvage this clichéd script; this comic’s very pretty to look at, but it’s all fluff beneath. (Aug.)