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FCBD Interview: Mike Maihack Shoots for the Stars with Cleopatra In Space

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In this exciting sci-fi adventure, a young Cleopatra stumbles upon a mysterious artifact that propels the ancient would-be ruler into the distant future! Now stuck in a time far removed from her own, Cleopatra discovers that she is humanity's ("humanity" being a population of talking cats!) only hope against the devious Xaius Octavian. Danger, derring-do, and a whole lot of fun await in this new all-ages tale that will take you beyond the stars!

Free Comic Book Day talked with comic creator Mike Maihack about Graphix Spotlight: Cleopatra In SpaceScholastic's 2015 Free Comic Book Day offering.


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Free Comic Book Day: For those who might be new to your comic book, give a quick rundown. What can we expect to see in terms of story and art?

Mike MaihackCleopatra in Space is about the actual teenage Egyptian princess from our Earth’s history. She’s been flung into the far, far future and is expected to save an entire civilization, governed by talking cats, from an evil galactic despot. All this while having to take classes like alien languages, ray gun practice, and, most unfortunately, algebra. It’s actually more serious than it sounds, but not by much. Sort of if you threw Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buck Rogers, and Egyptian history into a blender and out came a Saturday morning cartoon.

Free Comic Book Day: What has been your favorite part of the book or character to tackle?

Mike MaihackI love writing Cleo, which is a relief since she’s the title character, but I’ve really grown to enjoy writing her best friend, Akila, almost as much. Maybe because Akila feels a bit more like how I was in school: shy, socially awkward, and a fan of reading. Cleo, however, is not a very big fan of reading. She’d rather blast aliens with her ray gun. So the scenes where I get to write both of them together—when I can bounce dialog off the two—those are the most fun for me to work on right now.

Free Comic Book Day: Tell FCBD fans why they should pick your book first on Free Comic Book Day!

Mike MaihackThey get a prize! No, I can’t say that. They do get a pretty excellent comic though. And the best part is, if readers like it and want more, there will be two full graphic novels already available.

Free Comic Book Day: What are you most looking forward to for Free Comic Book Day?

Mike MaihackThe…free comics? Wait, does anyone answer anything differently for this question?

Free Comic Book Day: What other titles would you associate with your FCBD book? “If a comic reader likes _______ , they should pick up my title"?

Mike MaihackI’d say any sci-fi or humor series. Zita the Spacegirl is good one. Missile Mouse is another one. Gotham Academy gears a little older but is probably similar for the school setting and interactivity between Maps and Olive. I recently started reading the new Ms. Marvel and Cleo reminds me a lot of Kamala. So readers who like that should definitely check out Cleopatra in Space. Also Rocket Raccoon and Cleo share a similar love of intergalactic firearms.

Free Comic Book Day: What do you think is the best part about Free Comic Book Day?

Mike MaihackI like how so many shops have made an event out of it. While the free comics are great, the day has really become more of a celebration of the entire medium. It causes so many people outside of comics to check out what’s going on, both kids and adults, and that just makes the day so much more fun and exciting. Sometimes there’s even free food. Nothing better than free comics AND free food.

Free Comic Book Day: What’s your favorite thing about working in comics?

Mike MaihackMy three-foot commute to work. Haha. Also, the ability to tell stories—through pictures—for a living, which is all I’ve ever wanted to do with my life.

Free Comic Book Day: Many newcomers will pick up comics for the first time on FCBD—what was the first comic you remember reading?

Mike MaihackIt was an old Transformers comic! One of the ones I think Marvel used to publish. I can’t remember much about it other than Optimus Prime was returning after being presumed dead and this was an exciting development. Grimlock might have been in it too. Anyhow, it was awesome.

Free Comic Book Day: Where will you be for this year’s FCBD? Do you have any annual FCBD traditions?

Mike MaihackI’ll be at Heroes’ Haven Comics (https://heroeshavencomics.com/) in Tampa, FL, this year. I’m going to be signing books and doing watercolor sketches for kids. It’ll be my first year participating at a FCBD event so I’m really looking forward to it.

Free Comic Book Day: Looking to the future of the book, is there anything you can tease about what's upcoming?

Mike MaihackThere’s a really fun, mysterious character who debuts in the second book, The Thief and the Sword, who is going to play a big part in Cleo’s life. I don’t want to say much, but anyone who knows a bit about Cleopatra’s historical life may be able to guess who that is. Things are also going to be taking on a bit of a western spin, but that’s not till book three.

Free Comic Book Day: Tell us why everyone should read comic books?

Mike MaihackBecause the stories, artwork, and imagination they create are limitless.

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Cleopatra In Space
Book One: Target Practice
Item Code: FEB141308
Release Date: 4/23/2014
SRP: $12.99

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Cleopatra In Space
Book Two: The Thief and The Sword
Item Code: FEB151466
Release Date: 4/29/2015
SRP: $12.99

 

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