Trevor Hogg reviews the galactic conclusion of the Zita the Spacegirl trilogy…
Wrongfully imprisoned on a penitentiary planet, Zita has to plot the galaxy’s greatest jailbreak before the evil prison warden can execute his plan of interstellar domination!
A mysterious masked and caped figure sneaks into an underground structure with a glass roof located on a desolate world. Below is a courtroom where the chained and captured Zita who is on trial for activities that are justifiable rather criminal; she is declared a danger to society and sentenced to the dungeons.
Zita attempts to escape helped by the intruder but is thwarted by her desire to save an enslaved Leviathan; she learns that the warden is making the prisoners mine for the Jump Crystal which is needed to open portal for a new world that will be inhabited by his nearly extinct and homeless alien race. Zita remains defiant while the friends of the prisoner are determined to orchestrate her rescue and save the Earth from being invaded.
One cannot accuse Zita of being a passive protagonist as she is constantly getting herself in and out of trouble; her biggest weakness is the desire to fight injustice and to help those who are in need. Ben Hatke has created a character who is an endearing and proactive role model. The author also populates the pages with strange creatures and robots which will visually appeal to children.
The illustrations have a whimsical sketch quality to them and the colour pallet consists of muted pastels. A great job is done with the full page spreads which provide an epic scale to the storytelling. Additional material includes a brief retrospective into the origins of Zita the Spacegirl as well as character and page layout drawings which provide insight into the creative process. The Return of Zita the Spacegirl is a worthy conclusion to the trilogy.
To learn more make sure to read Girl Power: Ben Hatke talks about The Return of Zita the Spacegirl
Trevor Hogg is a freelance video editor and writer who currently resides in Canada.
Originally published November 11, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
