Some time ago, Zohra and Martin Beagley stole a device called the “ Evo Cube,” and now, they can’t remember where they hid it.  That’s bad news because an alien race called the Disciples want it and will destroy Earth unless the Beagleys return the Evo Cube.  The Beagleys simply pack up, leave the planet, and take Sam with them, but she’s not willing to sacrifice Kayley, Charlie, and the rest of the Earth.  Now, she’s off to find one of the galaxy’s most dangerous criminals, the Jackal.  He may remember where her parents hid the Evo Cube, but when she meets him, Samantha will be in for a big surprise and a big reunion.

Grand Theft Galaxy is another of TOKYOPOP’s recent OEL manga (original English language) titles.  A combination shojo (girls’ comics) and shonen (boys comics) manga, GTG is sci-fi action comedy.  It feels like something from Saturday morning TV – structurally well-written and broad in the genres from which it borrows, although conceptually it is sci-fi.  With its breezy action and dialogue that moves the story forward, GTF is obviously written by a veteran writer, in this case, Tricia Riley Hale, who has apparently written for both animation studios and comic book companies.  Also, if the reader thought that this borrowed elements or ideas from A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, he wouldn’t be wrong.

The art by Filipino Jim Jimenez is similar to animation in design, but Jimenez is quite adept at using the comics medium as a narrative vehicle.  His style resembles some mangaka, but there are also traces of Vaughn Bodé.

Grand Theft Galaxy is quite entertaining, and though it seems a bit awkward early in the story, it rapidly improves.  It’s the kind of fun, imaginative sci-fi offering I’d expect from Cartoon Network, the Disney Channel, or The WB.  I think the target audience could encompass ‘tweens and teens, but I, an elder, also look forward to future volumes.

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