ASTRONAUT ACADEMY

Hakata Soy and his fellow students at Astronaut Academy return from break to an academy in lockdown. 

Hakata Soy, formerly of Meta-Team, a group of intergalactic preteen superheroes, is trying to get over the fact that his crush in that group, Princess Boots, is now dating his archrival (since kindergarten), Rick Raven, of the villainous group Gotcha Birds. Thalia Thistle is hiding her participation on the school fireball (sort of like lacrosse with halberds and balls of flame) team from her father (who teaches at the academy). Tak Offsky is hiding his crush on Thalia and his disappointment that she hangs out so much with her former enemy, Maribelle Mellonbelly, richest girl at AA, who has a crush on Hakata. All the students are in danger from something disguised as a student that steals hearts (everyone starts out with three, and losing them all can result in death). Can everyone resolve their romantic entanglements in a school where love and fun have been outlawed for student safety? Roman’s second tale, told in a series of black-and-white comic-strip chapters each focusing on a different student, requires a go-with-the-flow reader. The deadpan quirk, consciously misspelled and misused words, anime-cute artwork and fractured plot are not for readers seeking a straightforward story.

Definitely goofy.