PLANETARY-YUM

It’s just another day in the kittenhood of brave (but hungry) space pilot Waffles.

After six volumes of the CatStronauts’ adventures in outer space, cartoonist Brockington turns to the past to tell a tale of Waffles’ youth with sibling Pancake. The two kitties are spending Saturday with Dad-Cat before he drops them at Mom-Cat’s house. They’re looking forward to a day at the science museum in the Big City. They check out some dino-cat bones and an exhibit on hairballs (in 4-D) before heading to the planetarium. Both kittens enjoy a show about constellations…but their favorite time of day follows: lunch. Waffles’ legendary appetite’s a family trait. In the Hall of Planets they learn about the moon landing, but the kittens are distracted by a tour group and lose track of Dad-Cat. After a quick moment of panic, they talk to the tour guide, who reunites them with Dad-Cat, and the trio head to Mom-Cat’s house. The day was fun, but lunch was still the kittens’ favorite. (Heartwarmingly, Dad-Cat liked spending the day with his kittens.) Fans of the original CatStronauts series may enjoy watching Waffles’ love of science spark, but those new to this catcentric world may be less than engaged by this day-in-the-life tale. Still, the narrative weaves in nice (if felinized) tidbits of information and pointers on what to do when separated from grown-ups: a plus.

Colorful cartoon panels and a science-forward storyline make this spinoff series opener a solid selection.