LOST ON PLANET EARTH

A young woman’s future in the interplanetary fleet suddenly changes.

It’s 2381 in Richmond, Virginia, and 21-year-old Basilisa Miranda is a focused examinee from a Latinx family that has for centuries served in the interplanetary fleet, bringing peace, equality, and democracy to the galaxy. Despite her pale, redheaded best friend Charlotte’s constant requests to relax, Basil carefully controls every aspect of her life in order to prepare for the Fleet Exam: physical training, studying, self-actualizing meditation, and protein shakes instead of home-cooked meals with her family. Then suddenly, all her anxieties and uncertainties surface as she wonders what truly makes her happy and whether she still wants to do her service in the fleet, let alone enlist for life. After breaking down and fleeing during the exam, Basil’s life changes completely as she engages with and expands her world, meeting a friendly, green-skinned, pointy-eared Xanthippian named Velda and charismatic, brown-skinned Ethne, two anti-fleet protestors. The story’s social commentary on negative aspects of cultural assimilation is intriguing, however, the delivery lacks nuance and fails to develop the subjects with sufficient depth. While Basil’s personality and relationships are well depicted, one-dimensional secondary characters, choppy time skips, and the rapid pace weaken the work overall. The illustrations are beautiful, however, with strong transitions, luminous colors, and a natural flow.

An overly rushed storyline undermines an intriguing premise and sympathetic characters.