Got my copy yesterday after giving away the three copies I got in December as gifts.  I confess that I peeked at the gift copies because I was too curious about the art.  I thought the art was amazing when I got a first look, but it wasn't until I could crack the spine and get a good look that I realized the richness of each page.  It's like a collection of comission pieces -- each one stands alone as a mini-story in and of itself.  We got sneaks of the first few pages on this thread, and it was so cool to see how that was just a tease for what was to come.  The space ship art is like walking into one of JB's spaceships from his Marvel days.  It also echoes what we saw in THE HIGH WAYS -- that series was among JB's strongest recent work, and had some amazing art that could exist in the STOWAWAY TO THE STARS  universe.  The joy of this is book is in the detail -- the coloring book format makes for a treat for the eyes.  The sci fi universe is a perfect fit for JB's talent for drawing big, lavish worlds.

While that art is surely the main attraction, I was even more impressed that the story is some of JB's best writing.  I had the impression that the story wouild be a nominal part of this experience - it's just the opposite.  Eliza's narration is my favorite part!!  She is a driven rebel with her head in the stars, and her voice is a refreshing voice for a sci-fi story.  Raspberry, Harris, and Soo are also stand out characters.

I will be coloring this for fun (I'm not an artist), but I have to say I really like this in B&W.  It freminds me of when I finally got to read JB's run on IRON FIST.  I first read it in the B&W ESSENTIAL edition -- now seeing that work in color just looks WRONG to me!  The only thing I may do off the bat is color in the blacks.

My bigest regret is that I didn't realize before that the main character is named Eliza -- I just got back from a long holiday trip, and half of it was spent with my girlfriend's young niece, who is also named Eliza!!  I am kicking myself for not giving her a copy for Christmas.  She's 13 - it would have been perfect.  Ugh!

Excellent story, JB!  What a fantastic book - highly recommended for fans of JB's art, and all also for all the Elizas out there!

Certainly disappointing to hear.  But I am curious as to your basis for this thought.

BYYYRNE!!!

:)