It has become common among sci-fi fans to express disappointment that the shiny future we were promised once upon a childhood – flying cars, jetpacks, videophones, robot assistants – hasn’t completely come to pass.

Not sure about the flying cars or robot assistants, although I’m sure they’re not far off at this point. As for the videophones, they exist, though maybe not exactly in the form you’d expect. Video conferencing and Skype seem to be filling that role at the moment, but can actual video-transmitting phones be far behind?

But as far as the jetpack goes, we can officially stop whining: for a mere $86,000, you can soon purchase your very own Martin jet pack. Let the people say Amen.

We regret the inconvenience.

-The Management

Another day, another review of Moon Town. This one’s at Coyote Trax’s webcomic critique, and is not quite as stellar as the others the strip has received to this point. Not sure about the pedigree of the reviewer, or what he looks for in webcomics, but he takes issue with several features of Moon Town. Makes for interesting reading.

Ah, the telling sound of cultures meeting.

Security Agent Captain Cassandra Quinn is on assignment to the mining outpost Luna Seven amid rumors of pirates near the outpost. On her approach to the complex, she saw something moving around on the surface of the moon that shouldn’t have been. During her attempts to verify her visual sighting, a mysterious ship blasted her out of the sky. Her story starts HERE.

Meanwhile, on miner Simon Tripline’s morning commute to work, he sees something strange through a porthole. Shortly thereafter, Simon’s suspicions are aroused concerning the mysterious activities of the base’s top earner, Vin Sinclair, who becomes separated from the mining party. Simon takes off to find him, but finds Captain Quinn instead. He rescues her, but she wakes up confused, angry and armed. While they argue, something is watching them.

But the disoriented Captain Quinn threatens to shoot Simon one too many times, so he buckles in, seals his mask, and vents the cab compartment, blowing her out of the digger into the vaccuum of the moon, even though she only has 5 minutes of oxygen left. Before long, he brings her back in and tries to reason with her. It doesn’t go well, but before Simon and Captain Quinn can beat each other to death, the moon aliens come calling.

For a run-down on all the characters, see the NEW READERS page.

There’s a very positive review of Moon Town at Tall Tale Features. If you’re not familiar with TTF, it’s a collective of extremely talented big time cartoonists. Their positive take on my little comic is very humbling! Thanks, guys!

I am very excited to inform you that ex-Disney animator Eddie Pittman is joining our little team over at WishTales! Eddie’s graphic novel Red’s Planet, full of gorgeous art, fantastic storytelling and a color sense that just won’t quit, is the perfect addition to our stable of books. More info at WishTales.

Saw that coming.

Security Agent Captain Cassandra Quinn is on assignment to the mining outpost Luna Seven amid rumors of pirates near the outpost. On her approach to the complex, she saw something moving around on the surface of the moon that shouldn’t have been. During her attempts to verify her visual sighting, a mysterious ship blasted her out of the sky. Her story starts HERE.

Meanwhile, on miner Simon Tripline’s morning commute to work, he sees something strange through a porthole. Shortly thereafter, Simon’s suspicions are aroused concerning the mysterious activities of the base’s top earner, Vin Sinclair, who becomes separated from the mining party. Simon takes off to find him, but finds Captain Quinn instead. He rescues her, but she wakes up confused, angry and armed. While they argue, something is watching them.

But the disoriented Captain Quinn threatens to shoot Simon one too many times, so he buckles in, seals his mask, and vents the cab compartment, blowing her out of the digger into the vaccuum of the moon, even though she only has 5 minutes of oxygen left. Before long, he brings her back in and tries to reason with her.

For a run-down on all the characters, see the NEW READERS page.

In 1997, we aimed a rocket towards Saturn and sent a 13-foot-wide satellite off on a mission to explore the strange worlds in our own (relative) backyard.

This month, NASA announced plans to extend the Cassini space probe’s Saturn sojourn until 2017—nine years longer than its original end date of 2008. Read all about it at the special report at Boing Boing.

Thanks to friend-of-the-blog TheGothBunny for the link!

Here are the buttons I’ll be taking to the SPACE con in April… The four on the left are 1″, and the one on the right is 1.5″

The International Space Station gets a room with a view! The London Telegraph has a lovely gallery of images of the installation of – and first view from – the new windowed observation module. I’m sure the astronauts will appreciate being able to look at something aside from the drab industrial interior of that space station!