My local library had this book shelved in the Comic Book section. I found it when checking out the Tin Tin’s and Calvin and Hobbes Collections that we regularly consume. Perhaps it is a comic book – certainly the art and panel layouts owe everything to that genre. But it the line between picture book and comic book is, at some point, rather fine. And I would have been less surprised to find this book in with all the other kids picture books.
It’s been said that the key to a good children’s book is being of interest to adults as well as kids. I don’t know about that. But this book is a blast for adults. At least those who grew up loving Star Trek and the even goofier and cheesier science fiction that abounded in the fifties, sixties and seventies.
The basic plot line is simple – the main characters are technologically advanced dinosaurs. And when they detect a space ship landing on a nearby moon, it’s Captain Raptor and his stalwart crew they call on to discover what’s up. After a scale-raising crash landing (Could this be the end of Captain Raptor?) and a chilling undersea encounter with Octocollosus (Could this be the end of Captain Raptor?), they confront the strange beings who have landed on their planet.
It’s humans of course. And when a wild Pteraspikadon (you got to love these names) grabs the human commander and flies off, Captain Raptor soars to the rescue. There is one last dangerous encounter – altogether now – Could this be the end of Captain Raptor?
I certainly hope not.
This must have a hoot to write and draw – and I hope did well enough to warrant a sequel.