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Plenty of comic series, movies, and books feature humans traversing the unknown vastness of space. Well, move aside, because a new species find themselves surviving on a starship in the sky in Captain Ginger (2019) — cats! In an apocalyptic future, humans (dubbed ‘Feeders’) no longer exist. Only a scampering cat crew drifting through space survives in this wonderfully cat-centric tale by AHOY Comics.
This two-volume, ongoing series is written by the cat-tacular Stuart Moore, with lovely art by fellow feline-lover June Brigman. Also serving on this comic spacecraft team is colorist Veronica Ghandini, inker Roy Richardson, and letterers Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancroft.
The “Tail” Of Cats Lost In Space
The premise of the first two volumes of Stuart Moore and June Brigman’s Captain Ginger revolves around cats, space, and a mysterious, alien threat called the “Lumen.” In Volume One, this advanced-intelligence, anthropomorphic cats struggle to maintain order amid a floating spaceship. Under the leadership of the admirable Captain Ginger, his crew of equally intelligent cats takes on designated roles to make sure their starship, the Indomitable, keeps soaring through space in Captain Ginger: Survival Instinct.
The Feeders (humans) that genetically altered cats appear to have faced extinction from the Lumen, leaving these cats alone in the universe. Rapidly bred kittens without bipedal and speaking abilities run amock. Litter-box duty is the most despised job on the ship. Feral cats roam the uninhabited regions below deck. Mostly, Captain Ginger grapples with maintaining order over cats who just want to survive.
After Science Cat intercepts a signal, the cats wonder whether other life beyond the Indomitable might truly exist. Ecru, a cat, detached from the rest of the crew, unearths a startling discovery regarding the strange A.I. system on the ship. While some of the cats question their origins, survival reoccurs as the main goal among the higher ranking crew members. Cats like Captain Ginger, his Wolverine-tempered best friend, Sargent Mittens, and the fervently ill Science Cat all face the unending challenge of sustaining life on the chaotic ship.
Without spoiling too much, the second volume, Captain Ginger: Dogworld (2020), reveals the presence of dogs on a planet with a communal system of their own. After a disastrous err in judgment, Captain Ginger and the cats face defeat like never before. The cats face separation, an unknown species, death, and a primitive lifestyle when they meet anthropomorphic dogs. Their newfound alliance becomes a necessity if they are to win against the unknown Lumen trying to destroy them all.
A Paw-sitively Appealing Narrative
Although Captain Ginger fits into the science-fiction genre, its pathos and puns place it into a drama or comedy genre. So much heart lies at the center of this comic series. The cats all exhibit cat-like behavior — hissing, meowing, catfights — yet are given such distinctive, empathetic personalities that you forget this is a sci-fi space epic starring cats. I mean, a key catchphrase is “Let’s scamper!” which is just hilarious to read every time. The dialogue moves fast and is just loaded with lovable cat puns. Stuart Moore and June Brigman are both owners of cats themselves, so it’s obvious that these cat-lovers had a ton of source material to reference when constructing this narrative.
Captain Ginger finds a more substance and better pacing when read as volumes. Individually, each issue foreshadows details that tie into later plot threads. The slow burn pacing will have you seriously yowling for answers that take a while to surface. Captain Ginger: Dogworld heightens reader engagement in a very positive way. Still, a few B-story arcs remain unresolved, even by the end of the second volume. Who is Captain Ginger’s father? Who are the Lumen? Will we find out more about why there are brilliant cats — and now dogs — scampering about? Stuart Moore promises answers, but readers will have to wait for the series conclusion to quell their desire for final revelations.
Purr-fect Art Enhances The Reading Journey
June Brigman’s art is just excellent on every level. Unlike typical comic art styles, Brigman uses soft lines to give the cats that textured, furry appearance. When drawing the space and ship exterior elements, all of the lines are more meticulously drawn to portray the terrifyingly unknown dominance of space. Every panel is beautifully laid out, providing a sharp and unimpeded reading experience. Each cat has such a unique appearance, and they are different breeds. Her attention to the cats’ facial expressions (and later, for the dogs) cannot go unnoticed. Not only that, but Brigman makes their individual characteristics different through the cats’ uniforms, colors, shapes, and stances.
Rob Steen’s crisp lettering and sparse dialogue boxes expertly emphasize Brigman’s artistry. Each issue includes many detailed panels overflowing with drawings of rambunctious kittens, completely disrupting life on Ginger’s ship. The vibrant color palette meshes cohesively with each panel according to the tone conveyed by Moore’s witty dialogue. Particularly, Captain Ginger’s feisty orange coat stands out, well juxtaposed against Gingers’ emotional moments and vulnerability. Captain Ginger is gorgeously rendered, infused with an obvious love for furry felines.
Board A Spaceship With Captain Ginger
Captain Ginger proves an absolute must-read for any cat-lover. Despite some strange subplots in Survival Instinct, Dogworld seriously succeeds in expanding the Captain Ginger universe more coherently. If the narrative seems too withholding in the first volume, keep reading! I guarantee that the second volume will make you cry and re-think everything you know about these courageous cats. The art alone should be enough to draw you into this story about cats scampering through the galaxy. Captain Ginger fully triumphs in crafting a story about cats in space, taking them where no cat has gone before!
