BOOM!; $3.99

The Earth is covered in a bubble called SafeSky. It is run by a government known as Triumvirate. Many people believe that the real sky is filled with dangerous, villainous aliens bent on our destruction. Propaganda saturates the world, leaving very few to get out of line – whether it’s to question SafeSky or even get a pair of fancy sneakers.

Enter the adventurous Uma and her unfalteringly loyal friend Dewydd. Uma wants to travel to the stars and Dewydd wants to do whatever Uma wants to do. After connecting with an alien, Uma develops a plan to free themselves of Triumvirate and breach SafeSky. If they can get past security.

Joyride is pretty cool. From the writing team of Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly (the duo who worked together on Hacktivist), this creator-owned series is equal parts science fiction and adventure. It’s high on spirit and optimism with a pinch of peril and sociopolitical undertones. The art by Marcus To with colors by Irma Kniivila is clean and easy to follow with plenty of energy and good color choices. Your enjoyment of the comic will be enhanced if you sing the song “Joyride” by Roxette in your head while reading. Trust me.

-Amanda Sheriff