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Luna Express
Between crummy day jobs and nights out on the town, Celeste and her friends can barely find time to use their super-powers! Sailor Moon meets late capitalism in this deliriously epic graphic novel, bursting with life and vibrant color. Celeste was always told that she could grow up to do anything she dreamed of, but she didn’t exactly dream of being a delivery biker for her parents’ bakery, Luna Express. Life is so much more exciting at When the stars come out, so do her magical powers of super-strength and speed! Those gifts haven’t made her destiny any clearer, though…until Celeste and her friends are targeted by a series of strange, supernatural attacks throughout their hometown of Perth. Now this reluctant team must battle land-sharks, roller-skating disco mushrooms, mind-bending art exhibitions, and their own personal drama, while trying to unravel the unsettling mystery that connects them and their city.
280 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2026
2 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 15, 2026
I was SO excited for this book to be published after following the artist on Instagram, and BOY it lives up to the hype!!! The art is absolutely stunning, the story moving, what an exciting romp! Delightfully anti-capitalist and anti-fascist
March 22, 2026
Colorful art that's full of personality.
The plot and characters fell a bit flat for me, but the bright art and the spirit of the story was definitely worth the read. I would love more monsters & more exploration of the characters, their powers and their personalities.
edit: I knew nothing about the author of this or his previous work before I read this. my feeling of the characters/plot being flat and the issues I had while reading, all make perfect sense to me now. why is this white man trying to write lezzie shit. way out of his league.
The plot and characters fell a bit flat for me, but the bright art and the spirit of the story was definitely worth the read. I would love more monsters & more exploration of the characters, their powers and their personalities.
edit: I knew nothing about the author of this or his previous work before I read this. my feeling of the characters/plot being flat and the issues I had while reading, all make perfect sense to me now. why is this white man trying to write lezzie shit. way out of his league.
March 16, 2026
It's "magical girls" versus late stage capitalism, gentrification, monarchism, and worldwide systematic corruption, classism, cronyism, colonialism, and imperialism.
It's "magical girls" versus fascism.
It's "magical girls" as iconoclasts, fighting the status quo for survival.
All in the style of Mad magazine.
It definitely takes inspiration from anime and manga, as well, and not just 'Sailor Moon': 'Akira' and the like are a much stronger influence. As is 'Watchmen'.
It took me a while to get into it, and not be confused as to who was who and what and where and why, but once I got it, I got it.
'Luna Express' is the modern feminist comic mistresspiece of 2026. To say it is relevant to our current darkest timeline is an understatement. It is fucking vital. A punch-up. A wakeup call.
Plus it has magical girls and a celestial astronomy theme à la 'Sailor Moon' (the crescent moon reoccurs in the art, which is an astral extra for me), and a cute, tasty bakery goods motif.
Set in Australia, Perth, 'Luna Express' stars "magical girls" or "celestials" - young people who end up fighting political corruption everywhere (since everything is political) - capitalists, industrialists, white supremacists, and billionaires who want to take over the world just because they can. These magical, nocturnal blooming activists and rebels are sort-of reluctant heroes, but they have to try, and they want to prove themselves anyway. They are:
Celeste, a Black (or indigenous, her race is deliberately left ambiguous), queer, family bakery delivery girl, who is justifiably hot-tempered and snarky, and who under the starlight possesses super strength, speed and agility, plus she can manipulate gravity; Lucy, a white, queer, fat, bespectacled, heavily tattooed former foster child, who's very sensitive and high energy, has a very bad dating history, and who possesses the ability to transport anywhere via shadows, or "bloop"; Alex, the only male celestial child of the group, who is white, a femme boy, a graffiti artist, a skateboarder, and the mayor's kid, so no wonder he's depressed, and he can bring his art to life; and there's Lorelai, a former friend (and lover to Celeste) turned world famous K-pop star - initially overworked, and heavily coerced, controlled, abused, and brainwashed - who can make any of her wishes come true...as long as they're "some weird alien tech".
Celeste, Lucy and Lorelai tried to be a band at one point, and maybe they will be again...
None of these moonlit millennials will be made small. They will not be silenced. They will refuse to let themselves be threatened, abused and crushed by those on top of the privileged capitalism food chain/hierarchy...
'Luna Express' - how stellar! It's wild, weird, stellar punk and pop! It's like the safest drug trip! With likeable, down-to-earth, yet cosmic and queer heroes, and important, topical themes.
Not since 'A Magical Girl Retires' has a Magical GirlTM story been more subversive (there aren't even any transformation sequences, nor any outer transformations in the traditional sense) and relevant. It is also like 'Flavor Girls' and 'magnifiqueNOIR'.
Magical girls can change the world.
'My idiot friends are still idiots.' [] 'But we're idiots together.' [] 'Which is a whole lot better than being idiots alone.'
CELESTE SAYS:
'So-called Australia was built on the back of colonial violence that was inflicted without mercy to all who lived under it.' [] 'Erasing the truth of this history makes everyday living easier for some.' [] 'But it traps us in a collective land of make-believe, expected to unsee the reality in front of us.'
'The media you consume is ALWAYS political.' [] 'Those in charge of media empires have the ability to shape the political reality of entire populations.' [] 'They actively work to control our sense of what is "normal" and what is "other".' [] 'And then use their media platforms to prop up political actors who are then in debt to them.' [] 'Question everything. Accept nothing.'
'If you cut into the present, the past leaks out.' [] 'Even the slightest scratch reveals what lies under the surface.' [] 'And inside each of us resides the entire history of the cosmos.' [] 'When you lie on the grass at night, looking up at the stars, you can feel it churning inside you.' [] 'All the paperwork and bills and bad news stories and things do a pretty good job of distracting us from it though.'
'It's ok to relax.' [] 'It's important to rest.' [] 'It's necessary to sleep.' [] 'It's essential to dream.'
Recommended.
Final Score: 3.5/5 (three magical, celestial full moons, one halfmoon, and two crescent moons, and all the stars in the night sky)
It's "magical girls" versus fascism.
It's "magical girls" as iconoclasts, fighting the status quo for survival.
All in the style of Mad magazine.
It definitely takes inspiration from anime and manga, as well, and not just 'Sailor Moon': 'Akira' and the like are a much stronger influence. As is 'Watchmen'.
It took me a while to get into it, and not be confused as to who was who and what and where and why, but once I got it, I got it.
'Luna Express' is the modern feminist comic mistresspiece of 2026. To say it is relevant to our current darkest timeline is an understatement. It is fucking vital. A punch-up. A wakeup call.
Plus it has magical girls and a celestial astronomy theme à la 'Sailor Moon' (the crescent moon reoccurs in the art, which is an astral extra for me), and a cute, tasty bakery goods motif.
Set in Australia, Perth, 'Luna Express' stars "magical girls" or "celestials" - young people who end up fighting political corruption everywhere (since everything is political) - capitalists, industrialists, white supremacists, and billionaires who want to take over the world just because they can. These magical, nocturnal blooming activists and rebels are sort-of reluctant heroes, but they have to try, and they want to prove themselves anyway. They are:
Celeste, a Black (or indigenous, her race is deliberately left ambiguous), queer, family bakery delivery girl, who is justifiably hot-tempered and snarky, and who under the starlight possesses super strength, speed and agility, plus she can manipulate gravity; Lucy, a white, queer, fat, bespectacled, heavily tattooed former foster child, who's very sensitive and high energy, has a very bad dating history, and who possesses the ability to transport anywhere via shadows, or "bloop"; Alex, the only male celestial child of the group, who is white, a femme boy, a graffiti artist, a skateboarder, and the mayor's kid, so no wonder he's depressed, and he can bring his art to life; and there's Lorelai, a former friend (and lover to Celeste) turned world famous K-pop star - initially overworked, and heavily coerced, controlled, abused, and brainwashed - who can make any of her wishes come true...as long as they're "some weird alien tech".
Celeste, Lucy and Lorelai tried to be a band at one point, and maybe they will be again...
None of these moonlit millennials will be made small. They will not be silenced. They will refuse to let themselves be threatened, abused and crushed by those on top of the privileged capitalism food chain/hierarchy...
'Luna Express' - how stellar! It's wild, weird, stellar punk and pop! It's like the safest drug trip! With likeable, down-to-earth, yet cosmic and queer heroes, and important, topical themes.
Not since 'A Magical Girl Retires' has a Magical GirlTM story been more subversive (there aren't even any transformation sequences, nor any outer transformations in the traditional sense) and relevant. It is also like 'Flavor Girls' and 'magnifiqueNOIR'.
Magical girls can change the world.
'My idiot friends are still idiots.' [] 'But we're idiots together.' [] 'Which is a whole lot better than being idiots alone.'
CELESTE SAYS:
'So-called Australia was built on the back of colonial violence that was inflicted without mercy to all who lived under it.' [] 'Erasing the truth of this history makes everyday living easier for some.' [] 'But it traps us in a collective land of make-believe, expected to unsee the reality in front of us.'
'The media you consume is ALWAYS political.' [] 'Those in charge of media empires have the ability to shape the political reality of entire populations.' [] 'They actively work to control our sense of what is "normal" and what is "other".' [] 'And then use their media platforms to prop up political actors who are then in debt to them.' [] 'Question everything. Accept nothing.'
'If you cut into the present, the past leaks out.' [] 'Even the slightest scratch reveals what lies under the surface.' [] 'And inside each of us resides the entire history of the cosmos.' [] 'When you lie on the grass at night, looking up at the stars, you can feel it churning inside you.' [] 'All the paperwork and bills and bad news stories and things do a pretty good job of distracting us from it though.'
'It's ok to relax.' [] 'It's important to rest.' [] 'It's necessary to sleep.' [] 'It's essential to dream.'
Recommended.
Final Score: 3.5/5 (three magical, celestial full moons, one halfmoon, and two crescent moons, and all the stars in the night sky)
February 16, 2026
OMG is this the best book ever?
It's certainly the funnest.
Campbell Whyte's Home Time, Vol. 1: Under the River and Home Time, Vol. 2: Beyond the Weaving (soon to be collected together in a surely-unweildy but beautiful paperback collection) were two of the most gorgeous Australian comics, especially for a YA audience. Whyte's use of different artistic styles for each of his young protagonists was masterful.
Well, with Luna Express he's turned everything up several notches. The artwork is stunning, especially when he lets it slip out of the extremely expressive cartoonish default into ravishing linework or harrowing charcoals and scribbles. Each of his young superpowered protagonists are delightfully written: Brown-skinned Celeste (I'm not sure if her family are intended to be Indigenous, Indian or something else) delivers orders on bicycle from her Dad's patisserie; she and Korean-Australian pop star Lorelai have history. Celeste's best friend Lucy is a tattooed aspiring artist with a history of foster homes in her past; and when Alex joins them, we find he's the mayor's son, but he rejects his privileged background, and he's clearly trans-coded. All four, in fact, are queer, something that's shown rather than explicitly addressed.
The ambiguity of Celeste's background is presumably deliberate. I'm not sure if it's for the best, but it's in keeping with Whyte's decision to show character relationships that by and large treat race, gender, sexuality and body shape as irrelevant. This is in direct contrast to the story's gradually-revealed antagonists, long-lived ghouls who both represent and facilitate colonialism and capitalism. In the book's dramatic dénoument, . It's also deliciously apt that .
So yeah, utterly gorgeous, utterly readable, anti-fascist to the core. Who could ask for more?
It's certainly the funnest.
Campbell Whyte's Home Time, Vol. 1: Under the River and Home Time, Vol. 2: Beyond the Weaving (soon to be collected together in a surely-unweildy but beautiful paperback collection) were two of the most gorgeous Australian comics, especially for a YA audience. Whyte's use of different artistic styles for each of his young protagonists was masterful.
Well, with Luna Express he's turned everything up several notches. The artwork is stunning, especially when he lets it slip out of the extremely expressive cartoonish default into ravishing linework or harrowing charcoals and scribbles. Each of his young superpowered protagonists are delightfully written: Brown-skinned Celeste (I'm not sure if her family are intended to be Indigenous, Indian or something else) delivers orders on bicycle from her Dad's patisserie; she and Korean-Australian pop star Lorelai have history. Celeste's best friend Lucy is a tattooed aspiring artist with a history of foster homes in her past; and when Alex joins them, we find he's the mayor's son, but he rejects his privileged background, and he's clearly trans-coded. All four, in fact, are queer, something that's shown rather than explicitly addressed.
The ambiguity of Celeste's background is presumably deliberate. I'm not sure if it's for the best, but it's in keeping with Whyte's decision to show character relationships that by and large treat race, gender, sexuality and body shape as irrelevant. This is in direct contrast to the story's gradually-revealed antagonists, long-lived ghouls who both represent and facilitate colonialism and capitalism. In the book's dramatic dénoument, . It's also deliciously apt that .
So yeah, utterly gorgeous, utterly readable, anti-fascist to the core. Who could ask for more?
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Modern, urban flair meets something similar-ish to Sailor Moon to create an exciting read with more than a little unique fun.
Celeste has been working as a delivery girl at her parents' bakery since she graduated from high school, which might sound mundane, but each day has it perks, calms, and surprises. Plus, she meets friends and familiar faces, which always adds social zest. It's different, but then, Celeste isn't your average young woman, either. Not only does she dance to her own tune and carry tons of personality...even the local ragtag gang wants to constantly compete with her...but she harbors a secret. Every night, she gains superpowers, which give her increased speed and strength. While logic makes it clear that destiny holds something in store for her, she has no clue what until strange, unexplainable things start happening in the town. Together with her friends, she's going to have to take on an odd mix of dangerous and quirky things and figure out what's really going on.
This is a read with energy pure and heads off into its very own direction with unique characters and plots twists. Celeste's radiant attitude is contagious and it's hard not to want to join her as she rides her bike through town...even when delivering baked goods. Because nothing in Celeste's life is boring, which is mostly due to her own attitude on life. Her friends are just as colorful and add tons of personality as well. Even the bad guys pack character, but then, they'd have to just to keep up with this original band of super-friends. So, there's never a boring moment, and it's definitely a grabbing read with surprises the entire way through...and those surprises aren't only when the tension rises.
The illustrations carry an edge of colorful chaos, which seals the deal with the plot. It took me a couple of pages to slide into the flow, but that's on me since this hit with unexpected energy. Every moment draws in and inspires, while carrying a few life lessons along the way. But that's not the main point as this tale races along.
I wasn't sure about the age group, at first, on this one, since Celeste has already graduated from high school. But it works for the YA audience and sticks mostly to paths which grab that age group. This promises to be an exciting series with tons to come.
Celeste has been working as a delivery girl at her parents' bakery since she graduated from high school, which might sound mundane, but each day has it perks, calms, and surprises. Plus, she meets friends and familiar faces, which always adds social zest. It's different, but then, Celeste isn't your average young woman, either. Not only does she dance to her own tune and carry tons of personality...even the local ragtag gang wants to constantly compete with her...but she harbors a secret. Every night, she gains superpowers, which give her increased speed and strength. While logic makes it clear that destiny holds something in store for her, she has no clue what until strange, unexplainable things start happening in the town. Together with her friends, she's going to have to take on an odd mix of dangerous and quirky things and figure out what's really going on.
This is a read with energy pure and heads off into its very own direction with unique characters and plots twists. Celeste's radiant attitude is contagious and it's hard not to want to join her as she rides her bike through town...even when delivering baked goods. Because nothing in Celeste's life is boring, which is mostly due to her own attitude on life. Her friends are just as colorful and add tons of personality as well. Even the bad guys pack character, but then, they'd have to just to keep up with this original band of super-friends. So, there's never a boring moment, and it's definitely a grabbing read with surprises the entire way through...and those surprises aren't only when the tension rises.
The illustrations carry an edge of colorful chaos, which seals the deal with the plot. It took me a couple of pages to slide into the flow, but that's on me since this hit with unexpected energy. Every moment draws in and inspires, while carrying a few life lessons along the way. But that's not the main point as this tale races along.
I wasn't sure about the age group, at first, on this one, since Celeste has already graduated from high school. But it works for the YA audience and sticks mostly to paths which grab that age group. This promises to be an exciting series with tons to come.
February 21, 2026
Luna Express was really good. You can enjoy it purely as a comic, but there is also a strong political thread running through the story. With each chapter, we learn more about the villains and their larger plan, leading to a final reveal that pulls everything together in a satisfying way.
I especially liked the visual storytelling. The present-day scenes use rich, saturated colors, while flashbacks and past events are shown in almost monochrome, making it instantly clear when the timeline shifts. It’s a smart and effective design choice. The Celeste Says interludes were another highlight for me and added an interesting layer to the narrative.
I will say that the first two chapters felt a little slow, but once I reached chapter three, I was fully invested. In hindsight, those early chapters clearly do important groundwork. Overall, I really enjoyed this comic and would recommend sticking with it past the opening chapters.
I especially liked the visual storytelling. The present-day scenes use rich, saturated colors, while flashbacks and past events are shown in almost monochrome, making it instantly clear when the timeline shifts. It’s a smart and effective design choice. The Celeste Says interludes were another highlight for me and added an interesting layer to the narrative.
I will say that the first two chapters felt a little slow, but once I reached chapter three, I was fully invested. In hindsight, those early chapters clearly do important groundwork. Overall, I really enjoyed this comic and would recommend sticking with it past the opening chapters.
February 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
4⭐
Vibrant, unapologetic and political! I was so excited to read an Australian magical girl graphic novel, and set in Perth! It felt like a niche that's right up my alley. Although the art style isn't entirely for me, I can still appreciate how well it fit the tone of the story. Comedic, saturated and gritty spreads with colours just as expressive as the characters and events of the story. I always adore when artists use colour to enhance their storytelling, it's a wonderful use of showing without telling. Some of the compositions absolutely blew me away, particularly around the 69% mark (yes really), the green page with all the scenes taking place across a pattern of cubes IYKYK! I had a lot of fun reading this! If you want something entertaining, vibrant and Australian with supernatural elements, this one's for you.
4⭐
Vibrant, unapologetic and political! I was so excited to read an Australian magical girl graphic novel, and set in Perth! It felt like a niche that's right up my alley. Although the art style isn't entirely for me, I can still appreciate how well it fit the tone of the story. Comedic, saturated and gritty spreads with colours just as expressive as the characters and events of the story. I always adore when artists use colour to enhance their storytelling, it's a wonderful use of showing without telling. Some of the compositions absolutely blew me away, particularly around the 69% mark (yes really), the green page with all the scenes taking place across a pattern of cubes IYKYK! I had a lot of fun reading this! If you want something entertaining, vibrant and Australian with supernatural elements, this one's for you.
March 28, 2026
Alternate title: Magical Girls VS Colonial Racism
Celeste's family run a bakery in Perth, where Celeste works primarily as a bicycle delivery driver by day, but fights crime once the moon rises and her powers activate. Celeste isn't the only one with such magical powers, with her best friend Lucy acting as side-kick. When Lucy's art exhibition running bosses newest artist's exhibition turns evil, the pair start to discover something sinister and much wider reaching than they expected.
My biggest issue with this book is that I feel like the main evil plot was never explained, and as the reader you were expected to infer quite a complex plot from very small and obscure details - I'm not sure if this was intentional, but I mainly just felt like I'd missed a memo the entire time, and it was only by the final chapter that I finally understood what was going on. The concept was fascinating and very fresh, and the art style was gorgeous, but I'm just not sure that the story execution was fully there yet, meaning I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I wanted to.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
Celeste's family run a bakery in Perth, where Celeste works primarily as a bicycle delivery driver by day, but fights crime once the moon rises and her powers activate. Celeste isn't the only one with such magical powers, with her best friend Lucy acting as side-kick. When Lucy's art exhibition running bosses newest artist's exhibition turns evil, the pair start to discover something sinister and much wider reaching than they expected.
My biggest issue with this book is that I feel like the main evil plot was never explained, and as the reader you were expected to infer quite a complex plot from very small and obscure details - I'm not sure if this was intentional, but I mainly just felt like I'd missed a memo the entire time, and it was only by the final chapter that I finally understood what was going on. The concept was fascinating and very fresh, and the art style was gorgeous, but I'm just not sure that the story execution was fully there yet, meaning I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I wanted to.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
March 25, 2026
The superhero story I've been searching for! Fighting fascism zombies, abusive bosses, and more! The celestials are such an amazing team. Hopefully there's another book coming!
I will be posting a video review of this book on my TikTok as well @simonsayshellooo
Thank you Netgalley for providing this book! The opinions are my own.
I will be posting a video review of this book on my TikTok as well @simonsayshellooo
Thank you Netgalley for providing this book! The opinions are my own.
September 14, 2025
This book is incredible! I picked up a copy at an Adelaide comic event and it's excellent. The pace of the story is top notch, it all just works to make something magic that you can easily enjoy and connect with.
March 9, 2026
Once I started the first few pages of Luna Express, I was hooked! This book is the next step for fans of the Powerpuff Girls, Sailor Moon and K-Pop Demon Hunters!
Four super powerful young women in Perth must navigate all the challenges of their jobs, relationships and personal desires all while battling freaky monsters generated by this corrupt corporation that wants to gentrify the city and enslave everyone to their gross vision of capitalism. Sometimes the real monsters wear suits and they promote annihilation disguised as progress. This book also includes references to Australia's history and the conflict between the settlers and the native peoples. As an American reader, I was glad to explore a fictional place that brought me into a different part of the real world.
Campbell Whyte is a visionary of graphic art. These neon pink, blue, green and yellow colors are saturated with different qualities of light. All the characters have diverse body types and belong to different demographics. I am eager to see an animated TV show or even a live action version! I love the way the chapters all have names that refer to different treats from Celeste's family bakery. There are strong undercurrents of friendship and the power of community. These characters feel relatable in their motivations and personality traits. An unforgettable adrenaline rush!
Four super powerful young women in Perth must navigate all the challenges of their jobs, relationships and personal desires all while battling freaky monsters generated by this corrupt corporation that wants to gentrify the city and enslave everyone to their gross vision of capitalism. Sometimes the real monsters wear suits and they promote annihilation disguised as progress. This book also includes references to Australia's history and the conflict between the settlers and the native peoples. As an American reader, I was glad to explore a fictional place that brought me into a different part of the real world.
Campbell Whyte is a visionary of graphic art. These neon pink, blue, green and yellow colors are saturated with different qualities of light. All the characters have diverse body types and belong to different demographics. I am eager to see an animated TV show or even a live action version! I love the way the chapters all have names that refer to different treats from Celeste's family bakery. There are strong undercurrents of friendship and the power of community. These characters feel relatable in their motivations and personality traits. An unforgettable adrenaline rush!
April 12, 2026
There was a lot going on in this book,and I had a tough time following what was going on. Too many POVs, I my opinion. However, I would let to emphasize that just because it wasn’t for me, doesn’t mean that it isn’t for someone else.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews