What do you think?
Rate this book
Space Battle Lunchtime #1
Space Battle Lunchtime Vol. 1: Lights, Camera, Snacktion
Collecting the first four issues of Natalie Riess's delectable series, SPACE BATTLE LUNCHTIME! Earth baker Peony gets the deal of a lifetime when she agrees to be a contestant on the Universe's hottest reality TV show, Space Battle Lunchtime! But that was before she knew that it shoots on location... on a spaceship... and her alien competitors don't play nice! Does Peony really have what it takes to be the best cook in the Galaxy? Tune in and find out!
120 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2016
69 people are currently reading
1337 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Riess
40 books94 followersNatalie Riess is an American artist, illustrator, and webcomic creator. She gained public recognition after her comic Space Battle Lunchtime was published by Oni Press in 2016. Her webcomic Dungeon Critters created with Sara Goetter was published by First Second Books in 2020.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews
July 30, 2019
Absolutely adorable. I really liked this one!
November 14, 2017
If one of the urchins in this house comes to me and sez, "Dad, you gotta read this," I read it. And did. And liked it. We have two young wannabe celebrity chefs in this house, so you can see why they might enjoy a series about an intergalactic chef competition featuring bookish (meaning: bespectacled and somewhat shy) Earth cupcake chef Peony and alien chefs Neptunia, Melonhead, Jacques, Owline, Meatabax and Cherisa. Extras include Space Food requests taken from Twitter. I like the artwork and maybe particularly the color, but okay, everything is adorable.
Are there other comics series about food? There are plenty of manga series about food and wine! And Lucy Knisley, a chef and cartoonist, writes comics about her life as a chef. Great stuff.
Are there other comics series about food? There are plenty of manga series about food and wine! And Lucy Knisley, a chef and cartoonist, writes comics about her life as a chef. Great stuff.
November 9, 2017
Space Battle Lunchtime is a cute and entertaining comic series about Penny and her adventure competing to be the greatest chef in the galaxy. If you enjoy watching cooking show competitions on TV, there's no doubt that you will also enjoy reading the 1st volume of this comic series.
Thank you to Oni Press for sending me a free copy of this.
Thank you to Oni Press for sending me a free copy of this.
July 8, 2017
This isn’t something that I would normally read, but seeing as I got it as a freebie from the publisher as part of a newsletter, I had nothing to lose. The thing that caught me by surprise was that I had a lot of fun reading it. Not to say that I expected it to be bad, but I certainly did not expect to like it as much as I did. I started it, and without even knowing in half an hour I was done and craving for more.
The best way this graphic novel could be described is by using just 3 words: Masterchef in space. It sounds ridiculous and it is, but it’s not like it takes itself seriously. I’m currently reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series and this little graphic novels fits surprisingly well in that world, which is probably why I embraced its weirdness from the get go.
For what is basically a cooking competition, the plot of the book had an intensity which made it even harder to put down, all this is helped by the GORGEOUS artwork and a lot of creativity both in the design of the aliens, the world and of course, the food (it’s about cooking after all). A relaxing read that is bound to put a smile on your face.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because it was too cute not to.
The best way this graphic novel could be described is by using just 3 words: Masterchef in space. It sounds ridiculous and it is, but it’s not like it takes itself seriously. I’m currently reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series and this little graphic novels fits surprisingly well in that world, which is probably why I embraced its weirdness from the get go.
For what is basically a cooking competition, the plot of the book had an intensity which made it even harder to put down, all this is helped by the GORGEOUS artwork and a lot of creativity both in the design of the aliens, the world and of course, the food (it’s about cooking after all). A relaxing read that is bound to put a smile on your face.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because it was too cute not to.
July 31, 2019
This was simply adorable! I love a good comic about cooking and this definitely was what I was looking for. Plus, it is set in space and there are a lot of different alien forms that we get to discover throughout the book. Peony, the main character, is the cutest and I loved all her creations/recipes.
I’m surely going to read the second volume soon!
I’m surely going to read the second volume soon!
August 8, 2019
🤷♀️ I dunno, it was cute and fun but really not memorable and just... didn't do a lot for me? I hate giving "meh" reviews because it's so hard for me to rate. There's nothing wrong with it, but...
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
January 6, 2018
Cute!
October 1, 2017
My God, the absolute cuteness of this intergalactic cooking TV competition was undeniable. And the cliffhanger really got me...
October 1, 2017
Imagine Iron Chef in space. That is the basic concept of this story. Peony, a baker from Earth, gets selected as a last minute replacement for a galactic cooking competition show. She's thrown into the competition without getting any instruction on how to use the equipment or any information about the ingredients (some of the ingredients are quite weird). Peony is a great character. She keeps a bright and positive outlook on what is going on even if she doesn't have any idea of what is happening. The art style perfectly matches this bright and positive attitude.
One thing to note is that this seems to be written for younger readers, however there is a rival show where chefs hunt and cook each other, which seems surprisingly dark for this story. It also comes out that Peony's predecessor was kidnapped and sent to this show and perhaps eaten. Nothing is shown on-page, but I feel that it would have been better to keep that sort of thing out of the story.
One thing to note is that this seems to be written for younger readers, however there is a rival show where chefs hunt and cook each other, which seems surprisingly dark for this story. It also comes out that Peony's predecessor was kidnapped and sent to this show and perhaps eaten. Nothing is shown on-page, but I feel that it would have been better to keep that sort of thing out of the story.
December 22, 2016
Exactly what I was hoping for: Iron Chef in Spaaaaaace! So much fun.
November 12, 2017
4.0 Stars
This is a super cute all-ages graphic novel that combines delicious cooking and science fiction with this fun alien reality tv show drama.
This is a super cute all-ages graphic novel that combines delicious cooking and science fiction with this fun alien reality tv show drama.
July 17, 2018
I really liked the story of this comic – much more than the graphics. Earthgirl baker Petunia gets chosen to enter an intergalactic cooking contest, Greatest Chef in the Galaxy, competing against a weird array of aliens, with an even weirder array of foodstuffs. Will Petunia’s cupcakes get universal acclaim? Competition is fierce, and not all chefs play by the rules. Chefs that are eliminated from the contest seem to wind up (voluntarily?) in another competition: “Cannibal Coliseum”.
After the initial shock of going off world, and meeting some very weird beings, Petunia settles down and appears to (surprisingly) do well in the contest, which antagonises some of the other chefs – especially Chef Melonhead.
All the chefs apart from Petunia have strange names, and even stranger bodies. I found this aspect a bit much to cope with, but the comic is directed at much younger readers than me, so most targeted readers will probably find that aspect a winner. I was also not really enamoured of the garish colouring of the drawings and the over-emphasis of expressions (again, the fuddy-duddy) with even Petunia switching colour at random.
The one character (apart from Petunia) that I did like, was Chef Neptunia, who I had down as the mysterious, aloof sexy male love interest, an alien Mr D’arcy. Neptunia’s physique was close to human (apart from the blue skin), with a very attractive side quiff.
At the end of Issue four (and end of my copy), there was a very useful “spectacular insight” into the alien chefs who had made their appearances. It just showed how little I had gathered from the preceding pages about the chefs.
I did enjoy the story, but probably not enough to continue with further issues of “Space Battle Lunchtime”
After the initial shock of going off world, and meeting some very weird beings, Petunia settles down and appears to (surprisingly) do well in the contest, which antagonises some of the other chefs – especially Chef Melonhead.
All the chefs apart from Petunia have strange names, and even stranger bodies. I found this aspect a bit much to cope with, but the comic is directed at much younger readers than me, so most targeted readers will probably find that aspect a winner. I was also not really enamoured of the garish colouring of the drawings and the over-emphasis of expressions (again, the fuddy-duddy) with even Petunia switching colour at random.
The one character (apart from Petunia) that I did like, was Chef Neptunia, who I had down as the mysterious, aloof sexy male love interest, an alien Mr D’arcy. Neptunia’s physique was close to human (apart from the blue skin), with a very attractive side quiff.
At the end of Issue four (and end of my copy), there was a very useful “spectacular insight” into the alien chefs who had made their appearances. It just showed how little I had gathered from the preceding pages about the chefs.
I did enjoy the story, but probably not enough to continue with further issues of “Space Battle Lunchtime”
June 24, 2021
this has everything that i love: space, baking, colors, pretty art, competition! and it seems that its going to get even better.
May 27, 2019
I am not a foodie, but I keep coming across all these enjoyable LGBTQ graphic novels about cooking and baking (see also: Meal and Bloom). The food here is a bit yucky as the story is set in outer space and makes use of alien ingredients, but I'm enjoying the simple plot and engaging characters. Looking forward to volume two!
(More cooking fun can be found in Food Wars!, Vol. 1 and Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1.)
(More cooking fun can be found in Food Wars!, Vol. 1 and Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1.)
December 22, 2016
O...M...G. I think I just died of adorable and I must have more of this series! Space Battle Lunchtime is a comic series aimed at younger readers about a woman who ends up competing on an alien competition cooking show. Simple set-up, hilarious payoff! Plus there's some lovely lady crushing going on :) This is a fantastic, colourful, funny, and heartfelt book that's just perfect for kids, teens, and adults alike. Seriously, where is volume 2?
March 20, 2022
I'm living for middlegrade graphic novels! This is such a quick, light read, I really enjoyed it. It's so creative, and even if there isn't much depth to the story or the world building, it's very detailed and fun! However, I did think it could have been somewhat longer - I felt like the story was barely getting started when I finished this first volume.
September 10, 2017
Well that was cute.
I really liked the art style, it's definitely something that made this read even more enjoyable.
I was expecting a bit more from this story tbh, like Peony has no problem competing in a space culinary competition, she didn't know some people lived in space but why not? I don't know, it was a bit too convenient for me.
The story is cool, but nothing much happened in 125 pages or so . . . so I don't know, I probably won't be continuing this series because I'm not that much intrigued in knowing what happens next.
2.5
Thank you Diamond Book Distributors for providing me an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the art style, it's definitely something that made this read even more enjoyable.
I was expecting a bit more from this story tbh, like Peony has no problem competing in a space culinary competition, she didn't know some people lived in space but why not? I don't know, it was a bit too convenient for me.
The story is cool, but nothing much happened in 125 pages or so . . . so I don't know, I probably won't be continuing this series because I'm not that much intrigued in knowing what happens next.
2.5
Thank you Diamond Book Distributors for providing me an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2020
I love books and comics centered on cooking and food so I was excited to pick this up. I'd never read anything by the author but the artwork as well as the script were really interesting. I loved the concept of different cuisines and ingredients from different planets, the species and obviously the cooking competition scenario. I do wish it were a bit longer – I get why it ended how it did and that'll continue in the next volumes but I think there could have been more details about the show or Peony studying alien ingredients for the next rounds....
Looking forward to the next chapters. :)
Looking forward to the next chapters. :)
July 28, 2023
Fun graphic novel series with a queer girl main character, about an intergalactic high-stakes cooking competition reality show. I'd felt lukewarm about the pitch for this because I've never really watched cooking shows, but I'm so glad I got over myself and gave it a shot. Peony, a baker from Earth, gets picked to compete in an elimination-style cooking program. The competition is much more brutal and backstabbing than she'd imagined, threatening not only her dreams for the prize but her budding romance with fellow chef Neptunia. Totally satisfying "underdog wins the day with help from her friends" story. My son (nine at the time) fell for this instantly. Can't wait to see what Riess does next.
July 3, 2017
Adorable, cute, great.
Both of my coworkers took this out to our schools in June 2017, so our kids want it pretty badly.
I agree with the people who say it would have been more satisfying to have a complete story (i.e. a complete competition) in this volume, rather than leaving things at such a big cliffhanger.
The variety of alien lifeforms reminded me of Zita the Spacegirl. There's very little character work - we get thrown right into the action. The fully saturated illustrations are great.
Both of my coworkers took this out to our schools in June 2017, so our kids want it pretty badly.
I agree with the people who say it would have been more satisfying to have a complete story (i.e. a complete competition) in this volume, rather than leaving things at such a big cliffhanger.
The variety of alien lifeforms reminded me of Zita the Spacegirl. There's very little character work - we get thrown right into the action. The fully saturated illustrations are great.
October 3, 2020
Sweet, lightweight scifi comic about an intergalactic iron chef competition. Some nice absurd moments, and the character is a sweet mary sue, buy the plot was pretty conventional. Like a yummy sweet and buttery cheese Danish, but not enough for a full meal.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2018
This was super adorable. That cliffhanger, tho!!!!
August 17, 2019
This is so good. Such an original premise intergalactic cooking competition of space age proportions. Millyways makes an appearance. Can't wait to see what happens next. Cannibal Coliseum sounds intense!
May 23, 2018
Meet the chefs in Space Battle Lunchtime!
Portland Oregon's Oni Press has recently published Natalie Riess's wonderfully fun cartoon sequential art reality show in book form--with some daring escapes, wild cupcakes, and a bit of queer romance.
You won't find too many surprises in terms of plot for this intergalactic adventure--there are decidedly good good guys with their crew of helpers, and bad guys muahaha who want to take over the world (of intergalactic TV cook-offs), a Han-Solo (meets cool punk rock queer alien) type, Neptunia, who is the love interest of the protagonist Peony, and a whole host of kind of random creepy and adorable critters (and maybe some creepily adorable and adorably creepy ones?).
If you want a complex plot line with characters who are sophisticatedly multi-dimensional, go elsewhere. But if you want a fun and charming and silly romp that involves queer romance, stellar desserts, and an evil, scheming, pumpkin-headed chef, here's the book for you!
Be warned, Volume 1 ends in a cliff hanger, so once you get to the end of it, you'll want to read volume 2!!!
Portland Oregon's Oni Press has recently published Natalie Riess's wonderfully fun cartoon sequential art reality show in book form--with some daring escapes, wild cupcakes, and a bit of queer romance.
You won't find too many surprises in terms of plot for this intergalactic adventure--there are decidedly good good guys with their crew of helpers, and bad guys muahaha who want to take over the world (of intergalactic TV cook-offs), a Han-Solo (meets cool punk rock queer alien) type, Neptunia, who is the love interest of the protagonist Peony, and a whole host of kind of random creepy and adorable critters (and maybe some creepily adorable and adorably creepy ones?).
If you want a complex plot line with characters who are sophisticatedly multi-dimensional, go elsewhere. But if you want a fun and charming and silly romp that involves queer romance, stellar desserts, and an evil, scheming, pumpkin-headed chef, here's the book for you!
Be warned, Volume 1 ends in a cliff hanger, so once you get to the end of it, you'll want to read volume 2!!!
December 23, 2018
this is such cute shit !!!
i absolutely love all the alien designs, they are so much fun! i don't think there were two who looked alike & it's so cool to see, when we so often have to suffer aliens just looking like humans.
there are also hints of a sapphic relationship and i cannot wait to see how that develops!
i absolutely love all the alien designs, they are so much fun! i don't think there were two who looked alike & it's so cool to see, when we so often have to suffer aliens just looking like humans.
there are also hints of a sapphic relationship and i cannot wait to see how that develops!
September 23, 2020
Cute, and I’m super into how each section started off like a tv episode with a recap. That cliffhanger 😅 Definitely wanting to read the next soon
![Profile Image for Nessa [October Tune].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1767728675i%2F7750565._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 4, 2021
3.5*
This was cute and I like the art style. Ended way too abruptly, though I get why it ended there. Will probably pick up the sequel asap!
This was cute and I like the art style. Ended way too abruptly, though I get why it ended there. Will probably pick up the sequel asap!
May 21, 2022
Very cute (despite the content warnings below) and great for fans of sci-fi and baking competition shows :)
CW: brief violence, references to cannibalism, kidnapping
CW: brief violence, references to cannibalism, kidnapping
May 5, 2024
masterchef meets space but make it queer!
this was super super cute uhh why did it have to end on a cliffhanger 😭
this was super super cute uhh why did it have to end on a cliffhanger 😭
October 27, 2018
This was a cute and quick read. The illustrations in this book were bright and just they way I like them. It ends on a cliffhanger and I want to know what will happen next. I do not think that I have ever been more edited to read the next volume in a graphic novel series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews