Stephen McCranie's Space Boy Volume 14

Space Boy #14

by Stephen McCranie

Something dark grows at the heart of the First Contact Project.

Amy settles into her new routine of exercise, work, and chatting with Oliver, trying to put the specter of homecoming behind her. But life in the FCP is anything but boring, as she and Qiana begin unravelling the conspiracy within the agency, one which takes them all the way to the office of the Director himself!

Meanwhile in Kokomo, Cassie, Tammie, and Schafer begin their own investigation into Amy’s disappearance, and far out in space, Oliver has a revelation.

All that and more in the latest exciting volume of Stephen McCranie’s Space Boy!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Comics, Fiction, Graphic Novels Manga, Teen

216 pages, Paperback

Published December 13, 2022

About the author

Stephen McCranie has been drawing comics since before he could read or write. He graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Fine Arts and currently lives and works out of a small apartment in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy learns more about Qiana and the other members of the First Contact Project while spending way too much time in ever increasing dream sequences with the alien.

Meanwhile, it seems most of the supporting cast -- who think Amy is missing or dead -- have begun independent investigations into the cover-up and conspiracy behind the South Pines homecoming attack.

I guess this is going to be the story for a while yet, and I can't say I'm happy with it. It's still good overall, but my interest is ticking down ever so slightly with every volume.

The Foot Code: Cassie brings the tiptoe in her sassy capri pants, and when Amy dreams herself back into her homecoming dress she is on pointe again. Everyone else, except the alien, seems to be flat-footed all the time now.

Side note: Episode #224 is not included in this collection as it is a rather long side story about Li'l Amy and Jemmah creating a Christmas picture book together. It is available online here:
https://www.webtoons.com/en/sf/space-...

[Samyuktha Sundar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one could’ve been a mini therapy session… very relatable!

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen McCranie's Space Boy Volume 14 is, at the moment, the penultimate volume in the Space Boy YA graphic novel Sci Fi adventure series. At the moment, Chap 15 appears to be the last chapter.

A few things going on in this chapter. Amy continues to develop a relationship (might it become a friendship) with Qiana. Amy is dealing with panic attacks, especially when she is sleeping / dreaming. Who is this Wanderer who infiltrates her dreams? And why is he helping new character Silber to remove Tamara's memories of her kidnapping. Back in Kokomo, Cassie and Schafer try to discover what happened to Tamara and also Amy. The local police are being hampered by Silber (who claims to be from Homeland) but actually works for FCP and Langley.

Amy maintains contact with Oliver, aka Space Boy, trying to keep him from being too lonely out in space. It's a bit slower paced (maybe) but there is still tension, especially in Kokomo as we follow Silber's activities. Not a lot is tied up but the story moves along steadily and holds your attention. The art work continues to be excellent and the story and characters are well thought out. Looking forward to continuing the story. (4.0 stars)

[Literary Strawberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe Oliver is canonically a brony

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Diana-christie Biancardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Oliver! :)

[Tiuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great idea to make a ‘deal’ to eat if the other person does. I need and love the positivity this comic brings to my life. And just like Oliver and Amy find some comfort and solace by watching a little children’s show together, this comic has done the same for me…continuing to touch me on a profoundly deep level.

[Jen (The Jenerator) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good as always! The plot thickens!

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhh this series. I need more.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oliver's confession was "great." Haha. They're adorable.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy is stuck inside the "compound" and continues to have weird dreams. Nothing much more happens in this book. I hope they stay as engaging as they have been up to this point.

[mad mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss. Content warning for PTSD.)

The latest volume of SPACE BOY is a strange beast; it feels like nothing much happens, plot-wise, and yet it's still pretty compelling. If I had to pick a central theme of this collection, it would be "forgiveness."

Amy tries her best to settle in to her new life at the First Contact Project. Though she now wears a uniform, nothing much is required of her, which gives her lots of time to fill. In an especially relatable scene, she 'wastes' an entire day binge-watches a kids' show (Puffy Pets: Love Is Magic) with Oliver; they both agree that it's "comfort food" for the soul. She pays a visit to Dr. Kim's lab, where he shows her his latest project - an honest-to-goodness body for Oliver (enter: robot puppy!). And she befriends a very angry Qiana - yes, the same Qiana who attacked Cassie and kidnapped Tamara. Meanwhile, reeling over the 'termination' of her mentor Saito, Qiana opens her own covert investigation into the FCP.

Back in Kokomo, Tamara is 'rescued' from her kidnappers - in a National Security operation that is totally, 100% not sketchy. The take-no-BS Cassie - who is looking into the South Pines incident with an equally concerned and almost charmingly naive Schafer - is immediately suspicious of the new lead on the case, James Silbert. I can't wait to see what she does with Amy's newly discovered glasses.

Also, as alluded to in this review's content warning, Amy struggles with PTSD, including anxiety attacks and nightmares, stemming from her near-death experience. And the otherworldly alien creature invading Amy's thoughts is building a matchstick bridge to space - what's up with that?

As always, the art is super-adorable and makes sometimes-difficult concepts go down a little easier. And there's a baby Amy strip to lighten things up at the end!

*****

Here's a breakdown of the episodes contained in each TPB. Sometimes I borrow the books from the library, other times I receive early electronic review copies online - and to bridge the gaps in between, I read the strips on Webtoons. Forever and always do I tear my hair out trying to figure out which strips I missed in between the collected volumes.

Volume 01 - episodes 1-16

Volume 02 - episodes 17-32

Volume 03 - episodes 33-48

Volume 04 - episodes 49-60

Volume 05 - episodes 61-75 (I think)

Volume 06 - episodes 76-92

Volume 07 - episodes 95-110

Volume 08 - episodes 111-126

Volume 09 - episodes 127-143

Volume 10 - episodes 144-159

Volume 11 - episodes 160-175

Volume 12 - episodes 176-195

Volume 13 - episodes 196-210

Volume 14 - episodes 211–223 and 225–226

[AquaMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series is picking up speed again, the plot is thickening, and that makes me happy. I can't wait to see what happens next!

That bit when Amy and Oliver watch Puffy Pets together is just too adorable!!

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm simply astonished that Space Boy continues to effortlessly capture my attention 14 volumes in. Such a silly, simple story that just goes on... and yet, I'm here for it.

There are a few more twists than usual in this fourteenth volume, marking it as an improvement on the last few low-drama outings. Cassie and Schafer are starting to suspect something is up, Tammie's abduction mystery is solved-ish, and Amy continues to bond with Oliver (and struggle to befriend cold Qiana). I'm not really sure what these plotlines are building towards, but at least they're building in this volume!

[Sarah]

the cover was poorly done i have ALWAYS thought this man had wolf ears until today

amy is beginning to annoy me. she’s too positive. just be normal and be mean for once in your life ok

as bad as it is that amy’s having horrible dreams about her traumatic experiences, i am glad that she’s wearing the homecoming dress during them. i love that dress and i’m glad i get to see more of it
poor ames tho

poor qiana. goin from no roommate to a roomie with nightmares who keeps wakin ya up in the middle of the night cuz of em

they told them amy is dead that is absolutely DIABOLICAL. her poor parents??? and yah amy they are NAWT planning on letting you go

tammie is so cool i did not expect her to be made of STEEL like
she remembered something you can tell she lies right to his face. she’s so brave actually

the god-worship of uglydumbbutt is that what i called him or was it uglydumbbuttface no it was uglydumbbutt
anyway that’s getting weird

i tried to like the puffy pets show but i’m sorry man. that’s just cringe
i’m no stranger to enjoying content which is far too young for me, believe me. but that puffy pets show is a bit too much
or maybe not idk im reconsidering.
“i am running away bcuz i am going to be banished from this kingdom. do not try to stop me.”
“i will not try to stop you. i am joining you.”
“why??”
“because i love you.”
like that goes hard actually. banger. and then the “we’re coming with you too because we love you too!! and also because we stole stuff and gotta run!!” hilarious. banger.
ok so i like the writing but not how it looks that’s what we’ve determined then

oh dude did we really need to see oliver in just his boxers?? that was unnecessary give the kid some privacy

the way he shook after he hung up with amy LOL

amy should NAWT have tried to hug qiana that was uncalled for. she said stop and you were like awww cmon just one little huggg
if you want to be friends with her then maybe start with respecting her personal space??? don’t try to force her to hug you. you’re already invading her space by being her roommate (which, too be fair, was the choice of neither of you), so like, girl, ESPECIALLY don’t do that?? you was in the wrong there, amy. even if she wasn’t feeling guilty for concussing cassie and kidnapping tamara she might still have snapped at you and she had every right to honestly. she said DONT HUG ME and the correct response is to STOP TRYING TO HUG HER
amy’s villian arc is hugging people against their will lol

maybe they could pull footage from amy’s broken glasses

so sad the it guy died. as an it guy myself im like nO my pEOpLe
he was gonna be robot crimes guy but no more 😢

my prof today said something like “camera guy—or girl. camera person” and i was like no babe no it’s ok we knew what you meant. i can be a camera guy too
and whenever people apologize for saying GUYS like cmon now y’all guys is anyone. you know how many times i, as a girl, have referred to groups entirely consisting of fellow females, with “guys?” like “hey guys” and it’s all my gal pals
and no one ever objected
GIRLS R GUYS TOO OK JUST LET ME MIDWEST IN PEACE
anyway this has nothing to do with space boy. i just wanted to justify my choice to refer to myself as an it guy
for anyone who might read this and be confused by that word choice
no one is going to read this. except me. at two am
gosh DANG man it’s 12:10 (12:20 now. bayyyyyby girl. how do you keep doing this) i have GOT to get going to bed earlier. it is a MIDTERM tomorrow ugh anyway
spaceboy
now i’m just procrastinating bed
i gotta listen to amy and take care of myself no matter how i’m feeling
i like how qiana phrased it. treat yourself like a stubborn toddler. firm, but gentle
we’re all just big toddlers aren’t we

dude how do you pronounce qiana. the way i am proncing i think it is SUPER PRETTY but i have the horrible feeling that it is ENTIRELY WRONG

yanno, as annoyed as i once was by how the females never seemed to have feet, now that the pointy legs are disappearing, i am beginning to miss them. funny how that works huh

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schafer and Cassie are pushing the police in Kokomo to look harder for Tammie and Amy, but only one of them is successful. Amy is trying to befriend Qiana and find her place at the FCP, but Qiana is struggling with guilt and the affects of being tainted by the alien creature who hunts Amy in her dreams. The National Security agency is trying to cover things up. And Amy and Oliver spend time together binge-watching a cozy children's show.

I love Amy's kind heart so much. The way she responds to Qiana is such an amazing model for readers of the power of responding in kindness and grace instead of anger (even when anger is justified). So, so beautiful. Amy and Oliver watching the show together is cute, and I'm cheering for Cassie to not drop the case and for Tammie to surprise people with her memory. Can't wait for the next book.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Manipulating memories and mental attacks are attempted. Kidnapping is part of the story. A death is part of the story.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy has more free time at FCP and is able to chat with Oliver who is happy to show her his world. Qiana has issues that Amy sees as bad flavor, she's been influenced by the one eyed entity that visits Amy in her dreams but erases the memory of the visit. But Amy can taste the copper and iodine she's come to recognize as it's poison. It has gotten into the heads of many of the FCP. So far Amy has been able to block it from her mind but for how long? Qiana needs Amy's help but doesn't even realize it. Cassie and Schafer have decided to investigate Amy and Tammie's disappearances themselves as the police seem to be doing nothing. These teens are impressive. They're deep thinkers and aren't afraid to take action.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Things that were once a little slow are really zipping along now that Oliver is so close to the end goal. Lots of Tammie, Cassie and Schaefer in this one which I hope has a positive outcome. The Wanderer is certainly creepy and seems to be everywhere. Amy seems to be at risk of failing to him but her positivity keeps her going. Amy is quite the opposite of me so it’s odd that I enjoy her so much, but overall this is one of the absolute best graphic novel series that I’ve ever read. It’s consistently good and always leaves me wanting more.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a standout volume, but still completely engaging. Something in the look in Cassie’s eyes makes me think she’s not buying the cover up story that Silber has crafted. I think she’ll be responsible for spearheading a rescue mission for Amy.
And speaking of lies- I feel that Tammie was lying as well and that she does remember despite all efforts to make her forget.
I’m getting pretty pumped for Oliver to arrive at the artifact. I just NEED to know what the heck is in it.
The binge session that Amy and Oliver shared was a sweet interlude between this volume’s more serious developments.

[D.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Webtoon Readers, this volume ends at episode 226

I'm really loving the exploration of mental health and the darker themes. Amy is so soft-hearted, but she's managing her best with her present circumstances. The police cover-up story is also interesting to watch. They've made a mistake underestimating Cassie.

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I visited Amy and Oliver!

And I had a lot of fun returning. While some of the specifics of the previous action took a minute to come back, I felt right at home with McCranie's generous art and effective story telling.

Yeah, I know I could just read the web comic and be caught up. I happen to think that waiting is more fun.

[Christine Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another beautiful collection of episodes from Stephen McCranie. Each volume in the Space Boy series both answers my questions and prods me to ask even more. This book beautifully weaves together ten years of story into a single volume, introducing more complex characters into the narrative. I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some important developments in this volume. The whole situation does seem a bit more hopeless now that we know that the police and national security and FCP are all working to cover up what happened. Also, with the Wanderer being in contact with Silber, I'm curious what is going to happen. I would still recommend this for late teens.

[Adam Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dialogue and the rate at which this story unfolds is consistently excellent. It's rare that an all ages scifi story about space travel and government conspiracies is such a light, natural, easy read.

[Emily]

dang, this series! there's just so much, stuff, to it! such a fascinating and honestly great mix of genres and plots and characters and relationships and then stuff about mental health and emotional intelligence like wut

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Came in way into the series and perhaps graphic novels don’t provide discrete stories throughout the series but this feels incredibly incomplete. Can’t recommend although the graphics are good and I liked the inserted stories.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine but seems to suffer from "middle book syndrome" in that all the chess pieces were moved into better position but nothing really happens, no major developments, no new storylines, just moving the characters farther along the plot. So it was fine.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy and Oliver spend more time "together". Cassie and Schafer try to convince the police to find Tammie and Amy. Tammie is returned, but at least some of her memories are wiped.

[Emily Ledger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great lesson about fear. Really love this series.

[Kizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️