If you are someone who has been of cartoon-watching age (or of cartoon-watching habit, for that matter) sometime in the mid 90s, then there is a good chance that you remember the 'Biker Mice from Mars' show, you might even remember the slightly older 'Robo Force' toyline. You definitely also know that toy and comic book tie-ins for animated shows has been a decades-old tradition when it comes to cartoon entertainment. This book collects two of the latest such entries, as parts of the NacelleVerse, with the storylines setting up their respective animated series.

This volume includes the two runs of RoboForce #1–3 and Biker Mice from Mars #1–3, as well as NacelleVerse #0, all written by Melissa Flores whose excellent 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' and 'The Dead Lucky' runs have already established her as an ideal creator to handle similar material. It also features art by Rahmat Handoko, Rhoald Marcellius, Francis Portela, Diogenes Neves, and other well-known names in comics. Beyond the undeniably talented team behind it, and beyond its status as a cartoon tie-in, this book is actually an also pretty fun read.

With similar tie-ins, it's not uncommon for the quality to be less than stellar, and for the books to only exist as promotional, nostalgia-bait material. So it was good to see that this is certainly not the case here. There are the familiar characters and lore, but there is also a well-crafted storyline that combines both feeling true to the original and also fitting modern standards. Overall an enjoyable, action-packed, and nostalgia-fuelled read, whether you're already a fan or you're curious to discover those franchises.

A big thank you to Oni Press for providing an advance review copy of the book.

Oni Press and the Nacelle Company have joined forces to bring your treasured Saturday Morning Cartoons and your favorite Nacelle Company’s classic toy line to life for a new generation.

Melissa Flores has written a fantastic script that sticks to the source material, but also builds on it and somehow laces each one together with the finesse of a seasoned writer.

Nacelleverse Vol. 1 contains Nacelleverse #0, Biker Mice from Mars #1-3, and RoboForce #1-3. Each are illustrated with impeccable skill and I often caught myself feeling very nostalgic and as if I was still sitting in front of my grandparents’ old wooden framed television on that fuzzy, beige, shag carpet.

Our adventure begins with The Great Garloo who finds himself on a ride through a universe filled with Power Lords, RoboForce, Biker Mice from Mars, Sectaurs: Warriors of Symbion, Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, Barnyard Commandos, and even more in surprising cameo appearances.

Next, we delve deeper into the tale of the Biker Mice from Mars, Throttle, Vinnie, and Moto. as they defend their homeworld, Mars, from the evil Plutarkians.

This is followed by a wonderful story about Maxx 89, Detonator, and the RoboForce, a crew of robots in the 22nd Century who have seemingly fallen into obscurity.

Each of these stand well on their own, but connect through a shared thread of belonging and purpose. I will always love a good underdog or Robin Hood character and they have those in spades. The Great Groo is easy to love and is such a sympathetic character. The biker mice each are unique characters, but Throttle’s plight struck on my heartstrings, and the ragtag RoboForce will be an inspiration to many.

If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, I would highly recommend this for nostalgics, young readers, and anyone who enjoys a fun read.

I always describe myself as someone who doesn’t want the story to end, whether it’s a movie, book, cartoon or (in this case) a toy line. A ton of the media I consumed as a child of the 80s was all to sell toys but that is not necessary a bad thing. Some of the greatest storytelling grew out of this. That brings me to this volume of stories including the Nacelleverse #0 issue and then two mini-series featuring Biker Mice From Mars and Roboforce respectively. I enjoyed them all very much and I especially liked the universe building tale that lead the series off. It was fun and didn’t rely solely on nostalgia to tell a good story. I’m already excited to see what Nacelle has in store for us next.

Special Thanks to Oni Press, The Nacelle Company and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review

I liked the Biker Mice From Mars cartoon when I was a kid. And this graphic novel explains the origin of the Biker Mice on Mars. I really enjoyed the story of their beginning. It also contains a story about RoboForce. I wasn't really familiar with them, but enjoyed the story about them.
If you are a fan of the cartoons and toys of both franchises, you will like this graphic novel. The writer does an excellent job with the characters. I look forward to reading more from the Nacelleverse.

A fast-paced, action-packed comic with a perfect mix of nostalgia and fresh twists. The story is gripping, with emotional depth and high stakes, while the art brings it all to life. A must-read for any comic fan!