I was going to a meteor storm and galoshes joke but I realized how much I’d hate myself.
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego #4
FINAL ISSUE!
DC Comics (January, 1997)
“Stealer By Starlight” WRITER: Barry Liebmann ARTIST: S. M. Taggart COLORIST: Rick Taylor LETTERER: Albert De Guzman EDITOR: Laura Hitchcock
The chief of GROK (Galactic Research Operating Kernel) has been trying to obtain Evan’s services…but her messengers land in the wrong spot and keep getting drafted to work on a farm. Carmen, with the help of the literal-minded Avery Littlebit Phelps, has stolen the rings of Saturn, and will also pursue the volcanoes of Mars and the eye of Jupiter to use the constellation Cassiopeia as part of her continued attempt to control time. (The comic ended before we could get a Where In Time adaptation.) While Evan keeps trying to figure this out on his own, he realizes he needs the help of the ship’s computer, Val 9000, and jazz singer Stinky Cheese. For the final battle to stop Carmen, Evan’s ACME pals pop up to help save the day.
What they got right: They may not have gotten to Where In Time but they got Where In Space adapted. I looked a bit into the game and they got the chief and computer right (although at the time I read this I didn’t know the Grok chief was female because they gave no indication of gender that I recall).
What they got wrong: The aliens who look like furniture gag got old fast. There was also a subplot that GROK left a clone of Evan behind to deal with his bully cousin that was unnecessary.
Recommendation: This wasn’t the strongest ending and I can see why the comic never went beyond this issue. Still, if you come across it the miniseries isn’t bad for the kids and they might learn something about geography, history, and outer space.
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