THE STORY OF A GIRL LOST IN OUTER SPACE

Monica is an average earthgirl, with maybe a bit more spunk than is typical, who now finds herself separated from the family, friends, and world she knows. So how does a 5-foot, 2-inches, 19-year-old college-sophomore who's never been out of the country and is thrust into a new and frightening reality eventually find herself an interstellar adventurer and champion? Suddenly finding herself transported into a spaceship by aliens who really are little, green men, a terrified Monica Moon is taken to the far reaches of outer space in a space. Locked in a cell and fearing she's doomed, the ship is suddenly rocked by explosions. Now very sure she's doomed, Monica waits for the end but soon has her cell door opened by what appear to be humans, led by the handsome Captain Marus Glaxion of the Planetary Federation, and is saved. Sort of. Throwing herself upon her rescuer and babbling her thanks, she eventually realizes she can't understand a word he's saying. Marus gives Monica a universal translator, and suddenly she can understand Marus and all the other aliens, including her defeated captors.

Thinking she's rescued, Monica is devastated to find that no one knows just where Earth is. Marus has never heard of it and the Zutons, her abductors, had their computers destroyed in the battle and can' be expected to remember every little planet they visit or where every insignificant specimen was picked up. So for now she's stuck in space with no way of finding her way home. And what a weird space it is, like something out of her grandfather's old movie serials: the rockets have fins, the people wear bubble helmets and jet packs, blinking gizmos everywhere. Of all the freed captives, only Monica and one small, fuzzy creature are left unidentified. Even worse for the other creature, his is the first language that the translator won't work on, so the Federation troops decide he must not be intelligent. Monica sees another lost and lonely creature like herself and, identifying with this homeless alien, Monica makes him a pet of sorts, and, in time, becomes the only one who can understand him. She names him Woody because he sounds like Woodstock from the Charlie Brown cartoons. She's taken back to the main base of the Planetary Federation, who are fighting against the evil Emperor of Space, Varnex.

Before she can begin to adapt to this new life, Varnex' forces attack, and Monica and Woody, wanting to see what happens, sneak aboard Marus' spaceship and are wisked away into an all-out space war. During the terrible battle their ship is hit, and Marus is injured, leaving Monica to try to land the hurtling spaceship... on the Emperor's homeworld! Good thing she learned how to do this kind of thing by playing video games! All three jetpack out of the crushed ship but are soon captured and brought before Emperor Varnex. Marus is sent to the radioactive mines, but Monica, unfortunately catching the Emperor's eye, is sent to his harem, along with Woody. But Monica won't stand long for this, breaks free, and sneaks and fights her way through the palace to rescue Marus, as he is her only chance of escape... and he is gorgeous, to boot. She rescues Marus and the other slaves, and, before stealing a spaceship, jams up the Emperor's mine machinery, leading to an explosion that destroys the Emperor's palace and more just as they take off.

Once back to the Planetary Federation, Monica is hailed as a hero. The General, seeing Monica's resourcefulness, makes her a special cadet in the service of Marus, at least until someone figures out where Earth is. Marus, though a great and confident soldier and hero of the people, turns out to be all thumbs around women and is confused by this. Monica is, of course, thrilled at this chance to be with Marus. As the story closes we see Monica in her new uniform, accompanied by Woody, and ready to begin her new duties. She is sad and a little lonely, missing Earth, but is proud of what's she's done and how she is managing, looking forward to an adventure no other Earth girl has had.

As the series progresses we'll see Monica, along with Woody, doing her best to not only adapt to, but to excel, in this new life. There's high adventure, the search for earth, and the pursuit of Marus. Marus is a good teacher and can be fun to be with, but hint at romance and his composure is gone. Other characters in the series are:

• Woody, another alien lost in space and Monica's companion in this predicament, brings a little comic relief. Monica can expound to him, revealing her thoughts and moving the narration along. Also, as no one but Monica can understand him, not even the reader, Woody can say things that probably shouldn't be said but are hinted at by Monica's responses.

• General Lonto Trex, a kindly, older man, scarred from many battles. He is a great planner and leader, determined to win freedom for all the planets while keeping up the morale of his troops.

• Quella, the spoiled daughter of the Planetary Federation's great leader, General Lonto Trex, who abuses her position to get her way with all around, demanding privileges and favors. She is also out to snare Marus and takes a special pleasure in making Monica's life difficult.
  
• Varnex, the Emperor of Space, leader of the Stellar Empire, is a tyrant ruling over the many planets he's conquered and continues to win out over more. However, he's petty enough to focus on his own selfish pursuits, such as his sudden fixation with Monica.
  
• Vushka, the Princess of Space, daughter of the Emperor, having once captured Marus, continues to want him as her prince, by any means necessary, even thought Marus has refused her. Monica's attention to Marus, as well as her cadet assignment to him, makes her Vushka's special target.
  

Amidst these and other characters, Monica will find herself visiting many different worlds, facing situations that are frightening, hilarious, interesting, and sometimes all three. Some future adventures will include:

• Quella gives Monica a false tip on where she might find information on Earth and then tampers with Monica's spaceship, causing her to crash on a savage jungle world. Here she finds herself having be a female Tarzan, facing many dangers before finally being rescued.
  
• In a more lighthearted adventure, Monica begins to suspect that the Emperor's spies are operating out of an intergalactic shopping mall, but no one believes her. She continues her investigations, aided by Woody, eventually uncovering a plot by Vushka to control people's minds through shopping and fashion. Almost more through her mistakes than by planning, Monica folis this scheme and exposes the spies.
  
• When a mysterious group of raiders begins preying upon outposts of both the Federation and the Empire, Marus, Monica, and Woody are sent to investigate. Forced to battle a common enemy, Monica finds herself fighting side-by-side with Vushka. Who are the Black Raiders? And who is the mysterious woman leading them, who invites Monica and Vushka to join her? And how long will it take for Vushka to betray Monica?
  
• When Woody mysteriously disappears, Monica disregards orders and goes in search of her kidnapped pal. Tracing him to the Emperor's private zoo, Monica finds she's fallen into Varnex's trap. He again attempts to woo her, but after spurning him, Monica is thrown into a dungeon. Vushka, to make things worse, takes Monica's translator and puts a horrible monster in her cell. Monica tries to fight off this slimy apparition, but eventually it overwhelms her. But wait! What's this? It has a translator and is only trying to pass it to her. Now understanding by passing the translator back and forth, Monica finds that despite what he looks like, the alien creature is a kind person. Joining forces, Monica and the alien trick the guards, escape, free the other zoo prisoners, including Woody, blow up part of the Emperor's palace (again!), and flee, eventually returning all the creatures to their homes or to where they can get home. Monica returns to the base and is congratulated on her success, but, on the suggestion of Quella, is put to work mopping the floor because she disobeyed orders.
  

These and other tales will be, above all, a fun, grand adventure. Monica will continue her pursuit of Marus, pitting her romantically against Quella and Vushka, both of whom will continue to cause her trouble and put her in peril. This is all while helping the Federation in it's ongoing struggle for Freedom and hunting for clues to the location of her lost home, Earth. As time passes, Monica will continue to surprise herself as she faces strange alien menaces and finds the bravery, strength, and resourcefulness to battle and overcome seemingly hopeless odds.

For more information on Monica Moon, please email pepoycomics@comcast.net.

While the sample pages are designed for standard American comic book size, the series can be formatted for digest or European album.