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Space Boy #12
Stephen McCranie's Space Boy Volume 12
Unravel the conspiracy at the heart of the FCP in the latest volume of Stephen McCranie's Space Boy!
In the aftermath of the Homecoming dance, the students of South Pine are left reeling from the disappearance of one of their friends. As Zeph, Cassie, and David struggle to make sense of the tragedy, Amy begins to adjust to her new life in the FCP, finding unexpected allies as she tries to uncover more about the shadowy organization, and what its goals are for Oliver and herself.
In the aftermath of the Homecoming dance, the students of South Pine are left reeling from the disappearance of one of their friends. As Zeph, Cassie, and David struggle to make sense of the tragedy, Amy begins to adjust to her new life in the FCP, finding unexpected allies as she tries to uncover more about the shadowy organization, and what its goals are for Oliver and herself.
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2022
3 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Stephen McCranie
46 books345 followersStephen 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 24, 2022
I was so happy that this entire volume featured Amy! After two volumes without her, I was beginning to get frustrated.
September 13, 2023
After an extended flashback, the story returns to the current cast and the fallout of the explosive homecoming dance.
I liked this volume in the same way I find all the books in this series to be enjoyable YA sci-fi fluff. But I'm still going to whine about it.
The way Stephen McCrainie deals with character names is so stupid it throws me out of the story. Sure, people don't use their first and last names in casual conversation, but this time he repeatedly has newscasters and their televised graphics referring to characters involved in a major breaking news story as "Amy" and "Parents of Amy" and a public figure as "Chief Delaney." It reminds me of an earlier volume where a sports announcer kept referring to the quarterback as "David" during a game, when they just don't do that. I don't know what McCrainie has against last names, but why take the avoidance of them to such a ridiculous degree, especially when many characters in the book have first and last names?
The cover is highly misleading, being derived from a couple pages where Qiana Jacobs is playing a virtual reality video game. There are no space tiger/scorpions hybrids in this series, though an alien presence is getting more and more screen time.
The Foot Code: Amy and the alien are the only characters on pointe this time, and suspiciously their storylines are now intertwining. However, Amy's feet fall flat once she changes out of her homecoming dress and into a uniform provided to her. Are the pointed feet being phased out? Hmm. Must continue research.
I liked this volume in the same way I find all the books in this series to be enjoyable YA sci-fi fluff. But I'm still going to whine about it.
The way Stephen McCrainie deals with character names is so stupid it throws me out of the story. Sure, people don't use their first and last names in casual conversation, but this time he repeatedly has newscasters and their televised graphics referring to characters involved in a major breaking news story as "Amy" and "Parents of Amy" and a public figure as "Chief Delaney." It reminds me of an earlier volume where a sports announcer kept referring to the quarterback as "David" during a game, when they just don't do that. I don't know what McCrainie has against last names, but why take the avoidance of them to such a ridiculous degree, especially when many characters in the book have first and last names?
The cover is highly misleading, being derived from a couple pages where Qiana Jacobs is playing a virtual reality video game. There are no space tiger/scorpions hybrids in this series, though an alien presence is getting more and more screen time.
The Foot Code: Amy and the alien are the only characters on pointe this time, and suspiciously their storylines are now intertwining. However, Amy's feet fall flat once she changes out of her homecoming dress and into a uniform provided to her. Are the pointed feet being phased out? Hmm. Must continue research.
May 10, 2022
4.5 stars
March 18, 2022
It's only been two or three volumes since we left the main story of Space Boy in order to get Oliver's back story but it feels like years. I was worried that I would be so disconnected from Amy's story that I would no longer find it as exciting. And while I did find it as enthralling as the first eight or nine volumes, and I instantly reconnected with Amy as a character, I had forgotten where we were in the story. I have a vague memory of Homecoming but that's it. Not only did I forget where the plot was, I couldn't place any of the characters except Amy. I really wish the Oliver flashback had been done as back matter in the volumes instead of the cute, but not plot-important, Li'l Amy strips. It would have made this series a much smoother read.
On exclusively its own merits, this was a really strong story about a teen with a lot of trauma projecting strength in order to take control of a sureal situation. McCranie does a wonderful job of using dialogue to tell a story without making much of it feel expository. He adds just the right touch of Amy talking to herself to guide the reader, and there section where Amy is unconscious and learning more about herself are absolutely gorgeous, and a cool style departure from the rest of the book.
I'm glad this book is back to being one of the best all-age graphic novels on the shelf right now.
On exclusively its own merits, this was a really strong story about a teen with a lot of trauma projecting strength in order to take control of a sureal situation. McCranie does a wonderful job of using dialogue to tell a story without making much of it feel expository. He adds just the right touch of Amy talking to herself to guide the reader, and there section where Amy is unconscious and learning more about herself are absolutely gorgeous, and a cool style departure from the rest of the book.
I'm glad this book is back to being one of the best all-age graphic novels on the shelf right now.
August 30, 2022
After a long divergence to Oliver's backstory, we return to the day after homecoming, with Amy captured by the FCP. Fortunately, this volume starts out with news anchors recapping the homecoming catastrophe, so it's easy to get caught up. The director of the FCP convinces Amy to stick around purely to keep Oliver company as he nears the mysterious artifact in space.
It's another fine Space Boy volume, but one that's clearly moving the pieces into place on Earth after we spent a lot of time with Oliver. We do get a glimpse of the mysterious Wanderer, though, who meets with Amy in her mind. What the heck is his deal?
It's another fine Space Boy volume, but one that's clearly moving the pieces into place on Earth after we spent a lot of time with Oliver. We do get a glimpse of the mysterious Wanderer, though, who meets with Amy in her mind. What the heck is his deal?
Read
December 30, 2021I’m marking this as read even though it isn’t technically out in this printed format yet because I have already read through the 16 episodes of the webcomic that will be included in this volume. Love this series so much and looking forward to being able to look at it again when it comes out in print!
April 1, 2023
4.5 stars
March 13, 2025
Finally getting back to the present. Interesting character developments. Good illustrations and decent pacing.
April 26, 2022
I love the Li’l Amy vignettes in the back of the books, and the one in this one was especially cute!
Read
March 19, 2025Are you FRIKKEN KIDDING ME I accidentally hit away and lost my ENTIRE REVIEW I was ALMOST DONE and I need to GO TO BED IT’S MIDNIGHT
So this is gonna be even more disjointed than it already was
Why was that the cover it was like. 2 seconds.
So they froze Qiana’s dad that’s. Hardcore. Did they tell her
And what’s their plan for when they wake em up like. Y’all gonna get sUEDDD
Might sound weird but I’m glad Cassie’s in the hospital. Like poor thing but I just mean that I’m glad this story has actual consequences, yanno? And also I’m scared, this story has actual consequences
Amy’s tiny pigtails
Irritated that the news reporters were like “1 student injured 1 student kidnapped” like babe you forgot there’s also “1 student missing”
Justice for Tammie
Please tell Amy’s parents she’s okay ?!?!?!
What exactly did Amy just agree to?? Is the arrangement “I will stay here for the next
Man, did the FCP screw up. They screwed up ROYALLY. They hurt a kid, kidnapped two more, lost millions of dollars in tech, terrorized a town, and all around made an absolute MESS of things.
They went after Amy because she was spying, but she was only spying because Oliver was moving, and Oliver was only moving because they went after Amy!!! All they had to do was NOTHING and just LEAVE EVERYONE ALONE and just let this poor boy have a SINGLE FRIEND in PEACE!!! Oh my word they bungled that BADLY
Poor Qiana suddenly getting a roommate
We get to see the real Oliver!! I mean we saw him at 10 but in modern times!! He’s so sweet such a cutie. Is that weird to say idk
“You’re so much thinner than your robot” thanks for tellin me that Ames i literally could not tell otherwise
“You get tired of rations after a while” man and i thought the caf food was bad
Ok so what the heck is their plan here. What exactly is this scrawny 16yo supposed to DO when he gets there. They were planning on having a highly specialized team of THOUSANDS and all they got is one skinny teenage artist. What is your plan here???? He cannot do what would have been done. He can poke around and take pictures, that’s about it. And how on earth is supposed to get any of his discoveries back to earth ??? Anything physical is literally light-years away. If my guess about Qiana’s dad’s “easy no money” plan to get Oliver back is correct, and it’s just “stick the kid in cyro and then stick the ship on autopilot back here,” how is he supposed to do that NOW? On his teeny tiny baby ship?? What is the plan, exactly, for Oliver here??? All he’s got are rations. Is he going back to the Arno after he pokes around the Artifact? And what’s he supposed to eat once he gets there? IS the plan just “go to the Artifact, grab some junk, go back, go in cyro, come home”? Dude if so mans spending TWELVE YEARS in that TINY SPACESHIP babe I would lose my MIND
he comes back to the Arno at 22… babe that’s me… I would’ve stepped in during fifth grade and just be getting back now… i’m a senior in college…
well at least he’s not a girl. can you imagine getting your period alone in space 💀
oh now i’m thinking about periods in space they must be gnarly ahh
anyway
Poor Amy. It’s such a role reversal to see Oliver with emotions and Amy sullen and withdrawn
I’m worried about her
This frikken one-eyed menace understands nothing fool
New name proposition: Uglydumbbutt
Um idk how to wrap this up
Oh shoot it’s 12:18 now. Rats goodnight
I hope I said everything I wanted to say. I want blueberry pancakes
So this is gonna be even more disjointed than it already was
Why was that the cover it was like. 2 seconds.
So they froze Qiana’s dad that’s. Hardcore. Did they tell her
And what’s their plan for when they wake em up like. Y’all gonna get sUEDDD
Might sound weird but I’m glad Cassie’s in the hospital. Like poor thing but I just mean that I’m glad this story has actual consequences, yanno? And also I’m scared, this story has actual consequences
Amy’s tiny pigtails
Irritated that the news reporters were like “1 student injured 1 student kidnapped” like babe you forgot there’s also “1 student missing”
Justice for Tammie
Please tell Amy’s parents she’s okay ?!?!?!
What exactly did Amy just agree to?? Is the arrangement “I will stay here for the next
Man, did the FCP screw up. They screwed up ROYALLY. They hurt a kid, kidnapped two more, lost millions of dollars in tech, terrorized a town, and all around made an absolute MESS of things.
They went after Amy because she was spying, but she was only spying because Oliver was moving, and Oliver was only moving because they went after Amy!!! All they had to do was NOTHING and just LEAVE EVERYONE ALONE and just let this poor boy have a SINGLE FRIEND in PEACE!!! Oh my word they bungled that BADLY
Poor Qiana suddenly getting a roommate
We get to see the real Oliver!! I mean we saw him at 10 but in modern times!! He’s so sweet such a cutie. Is that weird to say idk
“You’re so much thinner than your robot” thanks for tellin me that Ames i literally could not tell otherwise
“You get tired of rations after a while” man and i thought the caf food was bad
Ok so what the heck is their plan here. What exactly is this scrawny 16yo supposed to DO when he gets there. They were planning on having a highly specialized team of THOUSANDS and all they got is one skinny teenage artist. What is your plan here???? He cannot do what would have been done. He can poke around and take pictures, that’s about it. And how on earth is supposed to get any of his discoveries back to earth ??? Anything physical is literally light-years away. If my guess about Qiana’s dad’s “easy no money” plan to get Oliver back is correct, and it’s just “stick the kid in cyro and then stick the ship on autopilot back here,” how is he supposed to do that NOW? On his teeny tiny baby ship?? What is the plan, exactly, for Oliver here??? All he’s got are rations. Is he going back to the Arno after he pokes around the Artifact? And what’s he supposed to eat once he gets there? IS the plan just “go to the Artifact, grab some junk, go back, go in cyro, come home”? Dude if so mans spending TWELVE YEARS in that TINY SPACESHIP babe I would lose my MIND
he comes back to the Arno at 22… babe that’s me… I would’ve stepped in during fifth grade and just be getting back now… i’m a senior in college…
well at least he’s not a girl. can you imagine getting your period alone in space 💀
oh now i’m thinking about periods in space they must be gnarly ahh
anyway
Poor Amy. It’s such a role reversal to see Oliver with emotions and Amy sullen and withdrawn
I’m worried about her
This frikken one-eyed menace understands nothing fool
New name proposition: Uglydumbbutt
Um idk how to wrap this up
Oh shoot it’s 12:18 now. Rats goodnight
I hope I said everything I wanted to say. I want blueberry pancakes
August 26, 2025
Slight detour for some background:
Been reading McCranie since the very first Mal & Chad came out and love his writing.
Currently reading through the Space Boy volumes and absolutely loving the series. There are currently 21 volumes in this story. I went to buy this volume (vol 12) only to find it's out of print and it's the only volume out of print out of the 21. I talked to the author (hoping he had a copy laying around the house that he'd sell me lol) and I guess it was a publisher decision which I totally don't understand. Fast forward ~ after spending weeks scouring the internet I found a copy from a small European bookstore and was able to pay $40 for this book (ouch).
A really good volume in the continuing story of Space Boy and all the supporting characters. The story changes a lot in this volume (after getting a ton of backstory in the last couple volumes) and we've got a brand new book, plot, character development (If you've read Dresden, think what Changes did). So it's the same great storytelling, pacing and characters. I still don't love the art but it works fine and I'm really looking forward to the next volume (at a more reasonable $10).
Been reading McCranie since the very first Mal & Chad came out and love his writing.
Currently reading through the Space Boy volumes and absolutely loving the series. There are currently 21 volumes in this story. I went to buy this volume (vol 12) only to find it's out of print and it's the only volume out of print out of the 21. I talked to the author (hoping he had a copy laying around the house that he'd sell me lol) and I guess it was a publisher decision which I totally don't understand. Fast forward ~ after spending weeks scouring the internet I found a copy from a small European bookstore and was able to pay $40 for this book (ouch).
A really good volume in the continuing story of Space Boy and all the supporting characters. The story changes a lot in this volume (after getting a ton of backstory in the last couple volumes) and we've got a brand new book, plot, character development (If you've read Dresden, think what Changes did). So it's the same great storytelling, pacing and characters. I still don't love the art but it works fine and I'm really looking forward to the next volume (at a more reasonable $10).
March 12, 2022
This continues the story of Amy and Oliver, where Amy is now forced to work with the FCP, because she wants to help Oliver, and for no other reason.
This series is an on-going web comic, being collected in volumes, as the story continue. This started out being about Amy trying to adjust to life on earth, after living on a mining colony somewhere out in space.
And Oliver, as the series progresses, we find has been hurtling through space, but was also allowed to have a human form on earth, so he can at least be among others.
And the cover, which has neither Oliver nor Amy on it, is a single instance in a simulation game that another character of the story is playing.
Helps if you get in from the beginning, as by now, there is just too much going on.
But if you have been following this, be prepared for anther wild ride.
This series is an on-going web comic, being collected in volumes, as the story continue. This started out being about Amy trying to adjust to life on earth, after living on a mining colony somewhere out in space.
And Oliver, as the series progresses, we find has been hurtling through space, but was also allowed to have a human form on earth, so he can at least be among others.
And the cover, which has neither Oliver nor Amy on it, is a single instance in a simulation game that another character of the story is playing.
Helps if you get in from the beginning, as by now, there is just too much going on.
But if you have been following this, be prepared for anther wild ride.
February 27, 2024
In volume 12, we're back to Amy's story. I love how the pieces we've learned in various books are all starting to come together. As I finish up this volume, I'm wondering how long this series be. And how is author Stephen McCranie plotting this massive story?! It's so impressive! The amount of (beautiful) artwork is astounding. One thing that bothers me about this volume, though, is I must be forgetting some details from previous books that would help clear this up for me. Despite this little flaw, I'm committed to the series!
October 5, 2024
¡Por fin! Tercera temporada de Space boy en los cómics, y esto se está poniendo buenísimo. Admito que, de todo lo que he leído hasta el momento sobre la historia, esta es una de las partes que más me han gustado. Desde el verdadero encuentro entre Oliver y Amy, hasta la naciente amistad entre la chica y Quiana.
Esta parte de la trama tiene muchas revelaciones y uno que otro secreto que, si le soy sincera, me dejaron con la boca abierta cuando llegue a esos puntos, así que estoy lista para volver a tocar esas partes de la historia.
¡Si se puede, Amy! Eres fuerte y tienes todo lo necesario para ayudar a Oliver a completar su misión, y para salir adelante y salvarte. Es más, puede que hasta tengas lo necesario para ayudar a tus nuevos amigos, así que vamos a ver como te desenvuelves en todo este asunto.
Solo ten cuidado. La FCP esconde más de lo que aparenta a simple vista.
Esta parte de la trama tiene muchas revelaciones y uno que otro secreto que, si le soy sincera, me dejaron con la boca abierta cuando llegue a esos puntos, así que estoy lista para volver a tocar esas partes de la historia.
¡Si se puede, Amy! Eres fuerte y tienes todo lo necesario para ayudar a Oliver a completar su misión, y para salir adelante y salvarte. Es más, puede que hasta tengas lo necesario para ayudar a tus nuevos amigos, así que vamos a ver como te desenvuelves en todo este asunto.
Solo ten cuidado. La FCP esconde más de lo que aparenta a simple vista.
July 30, 2022
Readers finish the flashback of what happened to Oliver and then return to Kokomo where the investigation into Amy's disappearance and the events leading up to it is leaving the community with lots of questions and heartache. And then we get to catch up with Amy herself and just where she's been taken and why.
Ooo, things are starting to come together more. And we finally get to see the real present Oliver! You just gotta love how selfless and caring and brave Amy is. Can't wait to find out what happens next!
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Only psychological attacks (the cover is from a video game someone is playing).
Ooo, things are starting to come together more. And we finally get to see the real present Oliver! You just gotta love how selfless and caring and brave Amy is. Can't wait to find out what happens next!
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Only psychological attacks (the cover is from a video game someone is playing).
May 15, 2022
This is going to stand in for volmes 7-12, the first five a which were a reread. Only 12 was new and I guess that's what the rating is based on.
The story arc of Space Boy worked better for me the second time through. The firs time the broadening of the story's focus felt abrupt - not so much this time
Reading volume 12 was a bit of a let down. It's one of those in between volumes, settling previous stories while preparing for what's next. It felt anticlimactic after rereading the rest of the series, but I'm curious how it will end up falling as the story gets longer.
The story arc of Space Boy worked better for me the second time through. The firs time the broadening of the story's focus felt abrupt - not so much this time
Reading volume 12 was a bit of a let down. It's one of those in between volumes, settling previous stories while preparing for what's next. It felt anticlimactic after rereading the rest of the series, but I'm curious how it will end up falling as the story gets longer.
April 28, 2022
“Peace is not detachment […] when you accept a hard thing, you don’t have to be okay with it. You’re allowed to feel sad.”So good! The tension and emotion keeps getting layered like whipped cream. I’m interested in seeing where things go from here. Right now, Amy’s hand sis being forced to join the same people that tried to kill her! I'm also still trying to wrap my head around Wanderer.
For reference: Book ends at #190 of the Webtoon
November 13, 2022
We got the origins of "Space Boy" in the last two volumes. Now, we're pretty much back to Amy and how her story connects to Oliver.
Amy is now being held hostage at the FCP. To keep herself and Tammie safe, she has to work with the FCP to get Oliver (keep him motivated) to the artifact in 47 days. Eek!
Amy is now being held hostage at the FCP. To keep herself and Tammie safe, she has to work with the FCP to get Oliver (keep him motivated) to the artifact in 47 days. Eek!
January 14, 2023
In this volume all the dangling elements have really started to come together. All the random characters are making sense and things are moving along - not necessarily good news for Amy but good news for the reader. I’m still not entirely sure what’s happening and I hope that the larger use of Qianna continues as her story seems like it could get interesting.
April 14, 2025
This volume was interesting. It was good to get some of the information about what happened with Oliver finding out he was alone. It was also good to get the information about what happened after homecoming for Amy. I don't trust Langley at all, and the Wanderer makes me nervous. I am anxious to see what happens next in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2025
The one eyed man learns valuable lessons from Amy as he visits her in prison. Amy meets Langley who knows she has all the info about Oliver now. Amy has a choice to make concerning Oliver and her friend Tammie. All she wants to do is help Oliver and Langely sees that as a big help to him. Even though she can sense his manipulation Amy does what she feels is the only route.
May 11, 2022
This book of all of them is the first one that's felt like filler (maybe becuase I read the other 11 back to back to back in one day), but I'm excited for volume 13 and to see where Amy and Oliver's stories go!
June 29, 2022
More plot twist! We’re back to Amy’s story and we get more time with a couple of minor characters too. Excellent.
I was really entertained by the cover drawing. He did work it in as a minor point, and I appreciated when it showed up.
I was really entertained by the cover drawing. He did work it in as a minor point, and I appreciated when it showed up.
September 3, 2022
The bigger picture is coming together now since we’re caught up on Oliver’s past and are seeing how it has affected present day. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when Oliver completes his mission and what The Wanderer has in store for them.
January 14, 2025
My, that was a wild ride
As always, McCranie is a genius at writing character. Oh my. I don’t have much to say because I’m so invested.
Wow.
8/10 there were so many sweet moments in this and I am having the time of my life
As always, McCranie is a genius at writing character. Oh my. I don’t have much to say because I’m so invested.
Wow.
8/10 there were so many sweet moments in this and I am having the time of my life
January 25, 2022
Amy is forced to join the FCP to help Oliver complete his mission. She negotiates for Tammie's freedom and becomes roommates with a young FCP agent. #Edelweiss
April 3, 2022
Amazing art and storytelling continue! Happy to be back to Amy, limited my reading to make it last more than a day and looking forward to the next book.
April 9, 2022
I have so many questions, but the most important one is "How am I going to make it until volume 13's release I'm AuGusT?!"
May 12, 2022
This is getting really good. I'm loving the themes. 💛
May 25, 2022
Such a great series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews