This is a brilliant blending of two beloved middle-grade graphic novel series, 'Mighty Jack' and 'Zita the Spacegirl'.

Ben Hatke is one of the best authors of middle-grade graphic novels at the moment (and a fantastic illustrator). His books are action packed, and he manages to create fantastic and believable worlds for readers to explore and lose themselves in.

The first few pages of this book recap the action in each of the series, before diving into the new storyline. When giants threaten to invade Earth, Jack, Lilly, Maddy, Zita, Joseph, and the rest of the gang have to find a way to stop the invasion and save Earth. The groups of characters from the different series have to figure out how to work together and solve this new problem.

Ben Hatke's books are fun and engaging for a wide range of readers. I'll be getting a copy of this for my library very soon, and am looking forward to sharing it with students.

Loved this new graphic novel by Ben Hatke that combines two of his series into one book. My students are going to flip!!

Jack and Lily have been on many adventures together so when they befriend Zita the Spacegirl, they are ready for another go round. They don't realize that the dangers that are just outside of the door to their world and it is greater than anything they have faced before. An army of giants are ready to put an end to the human life as we know it. As the gate grows weaker can these friends find a way to save the world or will the humans become dust?

Jack, Mandy, Lilly, Zita, and company face a crisis. The giants of Inbetween are coming to Earth and they need to be stopped! So Mandy and the dragon open a way for the gang to get to Inbetween. There they split up - one team slowing down the assault on the door to Earth while the other team heads out to find the Elves and obtain help. Despite bad decisions, betrayal, and jealousy, the all manage to send the giants packing after a race through space and a gathering of allies. Another fun story that brings all of Ben Hatke's characters into one fun adventure!

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy this tale!

I had honestly forgotten much of the story of Mighty Jack before coming back to the series and I have never read Zita the Spacegirl, but Hatke makes it easy for anyone to jump right in to Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl. While I didn't appreciate the trope that the two girls in the group don't get along, I do like the subversion of the trope in that they're not fighting over Jack, but over trust. Overall, Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl is a fun read. Any fan of previous books will love this one as well.

Graphic novels are a great way to get reluctant readers reading. My favorite ones to recommend are the Zita the Spacegirl series and Might Jack. These appeal to boys and girls. Ben Hatke is one of the best when it comes to writing characters that kids love. When this crossover came out, my own daughter begged to buy it. She could not, would not put it down. I can't recommend this series enough. This ending is satisfying and it's great to see all of our favorite characters together again but I have to warn you - it will leave you still wanting more.

No joke, I've been eagerly awaiting this book for 2 years, from the moment I finished Mighty Jack and the Goblin King and realized that Hatke was bringing Zita into Jack's world. Because the only thing better than getting a resolution to Jack's story would be reading more about Zita. And this is more than just a continuation of the Zita we knew in the original trilogy. This is an older Zita, a Zita who still feels like an outsider on Earth but is starting to gain some distance from her adventures. Jack and his crew, on the other hand, are in the midst of their adventures and have literally, physically been changed. Goblin blood, magic seeds, psychic links. They are noticeably abnormal at odds with Jack's determination to return to the status quo. Zita feels different but appears like any other kid. These ideas and petty jealousies crash together with an intersection of fairy tales, Norse mythology, and sci-fi adventure. It's a grand, sweeping story with constant action and a fair dose of social complexity. Hatke invites the reader to consider the giants in life, both literal and metaphorical. Well worth the wait.

I loved the both the Zita series and the Jack series. Combining them has been great! The characters are interesting and engaging.

The latest Ben Hatke graphic novel brings together two of his best series: Zita the Spacegirl and Mighty Jack. It's a team-up he teased in 2017's Mighty Jack and the Goblin King, and I have been waiting patiently for two years to find out what was going to happen.


After Zita and her friends arrive from their space-hopping adventures, Jack and his family have been housing and feeding the group. Lily, Jack's neighbor, who helped him fight the giants and rescue Maddy, his sister, is on edge, though. Is she jealous of Zita, or is there something more to it? Meanwhile, the giants are growing stronger and getting ready to invade above-ground: the gate between worlds is growing weaker, and they're ready to use it to their advantage. Zita, Jack, Lily, and Maddy have to get ready to battle once more.


I've been a fan of Ben Hatke since 2012, when I first read Zita the Spacegirl. I love Hatke's art, I love his storytelling and world-building, and I love sharing his books with the kids at my libraries. Hatke is a great storyteller, giving each of his characters a rich backstory and exciting quest. He also weaves the fantastic with the everyday, giving us robots, dragons, giants, goblins alongside a terrified mother, the complexity of navigating tween friendships, and the frustration of being "ordinary".

Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl is a wonderful chapter in the Zita/Jack saga. Is it the end? Well... you just have to pick it up and read it for yourself. Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl has a starred review from Kirkus.

At a Glance
Category/Genre(s):
Middle grade sci-fi/fantasy graphic novel

Age Range:
8-12

Strengths:
Amazingly fun adventure story
Loved the art
Fast paced
Rich, well developed characters

Full Review
I first got into this series by reading Mighty Jack. And I absolutely loved it. I thought the fracturing of Jack and the beanstalk was creative and well done. I actually avoided reading the Zita the Spacegirl books for a long time because I didn’t think it would be possible for Ben Hatke to catch lightning in a bottle twice.

Then they announced that they were doing a crossover series, so I thought I’d better give Zita a go. I cautiously picked up a copy. And I absolutely loved it as well. I loved how Mighty Jack definitely felt fantasy while Zita landed solidly in sci-fi. I was excited, but nervous, to see how Hatke would mash the two together.

Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl hits all the right beats and does not feel just thrown together. It is a fun, fast paced adventure without feeling rushed or hurried. I am not only a fan of Hatke’s storytelling, but also his artwork. He finds the perfect balance between moving the story forward with text but also relying heavily on the illustrations to give us a much richer experience.

I also feel like the characters are rich and well rounded. They do not feel one dimensional. Their flaws and insecurities bring them to life and help you root for them even more.

Hatke does a great job to reminding the reader what happens in the previous books, but I would definitely recommend reading the other books in the series before picking this one up. I think that this book will be devoured by any avid reader.

Final Verdict
If you are looking for a fun, fast paced sci-fi/fantasy mashup, definitely give this series a go.

“It seems a new age of Heroes has dawned in the land of Humans.”

Together at last ... Jack, Lilly and Zita join forces to stop the Giants from entering earth and destroying it. Along the way, there is treachery and jealousy, but also friendship and courage. And there is help from an unexpected ally. All this together makes for an exciting adventure for Zita and Jack fans.

Just. Wow.

I have no criticism.

I just love this ending to a couple of great graphic novel series. I especially liked Hatke's little love note about the development of Jack's story and the tiny room with the window and the garden.

Something about his work just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I will definitely continue following his work.

This book was SO good. I liked connection between Jack and Zita because at first they did not like each other but then once they started to work together as a team more and won the battle.

Ben Hatke is a very popular author with both myself and the students at my school. When I found out that there would be a book with both Zita and Jack, we were all super excited. Both series are very popular in my library. I loved this pairing and I know it will be a big hit with the students as well. Reluctant readers are sucked into their stories. Can't wait to share with the students!!

Jack and Zita must stop the trolls from invading their world but they get tricked by a giant and looked in a treasure vault. Will they find a way out in time to save the world? Read and find out in this space adventure graphic novel.
#ARC NETGALLEY

I loved reading about Zita and her adventures. I jumped right into Jack and his adventures. It was so cool to see the two world collide and come together. This is fast-paced action with heart. You see battles and friendship. I am hoping we'll see more adventures featuring this whole crew. I would suggest read all the Zita books and the Jack books before reading this, otherwise it won't make much sense.

This was a fitting wrap up to the Jack and Zita stories but still leaves room open for other possible adventures further down the line. Zita is one of my favorite girl characters and such a great role model. She's smart, adaptable, kind, funny, resourceful and loyal. I always recommend these books to any kids that come in the library, but to young girls especially. And I really love Hatke's artwork; it's so expressive and fun. Zita's team up with Jack is a long time coming and it was nice to see so many characters from the past show up in this crossover. Hatke also does an admirable job of giving all the supporting characters their own voice and unique personalities. I have my fingers crossed that there will be more adventures to come!

I received an electronic ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley.
Graphic Novel
Interesting combination of these two Hatke series. The characters connect and show the gamut of emotions that readers will relate with. They must join forces to defeat the enemies from both series and save this planet as well as other areas of space.
Though the plot takes an expected path, the illustrations and dialogue pull readers in and make them care about the story. Crossover connections make readers think and remember past stories to fully comprehend the plot of this book. The story wraps up and resolves future paths for its characters.
However, an interesting ending alludes to future adventures to come.

Sigh, Ben Hatke is a genius. The way he draws and crafts a story is magnificent. The coloring is fantastic. This story intertwines two separate series he's written, Zita the Spacegirl and Mighty Jack. I loved seeing all our favorite and familiar characters working together (plus cameos from minor characters in previous books). The end is lovely. It wraps up the series, buuuutttt, maybe, just maybe there will be more coming??? We'll see. Definitely going to buy this one for the classroom.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

A great continuation/melding of two stories. Full of adventure and hard choices, this book does not disappoint. The artwork continues to be whimsical and detailed.