What happens when you send the Quest family to Area 51, toss in a mysterious alien spacecraft, and drop Space Ghost into the mix? According to writer Joe Casey, you get a story that’s part pulp, part homage, and entirely cosmic.
Hitting shelves on May 7, Space Quest #1 launches a four-part crossover that brings together two of Hanna-Barbera’s most iconic action franchises — Jonny Quest and Space Ghost — for the very first time in comics. Casey told us recently about re-teaming with Sebastian Piriz after their stint on Johnny Quest last summer and honoring these characters’ cartoon origins. Get ready for a kooky, family-made adventure, indeed.
A Story Meant to Be Told
Originally conceived as the second arc of Casey’s Jonny Quest revival, Space Quest grew into its own limited series without changing the story’s bones.
“This was always the story we were going to tell, whether it ended up being told in Jonny Quest #6–9 or, as it happens, in Space Quest #1–4,” Casey said.
Rather than treat the crossover like a marketing stunt, Casey approached it as a natural next chapter—a tale of pure, old-school heroics. And that purity runs extra deep
“The coolest thing about all these characters is their primal nature, their simplicity of concept,” Casey said. “They’re very pure in conception and even in execution… they’re all heroes, plain and simple.”
While Casey wasn’t looking to contrast the characters themselves, he leaned heavily into the contrast of settings — melding Space Ghost’s high-concept cosmic adventures with the grounded, globe-trotting thrills of Jonny and his crew.
Honoring Wildey and Toth
One of the series’ core creative aims is to honor the legacy of original creators, Doug Wildey (Jonny Quest) and Alex Toth (Space Ghost), whose distinctive visual styles defined a generation of animation.
“They were both comic artists applying their talents to animation without abandoning those specific comic book aesthetics,” Casey said. “Their cartoons really looked like moving comics. So, we’re trying to return the favor, making comics that tries to honor their cartoon origins.”
Sebastian Piriz Hits the Bullseye
That same spirit is carried forward by Piriz, whom Casey holds in the highest regard.
“Sebastian is, in a word, amazing,” he said. From their first page together, Piriz found the perfect balance of evoking Wildey and Toth without resorting to mere imitation.
When it came time to draw Space Ghost, “Sebastian nailed it without breaking a sweat,” Casey said, adding, “Simplicity is key with Space Ghost, although his design is still deceptively challenging.”
Playing It Straight for Maximum Impact
As for tone, Space Quest is all in.
“By playing them completely straight. By accepting the rules of their concepts and presenting them as though they’re brand spanking new. That’s where the magic is,” Casey said.
Rather than deconstruct or reinvent, the story embraces the sincerity of its characters, treating them with the same reverence as their original incarnations while adding modern storytelling dynamics.
That modern approach draws heavily from Casey’s deep comic roots. Though he’s worked in animation, he’s quick to point out, “Comics are my first love and my lifelong field of study, so if anything, it’s my comic book background that’s influenced any animation work I’ve done.”
Sci-Fi Meets Adventure
Of course, weaving together sci-fi and action-adventure isn’t always easy, but for Casey, the fusion felt instinctive.
“Sci-fi and adventure go together like peanut butter and jelly… it was really second nature,” Casey said.
The only real challenge? Living up to the story’s scope.
“I know it’s being marketed as some sort of ‘event’, but to me it’s really just a cool story I wanted to tell,” Casey said. “Hopefully, all event books are that…but, hell, we never know, do we?”
An event might mean more heroes — who would Casey bring in if given the chance?
“That would have to be… Blue Falcon and Dynomutt, of course,” Casey said. “They’re like the middle ground between Jonny Quest and Space Ghost, don’t you think…?”
Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia, the visuals, or the promise of an old-school crossover done right, Space Quest promises to deliver a story that’s as timeless as its icons. Buckle up — Jonny Quest and Space Ghost are taking this one all the way to the stars.
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