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Now THAT is how you kick off a series.

Jeff Parker, Evan Shaner and Steve Rude deliver a knockout punch with issue one of Future Quest, DC Comics’ new series that unites several iconic Hanna-Barbera characters in one place.

Parker and Shaner open issue one with the events that lead to the birth of Space Ghost. The events that brought about the legendary hero’s debut play a key role going forward in the series. From there, Jonny Quest and company take centre stage.

Jonny, his adoptive brother Hadji, bodyguard Race Bannon and the adorable pup Bandit all make an appearance, with the boys flying over the Florida Everglades on jet packs. Meanwhile, three miles away, Ray Randall (the alter ego for the heroic Birdman) arrives on the scene for a meeting with Jonny’s dad, Dr. Benton Quest. Dr. Quest is tracking something in space, something that’s also on the radar of his arch-nemesis, Dr. Zin.

The boys find themselves under attack from Zim’s forces, and end up being rescued by a boy named Ty. The trio, and Ty’s cat Snag, are startled by an appearance on the last page that was both shocking and amazing at the same time.

When the series was first announced, my initial question was how Parker was going to meld such a disparate group of characters, characters who reside across multiple timelines, into one comprehensive story?

It turns out my fears were unfounded. In the first issue alone, Parker weaves in Space Ghost, Jonny Quest and company, Birdman and the sinister Dr. Zim. I can’t wait to see how he mixes in the likes of The Herculoids, The Galaxy Trio, The Impossibles and others.

Growing up in the 1970s and watching all these characters on Saturday mornings, I knew this was a series I’d want to take a look at. Parker, Shaner and Rude, along with colorist Jordie Bellaire, did an incredible job creating a book that’s perfect for readers like me who want to indulge in a bit of nostalgia and for new readers alike.

I give Future Quest #1 9 out of 10 and a must read rating.

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