BOOK REVIEW: THE REVENGE OF THE TOXIC SPACE POTATO by FIRST DOG ON THE MOON

BOOK REVIEW: THE REVENGE OF THE TOXIC SPACE POTATO by FIRST DOG ON THE MOON
Allen & Unwin Australia, December 2024
Paperback, rrp $19.99
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
80%

First Dog On The Moon is arguably Australia’s most insightful cartoonist, equally hilarious and political – whilst revelling in a healthy level of absolute absurdity.

His latest book sees The Indefatigable Enviroteens – Letitia, Binky and Worried Norman – get space snorkelled and teleported to Mars, where the evil Baron Kartuffelpoffen plans to turn the red planet into a luxury paradise using all Earth’s water, which he is stealing.

Seeing First Dog’s wacky sense of humour in long form is a very different experience to seeing it in the context of a one page cartoon, and at times here the political message gets overshadowed a little by all the zaniness.

It’s undeniably fun, though, with a wobbegong named Stuart, a sourdough starter named Beverley, all manner of trippy devices, a superhero whose powers are only activated by eating croissants, and much, much more.

Dive in – and while you’re there ensure that you subscribe to their cartoons on The Guardian Australia.

Category: Book Reviews