Were there any Little Robot moments that you really, really wish had made it into this story?

Gradually the little trashcan shaped robot started suggesting that there was a larger story to tell. I made 30 Little Robot comics in all, and through those comics the robot’s personality developed. It was a very simple gag, that first comic but before long, and almost without thinking, I found myself drawing another Little Robot comic. Where did this little robot character come from?Ībout four years ago I drew a short, silent, five panel comic about a little robot. Robots, in stories, work really well as being “us.” The robot in this story is activated for the first time and is very much like a child. I think robots are, in some stories, almost an anti-alien. and Lilo & Stitch vibes, and yet the lost creature here is a robot. After she fixes him up, the two explore cats, flowers and frogs-until the factory where the robot belongs sends a bigger, scarier robot to retrieve him.Ĭonsidering the popularity of your Zita the Spacegirl series, it’s no surprise that this new story has some major E.T. A little girl, armed with a tool belt, gumption and lots of independence, discovers a lost blue robot. 'Jack and Zita make a stunning team in this high-stakes adventure-a must for fans of both series.Ben Hatke, author of the popular Zita the Spacegirl series, brings readers a junkyard tale of friendship with his new book, Little Robot. 'Readers can hope this is the beginning of many adventures with this crew, but if it turns out to be the end of both series, well, it’s an utterly satisfying one.' - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 'Hatke offers up a hit parade of characters both human and otherwise, with plenty of fearsome creatures in his classic style.' - Booklist 'Retaining the humor, daring exploits, and dynamic cartooning of Hatke’s previous books, the crossover is enjoyable and satisfying, if at times a tad predictable, and could serve as either a solid epilogue to both series or as the start of a new chapter in a larger shared universe.' - Publishers Weekly 'Hatke's latest adventure is a wonderful and exciting page-turner, seamlessly blending dragons, giants, robots, and portals to other worlds, creating instant appeal for almost any young fan of graphic novels, fantasy, fairy tales, or science fiction.Perfection.' - Kirkus, starred review

Books by ben hatke