We’re huge fans of Cleopatra in Space here at Roarbots HQ. Since the first book came out way back in 2014, and across the following four books, we’ve been enjoying the hell out of the ride. Sadly, the sixth – and final – book in the series is about to come out (from Scholastic/Graphix), and creator Mike Maihack will move on to other stories… and away from the queen of the Nile.

Tears.

Still, there’s never been a better time to become acquainted with Cleopatra, Akila, Antony, and all the rest. The first five books are phenomenally fun – and intensely rereadable – and an animated series from DreamWorks Animation just premiered on NBC’s Peacock streaming platform.

I envy all of you about to read the series for the first time.

We chatted with Maihack about the show, the new book (Queen of the Nile), and the long road his story and characters took from webcomic to 6-book epic.

(It’s also worth noting that ages ago, we sat with Mike for our Questions from a Kid series, where he was grilled by my then 5-year-old daughter. It’s still a classic.)

The Roarbots: Talk to us about the Cleopatra in Space show on Peacock. I thought I was paying attention, but that seemed to come out of the blue when it was first announced. How did that come about? How long had it been in the works?

Mike Maihack: It had been in the works for a while. My first meeting with DreamWorks was only a couple of months after the first book had been published. I initially declined the offer because I was really focused on planing out the book series and didn’t want anything to distract from that.

It was clear they were really fond of the material, though, and after a bit of back and forth, I finally agreed. That they were eager to turn the books into an animated series rather than a movie was kind of the deciding factor. I was already a fan of a lot of the TV stuff DreamWorks was putting out at the time, like Trollhunters and the various How to Train Your Dragon series, but also Cleopatra in Space is influenced heavily from the Saturday morning cartoons I watched when I was young. I felt Cleo would benefit most from that episodic storytelling.

Originally, the show was going to be on cable TV, but I think after Peacock was announced, Universal felt streaming was a better format for it. I agree it’s nice to be able to watch any episode whenever you want.

Roarbots: How involved were you with the show, if at all?

Maihack: I consulted at the beginning and left some feedback early into actual production. Since DreamWorks was working on the show while I was still working on the books, they needed to have an idea of what was coming up and what parts they should pay close attention to.

Still, I took an approach of, “If I were to do this all over again, what would I change? What would I keep?” That was kind of the mentality I had while I was working with them. Everyone at DreamWorks Animation is so talented and creative that the last thing I wanted to do was step in the way of that. I was very supportive of them very much doing their own thing. That’s how stories grow.

Roarbots: How does the story being told in the show sync with the story you’re telling in the books?

Maihack: It comes from the same starting place, and there will be certain threads from the books that weave their way into the cartoon series – even if they might not be in the same order. But it certainly goes off in its own direction. Partly, the books tend to get a little more dark halfway in, and there’s just stuff you can’t do in an animated series aimed at tweens.

Some might be little disappointed by that, but personally, I prefer that you can read the books and also watch the series and still be surprised by what happens next. All the characters’ personalities are intact or heightened and, in the end, that’s what’s most important.

Roarbots: Thoughts on the final show now that it’s out in the world?

Maihack: Oh, I love it. The art direction especially is everything I could’ve hoped for and more. Plus, they did Akila right. If they had gotten Akila wrong, I would have been pretty disappointed. But she’s perfect. I’m a huge fan.

Roarbots: Queen of the Nile comes out in August, and the books all came out at a pretty reliable clip of about one a year. Which begs the question: when do you sleep?

Maihack: Haha. At least a couple of nights a week hopefully! But yeah, writing, drawing, and coloring each of these books has been a rough road at times and I’ve had to stay pretty focused to get the work done. It’s been tougher and tougher to keep a quick pace as my kids (and me!) get older, but I think the fact that I enjoyed writing these characters and illustrating their story so much is what got me through it. It’s bittersweet to be finished, but I’m happy with where it all ends.

Roarbots: What are you most excited or anxious about fans to see in the new book?

Maihack: Being the final one, it answers quite a few mysteries that the series has been hinging on. I’m most anxious to hear the reactions to those. I know I’m not going to please everyone, but there’s still a few doors I left open just to keep the story continuing in the imagination. Or fan fiction.

Besides that, I put a lot into the artwork in Book 6, and I hope after readers race through the story, they take the time to go back and check out some of the fun details I sprinkled throughout.

Roarbots: Wait. That’s it? Book 6 is the end?

Maihack: This is it! Originally, I had planned on there being nine books: a trilogy of trilogies. But as I started planning out the final books, I realized they would be stronger if I combined and condensed a lot of the material. So here we are!

Roarbots: The first book, Target Practice, came out in 2014, but Cleo actually began life as a webcomic in 2009. The graphic novel scene positively exploded and grew SO MUCH in the last 10 years. What’s been the biggest change for or effect on you personally?

Maihack: There’s too much to read now! Haha. I used to be able to keep up with most of the titles, or at least the ones my closest friends were publishing. Now it’s impossible. One of the biggest changes is I used to read all these kids and middle-grade novels on my own. Now I read them with my kids or take turns reading them with my 8-year-old. It’s been wonderful.

My boys have no idea how fortunate they are to have all these great and different types of comics to read at their disposal – and not have to wait week to week to get a full story like I did.

Roarbots: Now that the sixth – and final! – book in the series is about to come out, what about the story you’re telling now would’ve surprised 2014 (or 2009) Mike?

Maihack: That’s a great question. I actually wrote down the ending for Book 6 before I started Book 1 and – for the most part – it stayed pretty much intact. Certainly, having a sixth Cleopatra in Space graphic novel would have surprised 2009 Mike. But storywise? I dunno. I think Antony growing to play such an important role in the ending was fun to see happen. I don’t think I could’ve anticipated what a treat he was to write.

Roarbots: Are you leaving space to tell different stories in the same universe now that Cleo’s story is over?

Maihack: I’m afraid I’m leaving the Nile Galaxy behind me for now. There’s always the chance I may revisit one day. There is a prequel I’d love to tell that would have been a huge spoiler if I included it in Cleo’s story. But for now, I’m going to do my best to expand the variety of genres available in middle grade comics, which is something I feel kids could really benefit from.

Roarbots: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing?

Maihack: Probably a rock star. Or, more likely, a songwriter for other rock stars so I didn’t have to be on stage.

Roarbots: What’s the one graphic novel that everyone should read?

Maihack: Does everyone answer Jeff Smith’s Bone to this question? Because I feel that’s the only acceptable answer.