Akiko

Mark Crilley’s Akiko (1997–2004, Sirius Entertainment) follows a young girl transported to the whimsical, perilous planet Smoo, where she leads a band of quirky adventurers on a quest to rescue a kidnapped prince. Crilley wrote and drew all seven issues, crafting a charming, all-ages sci-fi fantasy with a gentle, hand-drawn style that stands apart from the era’s darker mainstream comics. The series is a fondly remembered indie gem, notable for its heartfelt storytelling and for introducing many readers to Crilley’s distinctive voice before his later fame as an online art teacher.