Die Astromäuse

In 1986, German publisher Egmont Ehapa launched Die Astromäuse, a short-lived four-issue comic series that sent a crew of intrepid, space-faring mice on lighthearted adventures among the stars. While the series ran for only a handful of issues, its playful blend of science fiction and anthropomorphic charm has earned it a fond place in the memories of German comics readers. The series is most associated with its creator, writer and artist Rolf Kauka, who brought his signature whimsical style and gentle humor to the cosmic exploits of these plucky rodent astronauts. Though brief, Die Astromäuse remains a curious footnote in European comics history, a compact example of 1980s genre fun from a major publishing house.