Nebula Spectra

Cover page for Nebula Spectra.

*Nebula Spectra* is a 2016 zine that compiles parts 16 and 17 of *Nebula*, along with the short story *Proco*, a bonus strip featuring Neptune, and additional artwork produced outside of the comic. It is significantly shorter than its predecessor, *Ultra*, with only 29 pages of content (not including *Proco*). It is pay-what-you-want, and free to download.

## Synopsis

*This covers parts 16 and 17 of Nebula, and two unnamed strips featuring Neptune, and Uranus and Venus, respectively. For more information on the series as a whole, see the main article linked above.*

### Part 16

After the incident with Ceres in *Ultra*, Earth bandages Mars' head. Venus walks up to them to check up on Mars, to which Earth replies he's doing good. Venus then snidely comments that Mars "kinda looks like shit". Earth responds that although he's a little rough, it's understandable because of the clash with Ceres - that everyone is holding up well for how the situation went down, and that they all need a bit of time for things to return to normal.

Mars begins to speak up, saying nothing will ever return to normal because Sun isn't going back to normal, either. Mars states that not only were multiple people injured beyond repair, himself included, Sun refuses to listen to anyone and that the incident with Ceres is not an isolated incident or accident, but Sun will not protect the solar system. Mars states that this isn't irrational or panic on his behalf, but that he believes everyone needs to protect themselves and that he doesn't trust what Sun is turning into.

Earth jumps to Sun's defense, in that he still came through when Ceres was attacking the solar system. Earth tells Mars she doesn't believe the situation is as hopeless as he describes and that everyone will turn out alright in the end, to which Mars replies, "No. We're not".

Venus, perhaps in a last-minute effort to comfort Earth, ostensibly agrees with her and says that everything will be alright even if everyone's upset right now. Mars doesn't respond, while Pluto and Black Hole appear right behind him.

### Neptune strip

Neptune floats by herself throughout space, and turns around to see a giant dragon soaring through the cosmos. She watches the dragon as it devours an entire star whole, then only reacts in stunned silence.

### Uranus and Venus strip

Uranus plays with their moons, which they have now collected 53 of. Venus walks up to them, and asks them if they know that their moons are just rocks as opposed to actual moons. She further comments that they put random rocks in orbit in place of actual moons, adding that she knew they were "weird", but questions what exactly Uranus is trying to prove about themself.

Uranus angrily rebukes her, labeling her "Mx. No Moons" and accuses her of not knowing what a moon actually looks like. She affirms that she *does* know, and that they don't look like "shitty rocks". Uranus, stating they have about 40 moons, makes it clear that they have no reason to prove themself to her and tells her to "shut up". The number of moons in their collection drops to 31.

### Part 17

Pluto reflects on himself, recalling that he's been floating in space for as long as he can remember - it may have been all he knew how to do, but he isn't sure if he's floating anymore. He states that his floating feels "different", and that it's more purposeful - he then adds that he's travelling, which he's excited about, but is also afraid.

He says he's not afraid of Black Hole, but that "nervous" may be a better word. He wishes he weren't on his own, and doesn't understand why he's still alone, then wonders if the rest of the solar system is afraid, too. He says he's not angry at any of them despite the circumstances, and wishes to remain optimistic about them in the hope they can still understand, and so can he. Black Hole interrupts his musings, and asks him if he already understands.

Pluto, finally approaching Black Hole, tells her she's "so warm... and so cold, at the same time". He says it "hurts, kind of", and wonders if it would hurt the others, as well. Black Hole wonders to herself if it would hurt to be so close to Pluto.

Black Hole then begins to distort Pluto's body beyond recognition. Now transformed, Pluto speaks in unintelligible language as Ceres did - his final line, however, appears to be "HATE HOME" written upside down.

## External Links

### Official Links

* Gumroad - Official download for *Nebula Spectra*
* Ghostfruits' Tumblr - Announcement post for Nebula Ultra