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Call it close encounters of the political kind: A New Mexico governor with a serious shot at becoming the first female president of the United States is abducted, along with her ex-husband, by aliens. The experience, naturally, changes her and causes her to reexamine quite a few things in her life. Notably, she has a startling realization: The aliens are invading, and we as a country need to mount a defense.
 
This will be extremely hard to do if the nation at large considers Governor Arcadia Alvarado a laughingstock, so she must keep her alien experience under wraps, for now at least, until she can win the election and properly inform the military of the impending threat. Writer Paul Cornell fills the series with smart political background, particularly when it comes to racial issues, and keeps the pace moving briskly. (This is for the best; the story is fun and thrilling but not meant to be over-analyzed; quick storytelling keeps the focus on the action and suspense.)
 
As usual, artist Ryan Kelly delivers solid, winning work here. The bright, animated artwork is nicely contrasted with the dark story, and his characters are vividly thought out.
 
Unfortunately, the series has been canceled after issue #14 (this volume collects the first six issues), so its life has been cut short. Still, this is an excellent trip into UFO territory, as well as a quirky political drama. It wins on both fronts. Hopefully the rest of the series will wrap up the storyline properly (and be released in a trade collection).
 

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