Inside the Making of He Lost His Keys in Space, An Interview with Writer Luke Milton

When Australian writer Luke Milton started humming the theme to an old Japanese cartoon in the shower, he did not expect it to spark a sci-fi comedy. The cartoon was Ulysses 31, a 1980s Japanese series that Milton remembered mainly for its theme song. Years later, that tune became the unlikely starting point for He Lost His Keys in Space, his graphic novel with artist Lizzy Lang.

“It was silly enough to start us riffing on what that actually might be like,” Milton told John Dodge of the Vocal Media Geeks Blog in a recent interview.

The book combines humor, character-driven storytelling, and science fiction, and its setting has drawn comparisons to well-known space franchises such as Star Wars and Star Trek.

Milton explained that while he is more of a Star Wars fan, he appreciates the comparison to Star Trek, describing He Lost His Keys in Space as “Star Trek if Earth never managed to figure things out.” He added that the story was their attempt to present a TV series in book form, complete with episodic structure and a clear narrative arc.

In the interview, Milton also discussed the book’s main character, Vega Ullysses, describing him as a “nightmare character.” He cited influences such as A Confederacy of Dunces and television comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm and I Think You Should Leave. His collaborator, Lizzy Lang, helped keep the tone grounded by ensuring the story never crosses into glorifying Vega’s behavior.

The conversation covers the creative process behind the story, including how Milton and Lang balanced social commentary with humor. Milton noted that they usually prioritize comedy and then use it as a vehicle to explore broader ideas such as consumerism and the systems that shape society.

He also discussed how the story’s structure shifts over time, moving from clearly defined adventures toward chapters that dismantle everything around the protagonist. While he has ideas for potential spin-offs, Milton said the book’s ending felt like the most “real” conclusion they could land on.

The full interview offers an in-depth look at the influences, humor, and creative thought that shaped He Lost His Keys in Space, as well as the future work of its creators.

Read the complete interview with Luke Milton on Vocal Media Geeks