A 150-Year-Old Cosmic Mystery Awakens in CMS Astronomical Research Team Vol. 1

Alice Ma’s young adult science-fiction adventure combines astronomy, Hong Kong history, and an ancient device hiding secrets far bigger than anyone imagined

Grab your telescope, fire up the instruments, and prepare to question everything written in the history books. A mysterious discovery at the Hong Kong Observatory is about to crack open a secret that has been waiting more than a century to be found.

This December, Nakama Press and Mad Cave Studios will launch CMS Astronomical Research Team Vol. 1, the opening chapter of an original young adult science-fiction series from Hong Kong-based artist and storyteller Alice Ma.

The adventure begins when a strange stone pillar is discovered at the Hong Kong Observatory. Director Shun Chi Ming and his two young assistants are assigned to investigate, but what looks like an unusual historical relic quickly becomes something far more extraordinary.

Digging through old records and examining the pillar with modern scientific instruments, the team uncovers a jaw-dropping truth: the object is actually an ancient astronomical device connected to a mystery stretching back 150 years. Yeah, somebody left one serious puzzle sitting beneath the stars.

Science, history, and adventure collide as the young investigators follow the evidence into a much larger universe. Every clue brings them closer to an impossible discovery, while every answer creates another question about the device, its origins, and what previous generations may have known about the cosmos.

Rather than treating science like a classroom assignment wearing uncomfortable shoes, CMS Astronomical Research Team turns astronomy into the engine of a fast-moving mystery. Curiosity becomes the team’s greatest weapon as research, observation, and critical thinking propel the story forward.

The series comes from an international creative team led by Alice Ma, with Shun Chi Ming providing the original story concept, Cheung Chi Wai serving as story creator, Tang Man-hon: STEM Sir as general supervisor, Nekori handling the script and storyboards, and Book Buddy Media providing lettering.

Ma’s creative background stretches across comics, visual storytelling, and performance. A graduate of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance and Choreography. Her experience with movement, atmosphere, and emotion flows directly into her visual storytelling, giving the project an identity rooted in both artistic expression and scientific discovery.

Developed through the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s Comix Home Base initiative, CMS Astronomical Research Team marks Ma’s debut long-form comics project. The series draws inspiration from astronomy and the history of the Hong Kong Observatory, creating a mystery-driven adventure grounded in a real sense of place.

At its heart, the book asks a question with some serious power behind it: What if the objects left behind by previous generations still have something important to tell us?

For young readers who love scientific mysteries, hidden histories, cosmic discoveries, and adventures built around smart characters solving enormous problems, this new series could be a direct hit. No magical prophecy is required here. Knowledge opens the door, evidence lights the path, and curiosity sends the team charging straight into the unknown.

CMS Astronomical Research Team Vol. 1 goes on sale December 1, 2026, in paperback for $10.99. Its ISBN is 978-1-5458-3254-7. The cosmic investigation will continue with Volume 2 on April 13, 2027, followed by Volume 3 on August 10, 2027.

Readers can preorder the first volume through their local comic shop, favorite bookstore, or directly from Nakama Press.

The universe is full of unanswered questions, Crusaders. This December, one strange stone pillar could bring us closer to the truth.

Nakama Press celebrates timeless traditions while embracing creative innovation, connecting cultures, and building a worldwide community of creators and readers.

Follow Mad Cave Studios and its imprints Maverick, Papercutz, and Nakama Press for upcoming releases and announcements. Visit MadCaveStudios.com to explore its growing lineup of licensed and creator-owned titles.