The children’s graphic novel series was first published in 2011 by publisher FirstSecond, who signed Hatke to a two-book deal in 2008 (see “'Flight' Creators Get GN Deals”). The first book Zita the Spacegirl was published in February 2011 (see “ Review of 'Zita the Spacegirl' TP”). The sci-fi story stars Zita as a reluctant hero who must journey to a strange world to save her kidnapped friend Joseph and save a planet from destruction. It was followed by Legends of Zita the Spacegirl  in 2012 and The Return of Zita the Spacegirl in 2014.

The adaptation is being written by Morgan Jurgenson and Alex Ankeles. The project is being produced by Chernin Entertainment.

Hetke recently won an Eisner for his children’s graphic novel Little Robot (see “Image, Drawn & Quarterly Dominate Eisners”). His most recent graphic novel is a new take on Jack and the Beanstalk called Mighty Jack (see “New Work from Hatke, Shinga, Brown, More”).