Planetary

Planetary Vol. 1-4 written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by John Cassaday

Ever since Allan Moore and Frank Miller re-suited up superheroes with Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns, comics and writers have been playing catch up.  Some have done this well, but most have either drown in their basically soap opera ways or strangled themselves with the reality Moore and Miller brought.  Not too many comics have matched what they did in the 80’s but Planetary is one of those comics that built something good on the foundation Moore and Miller laid.  This isn’t so much a comic book as it is just a really good story that happens to be told in a comic book format.  That’s one of the things many writers trying to emulate Moore and Miller’s realism forgot along the way.  Realism wasn’t the focal point of the comic.  The focal point was telling a good story that just happened to be in the comic book format.  Ellis and Cassaday’s Planetary is totally story driven.  It doesn’t get caught up with the standard Marvel and DC comic book hijinks; it treats storytelling just as if you’re reading a book, only this book happens to have pictures. 

I’ve read some other works by Ellis and this is by far the best thing I’ve read that he’s written.  The story line is laser focused, as he builds the story arc with each issue, while also laying the ground work to come with subtle hints at foreshadowing.  There isn’t an issue where the storyline isn’t pushed forward or some characters are developed better.  Nothing is wasted.  The ideas Ellis brings to light in each issue are simply mind blowing.  They combine everything from Star Trek, Star Wars, Fringe, and every science article or sci-fi movie known to man, and Ellis did all of this with, surprising, only 27 issues.  Whereas Marvel and DC can’t even do a single good idea with 100 plodding issues.  Ellis treats this series like it’s his own dissertation on comics as he combines all sorts of nerd ingredients from Tarzan, Doc Savage, The Lone Ranger, The Fantastic Four, Green Lantern, Superman, Wonder Woman, to The Shadow (to name just a few).  He combines them in a way that doesn’t feel gimmicky because a lot of them are built into the mythology of the story.  They aren’t just there for the nerds to goo goo and gaga over.  They actually serve a purpose.  Into this world, and story line, Ellis drops three good characters Elijah Snow, Jakita Wagner, and the Drummer and then with each issue he builds on their history and character.  Ellis also isn’t afraid to let this characters change either, when circumstances dictate some kind of change, his characters change.  Another curve ball is thrown into the mix as Ellis and Cassaday create an actual female character that goes against all Marvel and DC stereotypes of women.  She actually wears normally clothes and isn’t over sexuality.  Believe it or not she’s a real type of female character.  I think this is one of greatest things about this series because so often women in comics are completely treated like a piece of meat: over large breasts, pouty expressions, skimpy/revealing clothing, and over sexualized poses, thankfully Jakita goes against every stereotype in comics.  

Cassaday is a blessing to have drawn every issue of this series. His panels move the story along with a great pace and his splash pages serve their purpose: to enhance a situation or an idea with the extreme largeness of it.  It’s like watching a mini movie only with still pictures.  His style is distinctly his; there’s no one else out there that is anywhere near his style.  It’s realistic without being too detailed but yet has enough comic touches that will help to establish it as a superhero book.