jekutree's review against another edition
5.0
Planetary is one of the best stories that the comics medium has to offer. It’s as simple as that. Comics such as League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Black Hammer both do the same thing as Planetary, honor the fiction of the past while shining a new light on it. Planetary does it more subtly and crafts a unique story that can be enjoyed without understanding all the little references. But that’s what makes Planetary so great. The fact that all the little nuances and references allow for near unlimited re-readability.
The art and writing both feature Cassaday and Ellis at the tip tops of their games. Both crank out a product that is endlessly entertaining, rewarding and captivating. The characters are all very likable and the pastiches of The Fantastic Four, James Bond, John Constantine and Tarzan are among the most well done in my opinion. Even the original characters, are awesome. Elijah Snow is definitely in the running for coolest comic book characters of all time.
Ellis writes an amazingly creative narrative that also serves as a love letter to 20th century media and tells it in the most 21st century way.
Planetary is one of the greatest works of the comics medium and for that reason I’m giving it the easiest 10/10 I’ve ever given.
The art and writing both feature Cassaday and Ellis at the tip tops of their games. Both crank out a product that is endlessly entertaining, rewarding and captivating. The characters are all very likable and the pastiches of The Fantastic Four, James Bond, John Constantine and Tarzan are among the most well done in my opinion. Even the original characters, are awesome. Elijah Snow is definitely in the running for coolest comic book characters of all time.
Ellis writes an amazingly creative narrative that also serves as a love letter to 20th century media and tells it in the most 21st century way.
Planetary is one of the greatest works of the comics medium and for that reason I’m giving it the easiest 10/10 I’ve ever given.
jammasterjamie's review against another edition
5.0
I love when a story lives up to the hype, and this one absolutely does! An incredibly intricate, yet tightly told story that is complimented by top of the line art, I really can't think of anything that was wrong or bad about this book.
vartakhimanshu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
mootastic's review against another edition
5.0
What if the pop culture of the 20th century were actually history? That's the question Planetary tries to answer by following a group of archaeologists whose goal is to explore all the strange goings-on in their world, all of which just happen to bear an uncanny resemblance toward popular entertainment in our own.
Each issue of Planetary focuses on a particular pop cultural touchstone, whether they be superheros, pulp adventurers, or kaiju monsters, and reinterprets them through a new, and weird, lens. Though each issue is basically it's own self contained mini-movie, together they form an overarching story about conspiracy, discovery, and the strange landscape that is our shared nerd heritage.
Basically, the bigger geek you are, the more you'll appreciate Planetary. Many of pop culture's biggest names are represented here, albeit in a distorted (though still easily identifiable) manner. Planetary works not just as entertainment, but as a metatexutal exploration of that entertainment. Recommended for anyone who loves geeky things.
Each issue of Planetary focuses on a particular pop cultural touchstone, whether they be superheros, pulp adventurers, or kaiju monsters, and reinterprets them through a new, and weird, lens. Though each issue is basically it's own self contained mini-movie, together they form an overarching story about conspiracy, discovery, and the strange landscape that is our shared nerd heritage.
Basically, the bigger geek you are, the more you'll appreciate Planetary. Many of pop culture's biggest names are represented here, albeit in a distorted (though still easily identifiable) manner. Planetary works not just as entertainment, but as a metatexutal exploration of that entertainment. Recommended for anyone who loves geeky things.
lookhome's review against another edition
5.0
Ellis's writing is wonderful. There's no other way around this.
He not only creates wonderful characters, he creates worlds.
Planetary combines the best of Indiana Jones, the Matrix, 50's adventure films, Paris,Texas and Men In Black but does so while exploring the conventions and frailties of the genre.
Throughout the 25 volumes, you'll find alien technology, humour, adventure, angst, misery and the very real threat of human annihilation.
The reasons are clear, the plotting consistent, the character loveably awkward and delightfully flawed.
The superpowers play on superhero conventions without ever feeling false, sappy or fake edgy.
How is this possible? Ellis stories focused on characters whose actions create situations that rapidly expand from the individual, to the global, to the cosmic. He takes his time and he lets the reader understand and evaluate the situation as it expands, providing context and encounters that expand the main character's sense of identity while still fulfilling a purpose in the plot.
This is a true masterwork of Comic writing. For me, it's up there with Gaiman's Sandman, Moore's Swamp Thing and Vaughan's Y:The Last Man. While Injection continues to be my favourite Ellis work, this is a very close second.
Ps. Look for the not so subtle knocks at 80/90's comic characters, keep an eye out for Dream and Death's cameo as well as 3rd rate versions of the Swamp Thing and Etrigan the demon.
He not only creates wonderful characters, he creates worlds.
Planetary combines the best of Indiana Jones, the Matrix, 50's adventure films, Paris,Texas and Men In Black but does so while exploring the conventions and frailties of the genre.
Throughout the 25 volumes, you'll find alien technology, humour, adventure, angst, misery and the very real threat of human annihilation.
The reasons are clear, the plotting consistent, the character loveably awkward and delightfully flawed.
The superpowers play on superhero conventions without ever feeling false, sappy or fake edgy.
How is this possible? Ellis stories focused on characters whose actions create situations that rapidly expand from the individual, to the global, to the cosmic. He takes his time and he lets the reader understand and evaluate the situation as it expands, providing context and encounters that expand the main character's sense of identity while still fulfilling a purpose in the plot.
This is a true masterwork of Comic writing. For me, it's up there with Gaiman's Sandman, Moore's Swamp Thing and Vaughan's Y:The Last Man. While Injection continues to be my favourite Ellis work, this is a very close second.
Ps. Look for the not so subtle knocks at 80/90's comic characters, keep an eye out for Dream and Death's cameo as well as 3rd rate versions of the Swamp Thing and Etrigan the demon.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
And that was a big ass book. Almost too heavy to read. But otherwise a pretty good form. I appreciated when the chapter breaks with the original book covers and the issue numbers. They could have done better for my needs with a table of contents. And maybe an actual issue number. The extra crossover bits worked pretty well. I can't say I'm a huge fan of Planetary after this. But it was an interesting world, that I'm glad I read. 3.5 of 5.
wedgelovespizza's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
al_capwned's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The whole "larger than life" situation makes it a bit similar to The Authority (they even have a special issue together) and a bit pretentious in my opinion.
jonmhansen's review against another edition
5.0
Classic Ellis. Quite the challenge spotting all the various homages to other comics figures.