Planetary is less a superhero book than it is a book about the superhero sub-genre, and it’s antecedents and where it’s been and where it’s going, that’s what it’s always set out to be. It’s a book about the genre. That’s because there was a time where most superhero comics seemed to be about superhero comics, but only in the most superficial ways. I wanted to do something that actually went deeper into the sub-genre, exposed it’s roots and showed it’s branches. That’s what Planetary was set up to be.
- Warren Ellis

Warren Ellis and John Cassaday presents the audience with a self contained world where every facet of science fiction pop culture exists. It is inhabited by science heroes, pulp heroes, Toho inspired giant monsters, characters from 50’s scifi movies, pastiches of Tarzan, Sherlock Holmes, DC’s Vertigo Line, spy fiction, Doc Savage, Hong Kong action films, etc. Like most Ellis work, it is grounded in reality in such away that the ideas are very possible.

Ellis blew me away with this series! I loved the series for following reason: his characterization; the complex scientific ideas contained in the series; the continuation of his shamanistic themes; the soul as an electromagnetic field concept; the different view of the afterlife; another view of information and its relationship to the universe; the idea that “We are all living on two-dimensional planes of information. We live & breathe in 3-D as a side effect of the universe”; and his view of the multiverse. Reading his complete masterpiece fed my imagination and left me with a hunger to research these seeds that he planted in my subconscious.

Cassaday did an excellent job on the art. His character were expressive and his attention to detail was phenomenal! The character and vehicle designs were inspiring, especially his design for Dowling’s vessel. I loved how the faces conveyed emotions such as shock, fear, happiness, and pure madness. The action sequences were fluid and kinetic, many battles seem to leap off the page as I read it. His homages to the King (only king of comics, Jack Kirby) and other key images from the science fiction collective were touching.

Volumes 1-4 are must-haves and must-buys. It is one of the most satisfying series that I ever read! Mr. Ellis and Mr. Cassaday set the bar high with this masterpiece!

Images courtesy of http://www.johncassaday.com and the Ellis interview excerpt is courtesy of http://www.popimage.com

Jack’s tattoos…the number 5 is very present

Jack’s number (assuming its his number and not Claire or Aaron or Cristian) is 23.

Numerology – add the numbers until you arrive at one digit.

2+3= *drumroll* 5.

Hmmmmm

Not to mention the detail of the tattoo – the lines/arrows that are located underneath the 5…that look like some type of dial…kinda like the Lighthouse dial……

……………… hmmm

Images courtesy of ece.neu.edu & lost.cubit.net

Numerology on Wiki here.

5 – 五(ŋ5) — the self, me, myself (吾/ŋ4), nothing, never (唔/ng, m)

The Order is a short-lived series devoted to the California portion of the 50 State Initiative (government sponsored Posthuman operatives, an idea introduced in Mark Millar’s Civil War series). The series was prematurely ended at the 10th issue, but fortunately Matt Fraction tied up the loose ends lingering threads during his Iron Man run.

Matt Fraction weaved an interesting and engaging tale with a fully developed cast of heroes. In my opinion, Rebecca “Becky” Ryan and Mulholland “Holly” Black stood out to me the most. Becky was an endearing derivative of all those bright eyed child singer/actors who became involved in controversy during adulthood while Holly struck me as a fictional analogue of Kurt Donald Cobain’s daughter. Both young women made up for their youthful indiscretion through their heroics. I applaud Fraction’s inclusion of science elements like Posthuman ability granting viral genomech payload, Bannermen (from Morrison’s Marvel Boy series), and cybernetic zombie hobos or zobos as they are called. The all-girl gang, Black Dahlias, are interesting villains visually and concept wise.

Kitson’s artistic accentuates Fraction’s script. The audience can see the character’s emotion thanks to his masterful strokes. His designs and attention to detail are phenomenal. I particularly dug his designs for Holly and the Black Dahlias.

These trades are a must-buy for all Marvel Zombies!

Images Courtesy of http://www.marvel.com

Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance focuses on the Super Young Team, a group of otaku superheroes who worship the Justice League and aided in saving the multiverse from total destruction. The Super Young Team is an amalgam of the Ultimen (featured in Justice League Unlimited), the cast of the Real World, Japan’s cosplay subculture, anime, and superhero fanboys which makes sense on some level because they are Grant Morrison’s creations.

Joe Casey and ChrisCross shows us what happens after this events and their attempts to establish themselves as respected heroes. Casey created a fun and engaging story as well as fleshed out the team. All of the members feel organic and unique under his writing. Casey continues his trend of incorporating the current technological trends by having one of the main characters tweet his reaction to the unfolding story. He also introduced the interesting ideas like a sentient mind controlling single-celled conqueror. ChrisCross’ designs are amazing, his style continues to grow with each series. His work helps convey the emotion and grandeur for Casey’s script. The creative duo worked well like Smith & Hipp, Millar & Hitch, etc.

I recommend this series to everyone looking for a fun, satisfying and action packed story.

Images courtesy of http://www.dccomics.com