Planetary Overrated?

[Mr. Holmes]

The first time through reading this book, I found it interesting enough to keep going. The mystery behind Snow and the fourth man, I think is compelling and well done. I love the characters, especially Snow and Jakita Wagner. But the book's real ambitions seem to be in the whole meta aspect. In concept, I kind of like this. I love the idea of fiction tropes in pulps, films, and superhero comics all fitting together in a cohesive, literary universe. But I think it's executed much better in something like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Each issue introduces a lot of pastiches of things like Hong Kong action films, Godzilla, Doc Savage, etc. But my reaction ultimately "so what?" It feels like a never ending series of hollow pastiches, and nothing insightful about them.

Does anyone feel similarly?

[Superdog]

How far into it are you? I remember reading the first part and being impressed by all the craziness. I do think it comes together nicely, although some of the quantum weirdness confused me a bit.

[Mr. Holmes]

I'm almost done. I read the first half of it last year, and finally got around to finishing it now.

[theloupgaroukid]

Each issue introduces a lot of pastiches of things like Hong Kong action films, Godzilla, Doc Savage, etc. But my reaction ultimately "so what?" It feels like a never ending series of hollow pastiches, and nothing insightful about them.

Does anyone feel similarly?

Not to speak for Warren Ellis but my interpretation of "the point" of Planetary was to show how comics could be about more genres than just capes. Snow is aligned with the champions of other genres, Sherlock Holmes and Doc (Savage) Brass especially, against the Four- a not so subtle allusion to the Fantastic Four and Marvel comics and the superhero domination of western comic books. The Four suppress and destroy to the detriment of common humanity while Snow's mission is to save "things" (ideas and people) and to keep the world a strange place full of variety and wonder.

I don't think there is any insight into the genres/pastiches to be had other than 'here they are, enjoy".

[Superdog]

The fact that the bad guys are

spoilers:

the Fantastic Four allied with Darkseid

end of spoilers

is sort of awesome.

[Mr. Holmes]

I wonder if that's what gave Hickman the idea for what he did Reed in Ultimates. Which reminds me Ellis actually wrote the beginnings of that version of F4.

The idea that comics can be more than superheroes goes without saying, though I can't blame Ellis for being really frustrated for the state of American comics.

[theloupgaroukid]

The idea that comics can be more than superheroes goes without saying, though I can't blame Ellis for being really frustrated for the state of American comics.

It is pretty obvious but especially at the time when Planetary was first published the market didn't really reflect that. Vertigo and Dark Horse were really the only places to go for non-capes, Image Comics was mostly McFarlane and Silvestri (Top Cow) and was years away from being the Indie darling that it is now. I like to think of Planetary as the palette cleanser of all of the worst excesses of the 90's comics.

Also, there is some interesting irony in Ellis penning the evil 4 and then going directly to Marvel and writing those same characters he vilifies.

[Mr. Holmes]

His Ultimate Fantastic Four actually really has a Planetary, pulpy sci-fi vibe to it.

[Green Arrow Jr.]

I like to think of Planetary as the palette cleanser of all of the worst excesses of the 90's comics.

Also, there is some interesting irony in Ellis penning the evil 4 and then going directly to Marvel and writing those same characters he vilifies.

You gotta love the irony. I love your analogy you are so dead on.

[Brother Justin Crowe]

The fact that the bad guys are

spoilers:

the Fantastic Four allied with Darkseid

end of spoilers

is sort of awesome.

Also that the good guys are basically spoilers:

the Challengers of the Unknown if they were complete dicks, and one of them was Tarzan's daughter

end of spoilers. That's pretty neat.

[Mr. Holmes]

They are? Then again I'm not that familiar with Challengers of the Unknown, beyond them being precursors to F4.

Now I want a Planetary-styled Challengers of the Unknown reboot.

[Brother Justin Crowe]

They are? Then again I'm not that familiar with Challengers of the Unknown, beyond them being precursors to F4.

Now I want a Planetary-styled Challengers of the Unknown reboot.

DiDio fucked that up for everyone.

[Billy Batson]

DiDio fucked that up for everyone.

What hasn't Didiot fucked up?

[Billy Batson]

And to answer to thread, a little bit.

[idlewildered]

It's something I need to go back to actually. I read the first act and enjoyed it well enough but wasn't blown away and haven't tried again as yet.

I've a quiet weekend coming up, will give it a whirl then and come back with thoughts.