Final issue of Planetary ships today
The final issue of Warren Ellis and John Cassaday’s “Planetary” ships to stores today. The series debuted in April 1999 and has been a critically acclaimed and Eisner-nominated comic book throughout its run. The much-delayed series features an organization tracking down the world’s secret history. “Indiana Jones meets the X-Files” was what I used to pitch people on the series at my comic book store, where Planetary along with “The Authority,” also by Warren Ellis, were among my favorite books of 1999.
In fact, the WildStorm of 1999 was something of a reader’s paradise, especially for someone like me, with a fascination for pulps and superheroes. In addition to Ellis, Alan Moore was creating the America’s Best Comics line for WildStorm, with Tom Strong, Promethea and others. In retrospect, we should have known it was too good to last. But in 1999, my first full year of owning a comic book store, it seemed the future was at our fingertips, and brilliant, wonderfully illustrated comic books would be ours forever.
This is not to knock what there is today; there are great comic books coming out all the time, anymore. Just this year, we’ve had Asterios Polyp, A.D.: After the Deluge, The Big Kahn, The Photographer, and I’m sure lots more I’m not thinking of at the moment.
But 10 years ago was a personally and professionally exciting time for me, and “Planetary” was part of that. I had been aware of Ellis first from “Excalibur” and later for “Transmetropolitan,” but “Planetary” increased my respect for his work.
Cassaday, who was raised in Texas and Oklahoma, was already on my radar after having drawn “Desperadoes” for WildStorm. Around the time “Planetary” came out, I named Cassaday the artist to watch for the future in an issue of Diamond Comics’ retailer newsletter. I think that prediction turned out pretty well. In addition to “Planetary,” Cassaday illustrated “Captain America” and “Astonishing X-Men,” and now is becoming a director, scheduled to helm an upcoming episode of Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse.” Cassaday spent much of the last four years drawing the graphic novel “I Am Legion,” and is also attached to direct the film adaptation of that project.
Both Ellis, Cassaday, and many of the fans of “Planetary” are in different places, literally and figuratively, than when this series started 10 years ago. But I for one am very much looking forward to seeing how the story ends.
- Matt Price
WildStorm tidbits: Wildcats, Authority, Planetary
Several high-profile projects from WildStorm that have gone missing in action are still being worked on, said Hank Kanalz of WildStorm at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting.
The Grant Morrison-Jim Lee “Wildcats” series will be completed as a graphic novel, and will be solicited when it’s complete, Kanalz said.
The Morrison “Authority” also won’t be permanently abandoned.
“The Grant Morrison ‘Authority’ will be finished by Keith Giffen and a variety of artists,” Kanalz told retailers. “When you see the solicitation, you know it’s done.”
Also, answering what he said was the most popular question he’s been asked, “Planetary” #27 by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday should ship in 2009. That book also won’t be solicited until it’s done, Kanalz said.
– Matt Price
New creator-driven lineup coming from WildStorm
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — WildStorm announced the development of an aggressive creator-driven line at the 2009 ComicsPRO Annual Meeting.
Several new comic-book series will be joining the WildStorm line, announced Hank Kanalz of WildStorm. The titles include:
- “North 40,” by Aaron Williams (”PS238″) and Fiona Staples (”Secret History of the Authority”).
This is a miniseries about a Midwestern American town that holds a secret in its library — a book that brings dreams and nightmares to life. It launches in June.
- “Red Herring,” by Dave Tischman and Philip Bond.
This six-issue miniseries launching in June was described by Kanalz as “The Daily Show meets the X-Files.” It’s designed to be a series of miniseries, Kanalz said.
- “Sparta,” written by David Lapham
A sleepy American town built around its football team has a magical undertone.
- “Garrison,” written by Jeff Mariotte
“Garrison” is an FBI procedural miniseries in which agents are tracking down a serial killer.
Kanalz said WildStorm is committed to shipping these series on time.
“We’re sticking to our promise that when we solicit, that means we’re ready to go,” Kanalz said.
– Matt Price
Tom Strong to return in new miniseries
Superhero Tom Strong, created by Alan Moore, will return to the WildStorm imprint in 2009 in a miniseries by Peter Hogan and Chris Sprouse.
Hank Kanalz, general manager of WildStorm Productions, said the new series will be called “Tom Strong and the Robots of Doom.”
“With Chris on ‘Tom Strong,’ this will make a terrific miniseries, and it will come out on time,” Kanalz said.
Tom Strong was created by Moore and Sprouse and first appeared in “Tom Strong” #1 from America’s Best Comics, an imprint of WildStorm, in 1999.
- Matt Price
Comics vodcast: Wolverine 67, Wildcats, Comic-Con
Comics podcast – Wolverine: First Class, Authority, Army of Darkness/Xena, Transhuman
Greg Elwell, Kyle Roberts and Matt Price talk about “Wolverine: First Class,” #1 ”Secret History of the Authority – Hawksmoor” #1, “Army of Darkness/Xena: Why Not” #1 and “Transhuman” #1 on this week’s comics podcast at newsok.com.
About “Secret History of the Authority: Hawksmoor” #1:
Matt Price: I thought this had a decent feel with what you had of the early “Authority.”
Greg Elwell: Well, maybe … There are some good ideas in there. I certainly enjoyed Hawksmoor using the city to fight the robot, but, I dunno. The love story aspect – I wish there was one or the other. But the nice thing is, a lot of characterization.
—
About “Wolverine: First Class”:
Kyle Roberts: I liked it. It’s kind of the early 80s X-Men. I really like all the facial expressions from Shadowcat and Wolverine, and the personality that shows through for both of them. … It’s written very well.
—
About “Army of Darkness/Xena”:
Greg Elwell: I was not ever a huge Xena the Warrior Princess fan … when I did tune in, I’ll tell you the reason I did tune in: Bruce Campbell. … John Layman has done a really great job here by taking a couple of pretty wacky ideas and going full-tilt with them.
Matt Price: They’re taking it kind of tongue in cheek, and I think that’s the way to do it.
Greg Elwell: It’s an “A” in my book.
—
About “Transhuman” #1:
Matt Price: This is my favorite thing (Hickman) has done so far. It’s about two companies that are both trying to build the next generation of humans. … I really wanted to read more.
Not a dream, not a hoax, wait…maybe it is a dream.
It’s not like the two universes haven’t met before — hell, didn’t Superman and Mr. Majestic switch places for a couple months? — but the bleed will be breached again soon in the DC/Wildstorm crossover “Dreamwar.”
Keith Giffen is writing and promises readers a few things:
1. Even though it’s called “Dreamwar,” the characters won’t wake up at the end, “Dallas”-style, with Grifter in the shower. In other words, lasting consequences will be felt in the Wildstorm Universe, which is much less important than DC proper, apparently.
2. This isn’t a one- or two-character crossover — almost everybody from both universes will make an appearance. It will be similar to the “JLA/Avengers” mini-series done so well a few years ago.
3. The Legion of Super Heroes will show up, though it won’t be the version Giffen wrote. In fact, he’s not telling which Legion (classic, diet or New Legion) will appear.
Anybody interested in this? My devotion to the Wildstorm books has waned mightily in recent years. Though I’m enjoying the current Simone run on “Gen 13″ and loved the recently cancelled “StormWatch PHD,” the start-stop-start-stop on “WildCATS” and the general all-heroes-are-villains attitude in most of the books has turned me off.
What do you guys think?
– Greg Elwell
