Imagination and intellect merge in an awe-inspiring story that anyone, not just die-hard Planetary fans, can appreciate. Ethical shades of grey continue to orbit around the protagonists, and the cold side of these heroes makes for some riveting reading. Cassaday's art is brilliant... richly detailed and realistic yet full of energy and impossibility. Even so, it pales in comparison to Ellis's script. The writer just doesn't think like the rest of us. His head is wired up differently, and it provides him with points of view and possibilities one could see as unimaginable. Warren Ellis challenges his readers to follow his lead, to open their minds and think differently about science fiction and super-heroes, and about the world around us.
Operations at one of Planetary's base of operations in Africa has picked something up on the edge of our solar system. It's huge, it's alien and it's a mystery. Elijah Snow decides three operatives will have to go into space to examine the object and uncover the secrets that lie within, but the three operatives will not be himself, Jakita Wagner and the Drummer. No, the trio selected to go are far more capable of dealing with space travel, and all three are the apparent captives of Planetary. Time is of the essence, though, as the Four will likely also be investigating the phenomenon.
Cassaday's design for the mysterious beings caged in the Planetary facility in Africa is thoroughly effective. The creatures are creepy and unsettling in appearance, yet there's a beauty and peace to be found in their look as well. The artist also conveys the appropriate sense of immensity within the construct in deep space, and there's a pleasing mix of nature and the fantastic there as well. An interesting and out-of-place visual element in this issue is Dr. Kwelo, the Planetary site administrator. There's a softness and joy to the character that is unlike what one expects to find in this book, and I found he broadened Planetary's world a little.
Ellis goes to painstaking efforts to include as much exposition as possible into the script without being obvious that he's including it. It's not only helpful for new readers, but it's likely welcomed by the core fanbase. Planetary boasts a sporadic publishing schedule at best -- the previous issue was released three months ago -- and I'm betting Ellis recognizes that this story is being told in an episodic format first and a collected one second.
Those familiar with Ellis's work will not be surprised to discover a cynical edge to this story. Conspiracy theories and corruption in the establishment are common themes in the writer's work. But behind that darker edge here is something lighter. There's hope and wonder to be found in this story. Ellis celebrates nature and the supernatural in this science-fiction piece. The big revelation as to the world within the contruct depicted on the cover is mature and pure, yet oddly disturbing. Actually, it reminds me of the ending of an old Marvel graphic novel from the 1980s, Revenge of the Living Monolith, but Ellis does so much more with the concept.
