View Feedback | Send this Article | Published 4/11/03

Graphic By: Jonelle Thackston

ÜPlanetary¯ is the story of Elijah Snow, a mysterious man born in 1900 who has the ability to generate cold. He is joined by super-strong Jakita Wagner, and a mysterious man known only as ÜThe Drummer.¯ Together, the trio, who refer to themselves as Ümystery archaeologists,¯ travels the world uncovering what they call Üthe secret history of the 20th century.¯ What this means is they investigate odd goings-on that slipped the publicäs attention. The thing is, most of these goings-on involve super-heroes, atomic mutants, giant monsters and gateways to other dimensions.

Writer Warren Ellis and artist John Cassady take many traditional comic book conventions and turn them up on their ear. For example, they present a twisted version of the Fantastic Four, who use their powers for evil instead of good. We meet counterparts for Japanese monsters Godzilla and Mothra, although theyäre dead, put down by a vast conspiracy working to keep these goings-on a secret.

ÜPlanetary¯ has suffered from a somewhat inconsistent publication schedule, which writer Warren Ellis addressed on his personal website, stating that the problems have been worked out. However, the first twelve issues have been collected in two trade paperbacks: ÜAround the World and Other Stories¯ and ÜThe Fourth Man,¯ respectively. Check them out!