Artist: John Cassaday
Publisher: WildStorm/DC Comics
Collects: Planetary #19-27
What is it about British comics writers? They all seem to be able to tap into this fantastical, "the world behind the curtain" idea that I, being from the UK, love. Maybe it's something in the water.
Warren Ellis is no exception to this, and Planetary is a now-complete series that he did with (American) John Cassaday from 1998 to 2009, about the shadowy organisation Planetary, which is dedicated to investigating the secret history of the world.
But it is also so much deeper than just that intriguing premise. It is about exploring the tropes and archetypes of fictional storytelling in almost every medium since cavemen drew on walls. More on that later though; for now, let's talk about the three main characters.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
Elijah Snow is a gruff and mysterious man, born on January 1st, 1900 and possesses both immortality and the ability to freeze things.
Jakita Wagner comes with the classic superhero package -- strength, speed and invulnerability -- and has the "punch first, ask questions later" attitude usually found in male characters, which is refreshing.
The Drummer is best described as the 90s personified. His clothes, appearance and personality all match your typical Generation Xer. Aside from his free-spirited witticisms, he can also mentally interface with any technology and "see" information.
These are the men and woman whom we follow as they uncover mind-blowing mysteries and have incredible adventures across the length and breadth of human imagination. And that's the only let down of this whole series: the characters.
As I started Spacetime Archaeology, the final entry in this amazing saga, I realised that I did not really care about any one of these people. I was just in it for the story and the ideas. They all seem to have the bare minimum personality required to get through the plot, and nothing more. And while I realise that none of them has a life outside of Planetary, it would have been nice to see something along the lines of a "day off" type story, just to build them up somewhat. A complex and intricate past doesn't make up for a bland and predictable present.
But enough bitching! On to the art!
With the mind-blowing scope of this series, it could easily have been brought down by mediocre artwork. Thank God for John Cassaday. If, when I die, it is revealed to me that Mr. Cassaday has been drawing all of reality, I would not be surprised.
Cassaday is the very pinnacle of the phrase "up to the challenge". With the ever-shifting genres of this series, the art style changed just as dramatically, and Cassaday kept up with the pace throughout. He became whatever was needed, yet maintained his own unique signature too. Whether drawing the infinite facets of the Multiverse, an exotic alien vista, or even just ordinary, honest-to-goodness human emotion, he nails it with the exact measure of detail needed. He doesn't overdo it, nor does he skimp anywhere.
Forgive me for speaking of the series as a whole, but it is difficult to discuss any part of Planetary without referencing the sum total. Which is somewhat apt. However, if you want to talk about some amazing art in Spacetime Archaeology specifically, then there is an amazing sequence that speaks to Cassaday's talents in pacing.
When Elijah almost falls off that plane and then Ambrose grabs him at the last possible second? I literally gasped. That's how you do an action sequence in a comic book, where I could easily have sneaked a look ahead to see if he made it.
Remember what I said about the fictional archetypes and whatnot? In Spacetime Archaeology the plot is concerned with bringing the fight to the bad guys -- The Four Voyagers, frighteningly based on Marvel's Fantastic Four -- so there isn't a lot of room for the customary missions of discovery. But what little there is is just as outstanding as the whole series has been.
Under Ellis's microscope this volume are characters such as the Lone Ranger, the Green Hornet, Nick Fury, plus a few elements from 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Fantastic Four's own origin (retold in a terrifying new light).
As usual, Ellis reduces these concepts to their barest essentials and examines who and what they are without ever sacrificing story or plot. In fact, he weaves them together, which is what Planetary is all about, really. It is a true testament to how well these things age that they are still just as captivating and fun to explore.
What's more, the "Big Idea" sci-fi elements are baffling, but not off-putting. I get the impression that these things are supposed to be over my head, and understanding them is not necessary to the plot. I sometimes felt slow, but never felt lost with Planetary, and that's okay.
By the time I had finished Spacetime Archaeology, I finally understood one of Ellis's many mantras about this series: He said that he wanted to make everything old new again. And, as I read about these timeless characters and stories, I found myself appreciating them as if for the first time, and remembering why I loved them.
They say there's no love quite like your first love, but Planetary gets pretty damn close.
Rating: 4/5
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