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Advance Review: Planetoid #3

Published

12 years ago

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The third installment of Image Comics and Ken Garing’s Planetoid hits shelves this week, adding a much needed human element to the arc. Garing’s sporadic use of dialogue has thus far allowed the art of his comic to define the mood; bleak swathes of metallic wasteland dominated almost every panel of the first 2 issues, giving the comic a pervasive hopelessness. However, with Silas’ help, the ragtag group of survivors undergo a stunning transformation. Read on for the skinny…

WRITTEN BY: Ken Garring
ART BY: Ken Garring
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
RELEASE: August 22nd, 2012

What makes this issue of “Planetoid” so strikingly different from the others is the presence of sky. Silas climbed what is known as “the Slab” in issue #2. This ascent changes the entire perspective of the comic, allowing Silas to no longer be dwarfed by the mechanical wasteland, as he can now see an unsullied horizon. The art from issue 1 and issue 3 are perfect to juxtapose against each other. Whereas in issue #1 Silas was being crushed by his environment, fighting for survival, he has now mastered it and is yearning for something more. This yearning can be summarized by a quote from the former presidential candidate, Herman Cain, as he addresses humanity when confronted by a fictitious alien invasion, “Citizens of Earth: It was the spirit of humanity that built this planet. It is that same spirit of humanity that will allow us to defend ourselves against unknown enemies. It is that same spirit of humanity that will allow us to destroy the aliens!” (Daily Show, April 2012).

My favorite part of “Planetoid” are the full page panels. In this issue Garing takes a full page to depict a solitary, lazy kite flying in the sky. This image, which appears near the end of the issue, is symbolic of the “spirit of humanity,” linking perspective, the sky and hope inextricably . Of course this all comes crashing down on the last page of the comic, setting up the confrontation between Silas and the evil robots. The introduction of beauty was short lived in “Planeotid,” but a much needed addition. The reader has seen that Silas is no mere survivalist, and that he now has something to fight for besides himself. I can’t wait for what will surely be a stunning conclusion in the next 2 issues of “Planetoid”.

4/5 skulls

Reviewed by theSandman

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Comics

‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

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16 hours ago

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April 18, 2024

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Witchblade cover

Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.

Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.

In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”

The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”

Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”

“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.

Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”

Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.

  • Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover

  • Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)

  • Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)

  • Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)

  • Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)

  • Cover H (1/250): Line art by Marc. Virgin Cover, Inks (B/W)

Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Witchblade comic panel Witchblade #1 cover image

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