You can add this comic to the list of those publications we had to wait a heckuva long time for.Other examples: Camelot 3000 #12, Steranko's History of Comics Vol. 3, Ellison's Final Dangerous Visions, the next All-Star Batman and Robin and lots of others I've forgotten.
Luckily, the comic was worth the wait.
For those too young to remember this comic's earlier days, Planetary tells the story of a small group of super-powered heroes who roam the world, solving mysteries and putting together the pieces of a universe-shaking puzzle.
The series was the perfect team-up of two terrific talents. Writer Warren Ellis managed to work in an amazing number of references to past comics, pulps, science fiction and films, all bound together by a compelling story that stretched the bounds of comic books.
Artist John Cassaday used this comic to show that he's one of (if not THE) best artists working in comic today. With a style of his own, he also manages to combine the best of Steranko, Severin, Wood, Perez and McGuire. His images are big, bold and dynamic, and he brings iconic characters to life, evoking the inspiration without copying outright. If you doubt it, just pick up the comic and look at the fold-out cover, which recaps the series all by itself. What a poster it would make!
Which brings us to this final issue, which intelligently wraps up one last plot point and points the characters into the future in a touching way.
I'm not sure it would make a lot of sense to anyone who hadn't read any of the previous issues, but to fans, it's a great wrap-up to an outstanding series that should enjoy a long life in collected form.
Highly, highly recommended!
Grade: A
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