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Bridge Planet Nine
A heist gone wrong. In this gritty, intimate sci-fi graphic novel, four down-and-out thieves touch down on an abandoned colony planet for an easy heist…until the masks come off. Bridge Planet Nine, once a thriving outpost, is now deserted. Corporations have claimed what’s left of its natural resources for automated extraction, and even the freighter ships that refuel here are completely unmanned. Now one of those freighters…is about to be robbed. The hijackers are a small, reluctant crew, each with their own reasons for being there. With no one around for millions of miles, they don’t expect interference. But the planet’s grim history and dark secrets will turn a simple job into a bloody fight for survival. Featuring elegant inky artwork, tense pacing, lived-in characters, and a touch of pandemic paranoia, Jared Throne’s Top Shelf debut is a captivating work of suspenseful sci-fi that will leave readers gasping for breath.
208 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2025
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18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 2, 2025
A sci-fi 🛰️ graphic novel by Jared Throne coming this October! Great for fans of The Last Of Us, 1984 and Doctor Who.☣️ A short dose of adventure, action and mystery.💥
Thank you to NetGalley, Jared Throne, IDW Publishing and Top Shelf Comics for this arc. 🖤
Thank you to NetGalley, Jared Throne, IDW Publishing and Top Shelf Comics for this arc. 🖤
July 28, 2025
Thank you to IDW Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
Bridge Planet Nine centers around 4 thieves that take a chance on a huge score: a deserted planet where freighter ships go to refuel with no humans to guide them. Seems like a simple heist, but when the group lands on Bridge Planet Nine, they find the situation is much more complicated, and life-threatening, than they ever imagined. Will they make it out and become rich or will they die to the secrets of Bridge Planet Nine?
This was a decent graphic novel that had some good moments but overall felt a bit tropey. The characters were ok but a bit bland and the plot, while moving fast, was somewhat predictable. Still an overall entertaining enough read. Bridge Planet Nine is available to purchase October 21, 2025.
Happy Reading Everyone!
Bridge Planet Nine centers around 4 thieves that take a chance on a huge score: a deserted planet where freighter ships go to refuel with no humans to guide them. Seems like a simple heist, but when the group lands on Bridge Planet Nine, they find the situation is much more complicated, and life-threatening, than they ever imagined. Will they make it out and become rich or will they die to the secrets of Bridge Planet Nine?
This was a decent graphic novel that had some good moments but overall felt a bit tropey. The characters were ok but a bit bland and the plot, while moving fast, was somewhat predictable. Still an overall entertaining enough read. Bridge Planet Nine is available to purchase October 21, 2025.
Happy Reading Everyone!
August 28, 2025
Thank you to IDW Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.25 stars.
A graphic novel following hijackers looking to rob an unmanned freighter ship from an abandoned planet find that the job is not as simple as they first thought.
The artwork was not to my personal tastes, but I found the story very compelling, and I rooted for the characters. Fun but not mind-blowing.
3.25 stars.
A graphic novel following hijackers looking to rob an unmanned freighter ship from an abandoned planet find that the job is not as simple as they first thought.
The artwork was not to my personal tastes, but I found the story very compelling, and I rooted for the characters. Fun but not mind-blowing.
August 31, 2025
2.5⭐️
i wouldn't say this was bad, but it felt like i'd read or seen this a million times before.
on top of it being incredibly predictable, i couldn't stand the characters and the dialogues often felt forced.
i received an advanced reader copy from idw publishing and netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
i wouldn't say this was bad, but it felt like i'd read or seen this a million times before.
on top of it being incredibly predictable, i couldn't stand the characters and the dialogues often felt forced.
i received an advanced reader copy from idw publishing and netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 3, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
Overall this was a basic but solid story. Had all the classics of a sci fi adventure but not really much else. The art style gave this the gritty atmosphere that it needed.
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with this arc 🧡
Overall this was a basic but solid story. Had all the classics of a sci fi adventure but not really much else. The art style gave this the gritty atmosphere that it needed.
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with this arc 🧡
August 15, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for an advance copy of this science fiction graphic novel that is a mix of noir, heist, corporate dystopia, and even body horror, set in a world that looks a lot like ours, even if it takes place on a different world.
While I like to think that the future is going to be Star Trek-like, with people getting along and working together for a better future, I am more resigned to the fact that the future will be like the one in the Alien films. People stuck working awful jobs in spaceships that look like they are falling apart, being used as guinea pigs by a vast corporation that will have them killed, and use their corpses to carry out schemes to make even more money. Science fiction reflects the times in which they are written, and things aren't looking good. Corporations are given more rights than people, especially women, so stealing from a corporation isn't like stealing from a nameless formless entity anymore. It makes it much sweeter. Until things go wrong. And in any good heist story, something always, always go wrong. Bridge Planet Nine is written and illustrated by Jared Throne and tells of a perfect plan that falls apart when a corporations secrets are far bigger, crueler and deadlier than even hardened criminals planned for.
Partna is the corporation of the future, with fingers stretching deep in space. Garrett was once an elite employee, high in the company, enjoying the perks and privileges. Until his boss got to greedy and Garrett took the fall for a money scheme. Garrett does time in prison, his life as he knew it over, but with one goal. To get back at Partna. As an executive, Garrett understands how Partna makes money in deep space. Unmanned freighter are loaded with precious ore, refueled on unmanned planets called Bridge Planets. One just has to be there, steal a shipment and be set for life. Garrett puts together a team, a tech, his sister a pilot, who needs this job to keep her family together, and some muscle. Things go well, until they don't. The planet has people on it. People who are desperate, and scared. Desperate enough to have a plan to get away. And things keep becoming worse.
A heist story that is a mix of a lot of things. Body horror, religious and cult thinking, family strike a little humor, and a story, which doesn't reinvent the wheel, is still pretty good. The characters are fleshed out more than I expected. Little things are dropped that payoff later. There is humor, especially in the drone that is supposed to help hack the unmanned space station, being a drone that monitored parking in an urban setting. There are some jumps, a lot of violence, and a desperate people trying to survive something that has gone really wrong. The art fits the story, black and white with a retro look in some places. The art compliments the story well.
Again not a new story, but a familiar one told well, with really nice art. I enjoyed it, and would like to see what Thorne has planned next.
While I like to think that the future is going to be Star Trek-like, with people getting along and working together for a better future, I am more resigned to the fact that the future will be like the one in the Alien films. People stuck working awful jobs in spaceships that look like they are falling apart, being used as guinea pigs by a vast corporation that will have them killed, and use their corpses to carry out schemes to make even more money. Science fiction reflects the times in which they are written, and things aren't looking good. Corporations are given more rights than people, especially women, so stealing from a corporation isn't like stealing from a nameless formless entity anymore. It makes it much sweeter. Until things go wrong. And in any good heist story, something always, always go wrong. Bridge Planet Nine is written and illustrated by Jared Throne and tells of a perfect plan that falls apart when a corporations secrets are far bigger, crueler and deadlier than even hardened criminals planned for.
Partna is the corporation of the future, with fingers stretching deep in space. Garrett was once an elite employee, high in the company, enjoying the perks and privileges. Until his boss got to greedy and Garrett took the fall for a money scheme. Garrett does time in prison, his life as he knew it over, but with one goal. To get back at Partna. As an executive, Garrett understands how Partna makes money in deep space. Unmanned freighter are loaded with precious ore, refueled on unmanned planets called Bridge Planets. One just has to be there, steal a shipment and be set for life. Garrett puts together a team, a tech, his sister a pilot, who needs this job to keep her family together, and some muscle. Things go well, until they don't. The planet has people on it. People who are desperate, and scared. Desperate enough to have a plan to get away. And things keep becoming worse.
A heist story that is a mix of a lot of things. Body horror, religious and cult thinking, family strike a little humor, and a story, which doesn't reinvent the wheel, is still pretty good. The characters are fleshed out more than I expected. Little things are dropped that payoff later. There is humor, especially in the drone that is supposed to help hack the unmanned space station, being a drone that monitored parking in an urban setting. There are some jumps, a lot of violence, and a desperate people trying to survive something that has gone really wrong. The art fits the story, black and white with a retro look in some places. The art compliments the story well.
Again not a new story, but a familiar one told well, with really nice art. I enjoyed it, and would like to see what Thorne has planned next.
October 14, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy!
Bridge Planet Nine starts off with a completely unexpected, punchy mystery, and the pacing doesn't let up from there. This story follows four different criminals with varying motivations as they get more than they bargained for when attempting to steal an 'easy score' from a deserted planet, making for a fast-paced and intriguing mystery.
Bridge Planet Nine's strongest aspect is its story. Right from the get-go, the idea felt original and fresh to me; the idea of automated cargo haulers using empty planets as stopover and refueling points made a lot of sense, but was something I had never considered before, which I think makes for the best sci-fi ideas! And of course, it only made sense that someone would end up trying their hand at a bit of theft! I just loved the original concept when I read the book's description, and it didn't disappoint in the work itself. Our introduction to the characters nicely established who they all were and their motivations for the mission, while also setting up the stakes, like who they were stealing from, what they stood to gain, and tying them to promises that, if they didn't complete the mission, would land them in hot water, only raising the stakes more and more. And then, of course, when they landed on the planet... everything changed. I really enjoyed the mystery Throne created, and how he layered mystery after mystery over time before finally knocking the whole house of cards over and revealing his hand.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this graphic novel was seeing how the very start, which threw me for a loop when I first saw it, was actually so connected to the story and to the very idea of the bridge planets. It was deeply satisfying in the best way to realise that Throne had come up with a cool idea (the bridge planets) and then thought through all the implications of that idea, and built his entire story and its plot twists on those implications. I had several "oh...OH" moments while reading Bridge Planet Nine, because everything built on everything else to a conclusion that made perfect sense and felt earned for each character. No Chekhov's guns were left smoking on the table here!
I didn't 100% love the art style - it looked a little unfinished or childishly simple at times - but it was easy to follow what was going on at all times, which is not always easy to achieve in grayscale. I thought that all our main characters and main villain looked nicely unique and distinguishable, each having their own distinct look. I will say that I didn't find the building and vehicle designs to be very interesting or unique, though I did really enjoy the landscape/wide-angle shots of Bridge Planet Nine's ruined cities standing out against the sky.
Overall, I loved the inventiveness of Throne's idea, the pacing of the story, and the characterisation of each of his leads. Bridge Planet Nine is an engaging, fun, and thoroughly intriguing read.
Bridge Planet Nine starts off with a completely unexpected, punchy mystery, and the pacing doesn't let up from there. This story follows four different criminals with varying motivations as they get more than they bargained for when attempting to steal an 'easy score' from a deserted planet, making for a fast-paced and intriguing mystery.
Bridge Planet Nine's strongest aspect is its story. Right from the get-go, the idea felt original and fresh to me; the idea of automated cargo haulers using empty planets as stopover and refueling points made a lot of sense, but was something I had never considered before, which I think makes for the best sci-fi ideas! And of course, it only made sense that someone would end up trying their hand at a bit of theft! I just loved the original concept when I read the book's description, and it didn't disappoint in the work itself. Our introduction to the characters nicely established who they all were and their motivations for the mission, while also setting up the stakes, like who they were stealing from, what they stood to gain, and tying them to promises that, if they didn't complete the mission, would land them in hot water, only raising the stakes more and more. And then, of course, when they landed on the planet... everything changed. I really enjoyed the mystery Throne created, and how he layered mystery after mystery over time before finally knocking the whole house of cards over and revealing his hand.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this graphic novel was seeing how the very start, which threw me for a loop when I first saw it, was actually so connected to the story and to the very idea of the bridge planets. It was deeply satisfying in the best way to realise that Throne had come up with a cool idea (the bridge planets) and then thought through all the implications of that idea, and built his entire story and its plot twists on those implications. I had several "oh...OH" moments while reading Bridge Planet Nine, because everything built on everything else to a conclusion that made perfect sense and felt earned for each character. No Chekhov's guns were left smoking on the table here!
I didn't 100% love the art style - it looked a little unfinished or childishly simple at times - but it was easy to follow what was going on at all times, which is not always easy to achieve in grayscale. I thought that all our main characters and main villain looked nicely unique and distinguishable, each having their own distinct look. I will say that I didn't find the building and vehicle designs to be very interesting or unique, though I did really enjoy the landscape/wide-angle shots of Bridge Planet Nine's ruined cities standing out against the sky.
Overall, I loved the inventiveness of Throne's idea, the pacing of the story, and the characterisation of each of his leads. Bridge Planet Nine is an engaging, fun, and thoroughly intriguing read.
October 30, 2025
Dans un futur plus ou moins lointain, un groupe s'assemble pour faire le casse du siècle et pouvoir recommencer une nouvelle vie. En allant sur Bridge Planet Nine, une planète censée être déserte (eh non !), ils veulent voler des ressources sans que personne ne puisse les contrôler. Rien ne se passe comme prévu et très vite ils se rendent compte qu'ils vont devoir lutter pour leur survie et peut-être résoudre la crise qui traverse la planète.
Les dessins sont très simples, en noir et blanc et sans jeu d'ombre comme dans un Sin City. Certaines mèches de cheveux ont l'air d'avoir été dessinées en 2 secondes avec des brushs Photoshop basiques, ça fait un peu amateur...
Pour le scénario, l'histoire est attendue, certains personnages ont un petit développement mais tout passe très vite donc il est difficile de s'attacher à eux. L'histoire est quand même originale pour une histoire de braquage et même si elle reste attendue, ça n'est pas mauvais non plus.
Une lecture sympathique mais autant graphiquement que scénaristiquement, je suis resté sur ma faim malheureusement.
Merci à IDW et à Netgalley pour la mise à disposition d'une version numérique !
__
In the not-too-distant future, a group gets together to pull off the heist of the century and start a new life. By going to Bridge Planet Nine, a planet that's supposed to be deserted (nope!), they want to steal resources without anyone being able to control them. Nothing goes as planned, and they quickly realize that they're going to have to fight for their survival and maybe even solve the crisis that's sweeping the planet.
The drawings are very simple, in black and white and without any shading as it is in Sin City for example. Some characters strands of hair look like they were drawn in two seconds with basic Photoshop brushes, which makes it look a bit amateurish...
As for the plot, the story is predictable, some characters are developed a little, but everything happens so quickly that it's difficult to get attached to them. The story is still original for a heist story, and even if it is predictable, it's not bad either.
It's an enjoyable read, but unfortunately, I was left wanting more in terms of both graphics and storyline.
Thanks to IDW and Netgalley for providing a digital version!
Les dessins sont très simples, en noir et blanc et sans jeu d'ombre comme dans un Sin City. Certaines mèches de cheveux ont l'air d'avoir été dessinées en 2 secondes avec des brushs Photoshop basiques, ça fait un peu amateur...
Pour le scénario, l'histoire est attendue, certains personnages ont un petit développement mais tout passe très vite donc il est difficile de s'attacher à eux. L'histoire est quand même originale pour une histoire de braquage et même si elle reste attendue, ça n'est pas mauvais non plus.
Une lecture sympathique mais autant graphiquement que scénaristiquement, je suis resté sur ma faim malheureusement.
Merci à IDW et à Netgalley pour la mise à disposition d'une version numérique !
__
In the not-too-distant future, a group gets together to pull off the heist of the century and start a new life. By going to Bridge Planet Nine, a planet that's supposed to be deserted (nope!), they want to steal resources without anyone being able to control them. Nothing goes as planned, and they quickly realize that they're going to have to fight for their survival and maybe even solve the crisis that's sweeping the planet.
The drawings are very simple, in black and white and without any shading as it is in Sin City for example. Some characters strands of hair look like they were drawn in two seconds with basic Photoshop brushes, which makes it look a bit amateurish...
As for the plot, the story is predictable, some characters are developed a little, but everything happens so quickly that it's difficult to get attached to them. The story is still original for a heist story, and even if it is predictable, it's not bad either.
It's an enjoyable read, but unfortunately, I was left wanting more in terms of both graphics and storyline.
Thanks to IDW and Netgalley for providing a digital version!
October 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy.
Spoiler-free review.
At its core, Bridge Planet Nine is about corporate greed forcing people to turn against each other, though neither faction really wants bloodshed. Action. Capitalism. Faraway planets. It had the makings of a deep and gritty dystopia. But did it fall through?
The new sci-fi comic from Jared Throne follows Pearl—a pilot and reluctant thief—and her motley crew attempting to rob an old freighter on a deserted planet. The planet, of course, is not really deserted. With one of their own is kidnapped and the mission goes sideways, the crew is forced to unravel the dark history behind the planet’s deadly air—and the people surviving despite it.
The story and twists are engaging, and the worldbuilding is a realistic glimpse into a possible future, but the characters fall flat. While reading, I understood their motivations and hesitance for violence, but their reactions sometimes had me scratching my head. Without giving too many spoilers, I’ll say that when one of the crew members dies, everyone reacts with almost…indifference. What little emotion is displayed is quickly moved on from. This could have been a good way to ground readers in the high-stakes world of hesits and the threats that come with it—is a death like this normal? Did they have plans in case this happened? But instead, it feels rushed and almost forgotten.
The entire comic, really, feels rushed. I wish readers got to sit with these characters and this world more. That way, I’d better understand their emotions and decision-making. I knew just enough to get by, but I feel like we only scratched the surface of this story. There are opportunities for depth and heart that are quickly skipped over.
The art style is charming, but the characters feel rigid during the action sequences, which took some tension out of the scenes for me. Otherwise, I liked the character designs and thought the art style conveyed the right tone and mood for the story. The black and white colors, the clothing, and the scenery all felt right to me.
Overall, I recommend Bridge Planet Nine to anyone who wants to enjoy a quick sci-fi read.
Spoiler-free review.
At its core, Bridge Planet Nine is about corporate greed forcing people to turn against each other, though neither faction really wants bloodshed. Action. Capitalism. Faraway planets. It had the makings of a deep and gritty dystopia. But did it fall through?
The new sci-fi comic from Jared Throne follows Pearl—a pilot and reluctant thief—and her motley crew attempting to rob an old freighter on a deserted planet. The planet, of course, is not really deserted. With one of their own is kidnapped and the mission goes sideways, the crew is forced to unravel the dark history behind the planet’s deadly air—and the people surviving despite it.
The story and twists are engaging, and the worldbuilding is a realistic glimpse into a possible future, but the characters fall flat. While reading, I understood their motivations and hesitance for violence, but their reactions sometimes had me scratching my head. Without giving too many spoilers, I’ll say that when one of the crew members dies, everyone reacts with almost…indifference. What little emotion is displayed is quickly moved on from. This could have been a good way to ground readers in the high-stakes world of hesits and the threats that come with it—is a death like this normal? Did they have plans in case this happened? But instead, it feels rushed and almost forgotten.
The entire comic, really, feels rushed. I wish readers got to sit with these characters and this world more. That way, I’d better understand their emotions and decision-making. I knew just enough to get by, but I feel like we only scratched the surface of this story. There are opportunities for depth and heart that are quickly skipped over.
The art style is charming, but the characters feel rigid during the action sequences, which took some tension out of the scenes for me. Otherwise, I liked the character designs and thought the art style conveyed the right tone and mood for the story. The black and white colors, the clothing, and the scenery all felt right to me.
Overall, I recommend Bridge Planet Nine to anyone who wants to enjoy a quick sci-fi read.
August 28, 2025
There is an undeniable mood in Bridge Planet Nine. The artwork, sketched in sparse ink and shadow, captures the bleak emptiness of its setting: a decaying planet abandoned after the vagaries of war except for unmanned freighters. That visual restraint conveys isolation well, its rough edges giving the graphic novel a gritty charm, but it rarely blossoms into the kind of bold, dramatic imagery that might have elevated the story into something unforgettable.
The premise itself is instantly intriguing - a crew of thieves chasing one last score amid the ruins of a collapsing world with a dark secret. The pacing is brisk, the tension taut, carrying the reader swiftly through the beats of betrayal and consequence. Yet the narrative unfolds with a familiarity that dulls its sharper edges; the inevitable twist arrives as expected and worse, every obstacle seems to melt away with little resistance. Even in moments when lives hang in the balance or time ticks dangerously short, solutions fall too easily into place. The result is a story that moves quickly but without the true pressure or peril that might have made its victories satisfying.
Where the book most falters is in its people. The characters feel like shadows of themselves, most with no development or backstory, and their lack of depth leaves the tale strangely hollow. Scenes that ought to cut deep with shock or devastation drift past with little weight, the emotional resonance lost before it has a chance to settle.
For all that, the graphic novel is not without merit. It entertains in its momentum, it gestures at atmosphere, and in fleeting moments its stark aesthetic lingers. But in the end it feels like the skeleton of something greater - an echo of a story that never quite claims its full voice.
Thank you Top Shelf Productions for the ARC.
The premise itself is instantly intriguing - a crew of thieves chasing one last score amid the ruins of a collapsing world with a dark secret. The pacing is brisk, the tension taut, carrying the reader swiftly through the beats of betrayal and consequence. Yet the narrative unfolds with a familiarity that dulls its sharper edges; the inevitable twist arrives as expected and worse, every obstacle seems to melt away with little resistance. Even in moments when lives hang in the balance or time ticks dangerously short, solutions fall too easily into place. The result is a story that moves quickly but without the true pressure or peril that might have made its victories satisfying.
Where the book most falters is in its people. The characters feel like shadows of themselves, most with no development or backstory, and their lack of depth leaves the tale strangely hollow. Scenes that ought to cut deep with shock or devastation drift past with little weight, the emotional resonance lost before it has a chance to settle.
For all that, the graphic novel is not without merit. It entertains in its momentum, it gestures at atmosphere, and in fleeting moments its stark aesthetic lingers. But in the end it feels like the skeleton of something greater - an echo of a story that never quite claims its full voice.
Thank you Top Shelf Productions for the ARC.
October 3, 2025
A ragtag group of desperate criminals, each with their own secrets and skills, come together for one heist, a score that should be easy and set them up for life. What could possibly go wrong? As anyone who has read a heist novel or seen a heist movie can tell you, plenty.
In the graphic novel “Bridge Planet Nine”, Jared Throne takes this trope out into space sometime in the future. The Partna corporation runs so-called “bridge planets”, uninhabited planets that can be used as refueling stations for their massive interplanetary freighters and cargo ships, unmanned fuel stations that bleed the planet dry. Our crew of four consists of the pilot (who wants to get her kid back), the brother, the ex-Partna VP looking for revenge, and a thief, plus a modified parking robot (we need some humor after all).
So they borrow a ship and off they go for the easy score. But there are a few surprises waiting for them. For one, their ship gets torched. And Wes, the pilot’s brother, has disappeared. When they go out looking for Wes, the crew finds out that maybe the planet isn’t as uninhabited as promised…
All of the familiar aspects of heist novels and dystopian sci-fi are mashed together here: evil corporations, abandoned places that really aren’t abandoned, unknown technology being confused with religion/magic, and the best laid plans going horribly wrong. Jared Throne does a good job taking us through a plot where we kinda know what’s going to happen, but he still makes it interesting. The angular black and white drawings add to the dark and gloomy mood. Not earth-shattering, but also not a bad way to pass some time.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from IDW Publishing, Top Shelf Productions via NetGalley. Thank you!
In the graphic novel “Bridge Planet Nine”, Jared Throne takes this trope out into space sometime in the future. The Partna corporation runs so-called “bridge planets”, uninhabited planets that can be used as refueling stations for their massive interplanetary freighters and cargo ships, unmanned fuel stations that bleed the planet dry. Our crew of four consists of the pilot (who wants to get her kid back), the brother, the ex-Partna VP looking for revenge, and a thief, plus a modified parking robot (we need some humor after all).
So they borrow a ship and off they go for the easy score. But there are a few surprises waiting for them. For one, their ship gets torched. And Wes, the pilot’s brother, has disappeared. When they go out looking for Wes, the crew finds out that maybe the planet isn’t as uninhabited as promised…
All of the familiar aspects of heist novels and dystopian sci-fi are mashed together here: evil corporations, abandoned places that really aren’t abandoned, unknown technology being confused with religion/magic, and the best laid plans going horribly wrong. Jared Throne does a good job taking us through a plot where we kinda know what’s going to happen, but he still makes it interesting. The angular black and white drawings add to the dark and gloomy mood. Not earth-shattering, but also not a bad way to pass some time.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from IDW Publishing, Top Shelf Productions via NetGalley. Thank you!
August 4, 2025
🌷 Thank you to Netgalley and IDW Publishing for the ARC.
This checked a lot of cases I usually like: sci-fi, creepy, somewhat anticipation (can we just not see this happening in the next century? I totally can), alien-ish vibes.
In Bridge Planet Nine, a rag-tag bunch of society outcasts band together to get a ship and land on a deserted planet to steal a refueling freighter's cargo. They soon find out that the planet is inhabited by survivors after a mass bombing happened years ago, and that there is something very deadly in the air.
I liked the story of this graphic novel. I found the pace good and steady, and the characters and their motivation realistic. This graphic novel is a stand-alone so there's always a limit to what you can throw in the story, and how nuanced your characters can be. This would be a good start for a mini-series in this universe!
The ending could be considered sappy/too easy, possibly, but I love these so I'm not complaining! In this day and age, good actions leading to good outcomes is definitely a morale we need more of, and in the anti-capitalistic context of this graphic novel, it makes perfect sense.
The art style fits the story well. It's sketchy and black and white only, but it adds a gritty and rough charm to the story.
This was a nice read and will definitely appeal to the dark sci-fi enthusiasts out there!
This checked a lot of cases I usually like: sci-fi, creepy, somewhat anticipation (can we just not see this happening in the next century? I totally can), alien-ish vibes.
In Bridge Planet Nine, a rag-tag bunch of society outcasts band together to get a ship and land on a deserted planet to steal a refueling freighter's cargo. They soon find out that the planet is inhabited by survivors after a mass bombing happened years ago, and that there is something very deadly in the air.
I liked the story of this graphic novel. I found the pace good and steady, and the characters and their motivation realistic. This graphic novel is a stand-alone so there's always a limit to what you can throw in the story, and how nuanced your characters can be. This would be a good start for a mini-series in this universe!
The ending could be considered sappy/too easy, possibly, but I love these so I'm not complaining! In this day and age, good actions leading to good outcomes is definitely a morale we need more of, and in the anti-capitalistic context of this graphic novel, it makes perfect sense.
The art style fits the story well. It's sketchy and black and white only, but it adds a gritty and rough charm to the story.
This was a nice read and will definitely appeal to the dark sci-fi enthusiasts out there!
October 16, 2025
2.5
The synopsis really caught my attention, and since I was in a sci-fi mood, I decided to give it a shot, and honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. It has action, some interesting tense moments, and a discovery that’s actually pretty interesting for the story, even though I kinda wish it had been explained a bit better.
The characters also have some interesting aspects, though I felt a few of them were kinda flat. For example, one of the main characters suddenly showing this "savior complex", I get it, but it felt a bit strange. I think it needed a little more buildup to really make that moment or realization to hit harder. And when it came to the really tense scenes, it was more like… okay? and?
The ending, though, I did kinda like it, but it also felt way too convenient, like everything just worked out because the story needed it to lol. Still, it wasn’t bad, it gave some closure, even if it left me wanting a bit more tension or consequence (I mean, everything worked too well).
Oh, and one more thing that kind of affected my reading experience was the text in the dialogue bubbles, because they looked blurry/grainy, which gave me a tiny nervous tick and made it kinda hard to read. I get that it’s an e-ARC (And that's why I don't even complain about the big watermark in the middle), but still, the quality of the file was a bit off this time.
The synopsis really caught my attention, and since I was in a sci-fi mood, I decided to give it a shot, and honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. It has action, some interesting tense moments, and a discovery that’s actually pretty interesting for the story, even though I kinda wish it had been explained a bit better.
The characters also have some interesting aspects, though I felt a few of them were kinda flat. For example, one of the main characters suddenly showing this "savior complex", I get it, but it felt a bit strange. I think it needed a little more buildup to really make that moment or realization to hit harder. And when it came to the really tense scenes, it was more like… okay? and?
The ending, though, I did kinda like it, but it also felt way too convenient, like everything just worked out because the story needed it to lol. Still, it wasn’t bad, it gave some closure, even if it left me wanting a bit more tension or consequence (I mean, everything worked too well).
Oh, and one more thing that kind of affected my reading experience was the text in the dialogue bubbles, because they looked blurry/grainy, which gave me a tiny nervous tick and made it kinda hard to read. I get that it’s an e-ARC (And that's why I don't even complain about the big watermark in the middle), but still, the quality of the file was a bit off this time.
September 14, 2025
i think the main advantage of this story is its art style, something about it really suited the plot well. the action sequences felt alive and i found it really easy to feel the atmosphere of the planet the characters were on.
the plot itself is fine, easy to get into and follow, but not extraordinary in any way. there were a few plot twists, but none of them felt especially unpredictable. i wasn’t bored while reading, but also didn’t really have a problem putting the book down.
the thing that was missing was character creation. they all felt a bit flat, a bit bland. pearl specifically felt like someone i was meant to root for, but i just didn’t care all that much. i had trouble understanding her motivations for certain decisions and following her train of thought. and she was the most fleshed out one. yeah, i understood her main driver for joining the mission, but as she started making big decisions while on the planet, i was mostly just confused. others, i know even less about.
overall, fans of character driven stories will definitely be disappointed, but those rather looking for action and a well drawn graphic novel might enjoy this one.
the plot itself is fine, easy to get into and follow, but not extraordinary in any way. there were a few plot twists, but none of them felt especially unpredictable. i wasn’t bored while reading, but also didn’t really have a problem putting the book down.
the thing that was missing was character creation. they all felt a bit flat, a bit bland. pearl specifically felt like someone i was meant to root for, but i just didn’t care all that much. i had trouble understanding her motivations for certain decisions and following her train of thought. and she was the most fleshed out one. yeah, i understood her main driver for joining the mission, but as she started making big decisions while on the planet, i was mostly just confused. others, i know even less about.
overall, fans of character driven stories will definitely be disappointed, but those rather looking for action and a well drawn graphic novel might enjoy this one.
September 7, 2025
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
Bridge Planet Nine definitely delivers on what is promised from the description. The author does a great job of creating the world in which this takes place without having to take a lot of time explaining things. Some of the background for the characters is a little vague, but I feel like that works in its favor because it makes everyone a little more mysterious. You go in thinking you know who the protagonist is going to be, only for that to shift once they are on the planet. I would happily read more stories from this world and with these characters. The only aspect I did not fully like was that all the illustrations were in a black-and-white design - a little color here and there would have made it more dynamic and less monotonous (luckily the story was interesting enough that I never lost interest in what was going on). The dialogue is well done and fits with the characters and overall feel of the novel. This may not be for everyone, but I really liked it.
Bridge Planet Nine definitely delivers on what is promised from the description. The author does a great job of creating the world in which this takes place without having to take a lot of time explaining things. Some of the background for the characters is a little vague, but I feel like that works in its favor because it makes everyone a little more mysterious. You go in thinking you know who the protagonist is going to be, only for that to shift once they are on the planet. I would happily read more stories from this world and with these characters. The only aspect I did not fully like was that all the illustrations were in a black-and-white design - a little color here and there would have made it more dynamic and less monotonous (luckily the story was interesting enough that I never lost interest in what was going on). The dialogue is well done and fits with the characters and overall feel of the novel. This may not be for everyone, but I really liked it.
August 17, 2025
It was supposed to be a quick job. In and out. A quick heist to steal pillaged resources from an empty planet. Except the planet isn't empty, the resources aren't easily accessible, and the air is toxic.
Bridge Planet Nine is a perfectly paced comic book, with a compelling story and well-written characters. Jared Throne did an excellent job of making you connect to this band of thieves, especially Wes and Pearl. It makes the stakes feel higher and the ending even more satisfying.
The artwork perfectly portrays how dark and gritty this planet is. I want to give particular props to how all the characters are easily identifying and distinguishable, even when they are all wearing masks.
I definitely recommend this as a read for anyone who likes sci-fi and mild dystopias. Oh, and Etta is MVP.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jared Throne, and IDW Publishing for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
Bridge Planet Nine is a perfectly paced comic book, with a compelling story and well-written characters. Jared Throne did an excellent job of making you connect to this band of thieves, especially Wes and Pearl. It makes the stakes feel higher and the ending even more satisfying.
The artwork perfectly portrays how dark and gritty this planet is. I want to give particular props to how all the characters are easily identifying and distinguishable, even when they are all wearing masks.
I definitely recommend this as a read for anyone who likes sci-fi and mild dystopias. Oh, and Etta is MVP.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jared Throne, and IDW Publishing for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
July 27, 2025
3.5
It's their last heist, and their last shot at getting out of "the life". But after they land on a supposedly dead planet, everything goes wrong. This story was interesting in it's primary concept, but some of the story elements felt a tad bland to me. I was having a "You've read one heist story, you've read them all" moment during this story. It was interesting how the planet is not what it seemed at all, and unraveling the mystery of why it's "dead". But it was also a bit obvious. The art style is very simple and sketchy, but it honestly works well for the tone of the story. The characters leaned a bit towards flat tropes but managed to be just okay written enough to be lovable. Nothing to write home about, but a decent read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
It's their last heist, and their last shot at getting out of "the life". But after they land on a supposedly dead planet, everything goes wrong. This story was interesting in it's primary concept, but some of the story elements felt a tad bland to me. I was having a "You've read one heist story, you've read them all" moment during this story. It was interesting how the planet is not what it seemed at all, and unraveling the mystery of why it's "dead". But it was also a bit obvious. The art style is very simple and sketchy, but it honestly works well for the tone of the story. The characters leaned a bit towards flat tropes but managed to be just okay written enough to be lovable. Nothing to write home about, but a decent read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
October 8, 2025
Sci-Fi graphic novel with a classic feel and polished full-circle storyline from first-time creator.
This is a one-shot that you will read quickly and that will satisfy your dystopian want.
One-shots are hard because they can't go as in depth as most readers want and have to stay pretty surface-level while remaining engaging. The artist did really well with that one.
No big surprises, the story is not a new one, but a gritty tone highlighted by nice gritty thick-lined graphics totally adapted to it.
Looking forward to see where the artist goes next and how he grows into his craft.
It's a 3.5 rounded up for me as this is a first work and I've read many one-shots by much more seasoned artists falling very flat. This story does not let any threads hanging, which I appreciate.
This is a one-shot that you will read quickly and that will satisfy your dystopian want.
One-shots are hard because they can't go as in depth as most readers want and have to stay pretty surface-level while remaining engaging. The artist did really well with that one.
No big surprises, the story is not a new one, but a gritty tone highlighted by nice gritty thick-lined graphics totally adapted to it.
Looking forward to see where the artist goes next and how he grows into his craft.
It's a 3.5 rounded up for me as this is a first work and I've read many one-shots by much more seasoned artists falling very flat. This story does not let any threads hanging, which I appreciate.
August 15, 2025
What happens when you unwillingly take the fall for a CEO's embezzlement? You spend a few years in prison and get a crew together for a heist. This sci-fi graphic novel has a gritty, black and white art style that reminded me of film noir, particularly with all the shadows and secret meetings and smoke breaks. I felt that the noir vibe clashed with the sci-fi elements occasionally, with some scenes appearing too mundane because of it. The "no parking, no parking" panel had me laughing and I liked the ending. It was a solid read. I also want to give a shout out to the cover -- very striking.
ARC from NetGalley.
ARC from NetGalley.
August 24, 2025
Works for what it is, but, nah, characterization and story are at bare minimums each. Artwork was clean and precise, but can’t help but wonder if this would have benefited from color or more dynamic splash pages. I get that this was the creator’s baby, so I’m hesitant to dump it off next to the trash, but I can’t exactly praise anything this unoriginal or unchallenging. Comics like these are a dime a dozen.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free electronic copy in advance of publication date, I’m able to provide a fair if unblushing review of another artist’s hard work.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free electronic copy in advance of publication date, I’m able to provide a fair if unblushing review of another artist’s hard work.
September 3, 2025
Bridge Planet Nine is a space heist gone wrong graphic novel that has a pretty intriguing plot. While I enjoyed the story, the characters were rather 2 dimensional and I didn't really feel like I knew any of these characters or that I was particularly attached to any of them. I do think this could be an excellent series if Throne decided to expand on the initial story.
BPN is a decent, quick read if you're looking for a quick scifi graphic novel.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for this arc!
BPN is a decent, quick read if you're looking for a quick scifi graphic novel.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for this arc!
September 4, 2025
I received a copy of this graphic novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's a nice read, not particularly original but enjoyable nonetheless.
The initial introduction to the characters and their journey to Bridge Planet Nine seemed a little excessive to me, as did the long dialogues between the two brothers before and during the journey: I think it took away from the main part of the narrative concerning the events that take place on the planet.
The artwork are pleasant and seemed very suitable for the type of story presented.
It's a nice read, not particularly original but enjoyable nonetheless.
The initial introduction to the characters and their journey to Bridge Planet Nine seemed a little excessive to me, as did the long dialogues between the two brothers before and during the journey: I think it took away from the main part of the narrative concerning the events that take place on the planet.
The artwork are pleasant and seemed very suitable for the type of story presented.
October 10, 2025
"Bridge Planet Nine" starts out with an interesting premise but never manages to develop and into an engaging or convincing tale. The story is fairly predictable and most experienced science fiction fans will find very little that is innovative or surprising. Additionally, the artwork, although, dark, foreboding and edgy often makes the story, what there is of it, even harder to comprehend.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, IDW Publishing, for providing me with an eARK in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, IDW Publishing, for providing me with an eARK in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 11, 2025
Garrett was the VP of Partna, but their CFO was caught embezzling. Garrett lost everything: he went to prison for three years, lost his fortune and his family. To exact his revenge on the company, he plans a heist. Garrett enlists some rather unorthodox company to join. each having their own reasons for wanting a piece of this prospective pie.
Lesson Reinforced: Corporations are pretty malevolent.
#ThxNetGalley #JaredThrone #BridgePlanetNine
Lesson Reinforced: Corporations are pretty malevolent.
#ThxNetGalley #JaredThrone #BridgePlanetNine
September 29, 2025
A faceless mega-company is the target of a heist on an uninhabited planet, but the heist goes horribly wrong.
It's a solid story with good pacing, but nothing about it is groundbreakingly new. It does, however, highlight the unscrupulousness of a corporate-dominated star system in the most horrible way imaginable. The drawing style adds perfect grittiness to the story.
3.5 stars.
Thanks to netgalley and IDW Publishing for the ARC.
It's a solid story with good pacing, but nothing about it is groundbreakingly new. It does, however, highlight the unscrupulousness of a corporate-dominated star system in the most horrible way imaginable. The drawing style adds perfect grittiness to the story.
3.5 stars.
Thanks to netgalley and IDW Publishing for the ARC.
September 29, 2025
Bridge Planet Nine did well with tension and paranoia, and has some unique aspects to the planet that made the story really interesting. The art is amazing, making everything feel lived in and a bit rough. It perfectly conveyed the roughness of the people, situation and surroundings.
Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2025
So that's it? The story is such a bore and the artwork is terrible. Same generic story. The book doesn't resonate anything in me. I wasted my time finishing this forgettable comic.
I thank IDW Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
I thank IDW Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
August 22, 2025
I received this DRC from NetGalley.
I thought the story was interesting enough, especially with the reveal about the survivors' situation. It would've been nice to get to know the characters a bit more, especially the former company employee. He just felt too one- dimensional.
I thought the story was interesting enough, especially with the reveal about the survivors' situation. It would've been nice to get to know the characters a bit more, especially the former company employee. He just felt too one- dimensional.
September 22, 2025
The pacing of this book was phenomenal. Not an inch of the page was wasted and not a word was useless. What I liked most about this book is how the quiet parts built up in a way that made the action all the more satisfying.
December 15, 2025
The synopsis of this graphic novel made it seem like it would be more thrilling than it actually was. Was it about an intergalactic heist? Yes. Was it gritty? eh. Was there tense pacing and suspense? nope. It was pretty basic.
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