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Planetary - single issues #1
Planetary #1: Archaeologists of The Impossible
Jakita Wagner recruits a mysterious 100-year-old man named Elijah Snow to join the Planetary group--archaeologists of the unknown. Their first mission: locate the mysterious Doc Brass!
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1999
48 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,910 books5,766 followersWarren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 23, 2024
This series has been on my to read list for such a long time! Getting a real Justice League meets The X-Files vibe from this first issue. Jakita Wagner and The Drummer add Elijah Snow to Planetary ('archaeologist of the impossible') as they look for 'Doc Brass' (Doc Savage). What they find will change history - or what we collectively 'thought' was history. Looks like a fun ride!
November 26, 2018
This looks promising. I think I'm going to pick up the first volume.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
May 30, 2018
Caught this free on Comixology. I like it. How I let this slip by in 2010 I do not know. I will look into this series some more. Probably buy them in Volumes instead of individual issues. Elements of Doc Savage, Justice Society and so on.
May 23, 2020
Warren Ellis is a master when it comes to creating amazing premises that have been primed for serialized storytelling. Super powered Archaeologists? A Multiverse? Sign me up. I don't even care if it's good. It has the potential and that's enough for me.
Thank god it actually is good, then. Oh so good.
Banter isn't up to the same levels as Transmetropolitan. But I'm reserved to believing few comics will ever be written as well as Transmetropolitan.
Thank god it actually is good, then. Oh so good.
Banter isn't up to the same levels as Transmetropolitan. But I'm reserved to believing few comics will ever be written as well as Transmetropolitan.
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January 16, 2023Planetary #1
As I was reading it It seemed like the story was getting away with not being able to close on what you needed to know and what was a mystery. It cleared itself up by having a weird narration being told by a victim of time. After that you got it but it still seemed quite pedestrian at best.
As I was reading it It seemed like the story was getting away with not being able to close on what you needed to know and what was a mystery. It cleared itself up by having a weird narration being told by a victim of time. After that you got it but it still seemed quite pedestrian at best.
February 26, 2023
The beginning
Ellis an Cassaday's Magnum Opus begins with an ode to Golden Age Heroes and the multiverse of comics. A self contained case with an easy to follow script that make everyone in the book look good.
Ellis an Cassaday's Magnum Opus begins with an ode to Golden Age Heroes and the multiverse of comics. A self contained case with an easy to follow script that make everyone in the book look good.
October 22, 2020
PLANETARY #1 – Archaeologists of the Impossible. All Over the World
“Coffee tastes like your dog took a leak in it.”
Unconventional start to an original tale that has depth to its backstory.
“Coffee tastes like your dog took a leak in it.”
Unconventional start to an original tale that has depth to its backstory.
August 14, 2025
Wonderful story
I read the whole of planetary in one sitting and it usually takes me longer to finish a comic. Was impressed with the story telling. It was interesting indeed.
I read the whole of planetary in one sitting and it usually takes me longer to finish a comic. Was impressed with the story telling. It was interesting indeed.
December 20, 2025
A phenomenal start.
I've been wanting to read this for quite a while, so since this was free, I decided to read the first issue.. I will definitely be reading more!
I've been wanting to read this for quite a while, so since this was free, I decided to read the first issue.. I will definitely be reading more!
September 26, 2015
Ellis is a master
Niiice Ellis never disappoints.. quantum brain... my only complaint besides weird leotards on characters is the drummer character the purple and green guy didn't really need to be in this issue.
Niiice Ellis never disappoints.. quantum brain... my only complaint besides weird leotards on characters is the drummer character the purple and green guy didn't really need to be in this issue.
December 27, 2015
One of the best comic series EVER
You can't go wrong with Planetary; it is one of the best modern comic book series. This first issue lays a lot of groundwork, though that may not be obvious until you start reading the rest of the stories...and you definitely should.
You can't go wrong with Planetary; it is one of the best modern comic book series. This first issue lays a lot of groundwork, though that may not be obvious until you start reading the rest of the stories...and you definitely should.
January 15, 2016
Good so far
Not a bad opening story. Need more explaining on stories but give it time. Heroes have unique powers as well.
Not a bad opening story. Need more explaining on stories but give it time. Heroes have unique powers as well.
April 11, 2017
'All Over the World' is an interesting but sometimes confusing opening story for 'Planetary'. I'm looking forward to reading this acclaimed series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews