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Plutona #1-5
Plutona
Five suburban kids make a shocking discovery while exploring the woods one day after school... the body of the world's greatest superhero, Plutona, laying dead among the mud and grass. This discovery sends them on a journey that will threaten to tear apart their friendship and their lives.
A dark and heartbreaking coming-of-age tale exploring friendship and loss from master storyteller Jeff Lemire (Descender, Sweet Tooth) and critically-acclaimed artist Emi Lenox (EmiTown).
A dark and heartbreaking coming-of-age tale exploring friendship and loss from master storyteller Jeff Lemire (Descender, Sweet Tooth) and critically-acclaimed artist Emi Lenox (EmiTown).
152 pages, Paperback
First published July 26, 2016
20 people are currently reading
1552 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lemire
1,393 books3,873 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews
July 6, 2016
With Plutona, Jeff Lemire and Emi Lenox basically took Stephen King’s The Body and tweaked it slightly to make the dead body a superhero - and that’s it really! That said, while unoriginal, it’s not a terrible read.
Plutona’s not a plot-driven book but rather a character piece. The focus is on the small group of kids and their relationships with one another: Mie and her little brother Mike; Diane, Mie’s friend; Ray, the rebel kid whose alcoholic dad smacks him around; and Teddy, the quiet loner obsessed with superheroes.
Lemire writes the characters well and it’s interesting seeing friendships weaken, new ones form, and the dynamics of the group evolve as their shared secret of the dead superhero in the woods slowly changes their lives. Plutona is the MacGuffin in that it’s all about her and yet it’s not - this is really a story about growing up and friendship.
But there is a little story featuring Plutona included about how she came to be in the woods which Lemire also illustrates. The mystery is compelling until the anticlimactic end.
And, unfortunately, anticlimactic is the word with Plutona. Sure, it’s a decent episodic snapshot of these characters’ lives but once you’ve finished you’re left wondering what the point was meant to be - assuming there was one. Plutona is a mildly entertaining but derivative and forgettable addition to the superhero genre.
Plutona’s not a plot-driven book but rather a character piece. The focus is on the small group of kids and their relationships with one another: Mie and her little brother Mike; Diane, Mie’s friend; Ray, the rebel kid whose alcoholic dad smacks him around; and Teddy, the quiet loner obsessed with superheroes.
Lemire writes the characters well and it’s interesting seeing friendships weaken, new ones form, and the dynamics of the group evolve as their shared secret of the dead superhero in the woods slowly changes their lives. Plutona is the MacGuffin in that it’s all about her and yet it’s not - this is really a story about growing up and friendship.
But there is a little story featuring Plutona included about how she came to be in the woods which Lemire also illustrates. The mystery is compelling until the anticlimactic end.
And, unfortunately, anticlimactic is the word with Plutona. Sure, it’s a decent episodic snapshot of these characters’ lives but once you’ve finished you’re left wondering what the point was meant to be - assuming there was one. Plutona is a mildly entertaining but derivative and forgettable addition to the superhero genre.
December 21, 2016
Like Kurt Busiek’s Astro City, Jeff Lemire’s Plutona looks at superheroes through the eyes of regular folks, people like you and me. In the case of Plutona, those regular folks are teenagers and children. The story as a whole appears to be targeted at a young adult audience, slightly younger than that of the similarly-themed 2012 movie Chronicle.
As you would expect from a Lemire title, the characters feel real and complex, and the story generally avoids cheap young-adult formulas and cheesy moral lessons. On the downside, I felt things could have been wrapped up in more satisfying fashion, and the artwork by Emi Lenox looked a bit rushed and basic to my eyes.
Bottom line: mildly recommended to fans of young adult comics!
As you would expect from a Lemire title, the characters feel real and complex, and the story generally avoids cheap young-adult formulas and cheesy moral lessons. On the downside, I felt things could have been wrapped up in more satisfying fashion, and the artwork by Emi Lenox looked a bit rushed and basic to my eyes.
Bottom line: mildly recommended to fans of young adult comics!
October 16, 2017
First read of Spookathon was a huge success! I loved this!
August 14, 2016
2.5 stars
Oh Plutona... where do I begin?
I've been ignoring writing this review for more than a week now. I just had huge expectations for this graphic novel and it was so damn disappointing.
Now, this isn't a bad story. In this classic coming of age tale there is originality, it is quite dark and a bit heartbreaking. The best part of this book is the last issue, but it ends abruptly leaving you underwhelmed and a bit confused.
What's Plutona about? One day after school, five kids find a body in the middle of the woods. The problem is, they recognize that body, it is Plutona, the most famous and powerful superhero in the world. They don't know what to do, but one thing is obvious, this discovery will change their lives.
The focus of Plutona is all about the characters. Sadly, there isn't much to them. Because Plutona is a 5 issue miniseries there's not a lot of introduction or time to spend with these kids. Which is a shame, because these characters are all different and aside from this tragic discovery, they are all struggling, there is the bittersweet atmosphere of growing up, of breaking bonds or making new ones. It is the story about their loss of innocence. So, even though you should care... you won't. There's just not much depth accomplished in such few issues.
Oh man, this hurts me. It should have been so much powerful, the last issue is so dark and interesting, but then it just ends abruptly. Personally, I read this without knowing it was a miniseries so I ended up confused and feeling a bit cheated. I was expecting so much more from Lemire. That being said, I heard Plutona is being adapted to the big screen, I do believe that this will translate so much better as a movie. Spending more time with the characters, developing their personalities and background, actually appreciating every one of them, will make this journey so much tragic. So I'm looking forward to seeing that adaptation.
Oh Plutona... where do I begin?
I've been ignoring writing this review for more than a week now. I just had huge expectations for this graphic novel and it was so damn disappointing.
Now, this isn't a bad story. In this classic coming of age tale there is originality, it is quite dark and a bit heartbreaking. The best part of this book is the last issue, but it ends abruptly leaving you underwhelmed and a bit confused.
What's Plutona about? One day after school, five kids find a body in the middle of the woods. The problem is, they recognize that body, it is Plutona, the most famous and powerful superhero in the world. They don't know what to do, but one thing is obvious, this discovery will change their lives.
The focus of Plutona is all about the characters. Sadly, there isn't much to them. Because Plutona is a 5 issue miniseries there's not a lot of introduction or time to spend with these kids. Which is a shame, because these characters are all different and aside from this tragic discovery, they are all struggling, there is the bittersweet atmosphere of growing up, of breaking bonds or making new ones. It is the story about their loss of innocence. So, even though you should care... you won't. There's just not much depth accomplished in such few issues.
Oh man, this hurts me. It should have been so much powerful, the last issue is so dark and interesting, but then it just ends abruptly. Personally, I read this without knowing it was a miniseries so I ended up confused and feeling a bit cheated. I was expecting so much more from Lemire. That being said, I heard Plutona is being adapted to the big screen, I do believe that this will translate so much better as a movie. Spending more time with the characters, developing their personalities and background, actually appreciating every one of them, will make this journey so much tragic. So I'm looking forward to seeing that adaptation.
October 17, 2016
Plutona is a superhero, and a mom. She is discovered either dead or unconscious (though the series IS called Plutona, folks) in the woods by some kids who are all different and not usually nice to each other and still somehow friends. The kids include Mie, who's Asian and little punk; Ray, the mean kid whose dad beats him up; Diane, Mie’s quiet insecure friend, Ray called her "Chubs"; and Teddy, a kid very into superheroes. Character is the name of the game in this series, which is what drives mots Lemire stories. Heart.
It's Stand By Me, and begs comparison with Vaughn's Paper Girls, which is sci fi, vs Plutona's superheroes, and Paper Girls is funnier, with better dialogue, and better drawn. Just better. Plutona is more grounded in real lives than Vaughn's story, and it's quite a bit darker than Paper Girls, but in this case it doesn't make it better. I'd say 2.5, but will round up because I am forever a fan of Lemire, which is to say I expect this to get better, but I am not that into it yet.
It's Stand By Me, and begs comparison with Vaughn's Paper Girls, which is sci fi, vs Plutona's superheroes, and Paper Girls is funnier, with better dialogue, and better drawn. Just better. Plutona is more grounded in real lives than Vaughn's story, and it's quite a bit darker than Paper Girls, but in this case it doesn't make it better. I'd say 2.5, but will round up because I am forever a fan of Lemire, which is to say I expect this to get better, but I am not that into it yet.
November 7, 2018
I was really digging this till the end.
So this is about a bunch of kids finding a dead body. To be more specific it's a superhero's body. They begin to figure out what to do. Go to cops? Cover it up? Get rid of the body? When everything starts to unravel and these kids begin to change and panic, everything falls apart.
Good: I really enjoyed the style of art. Cartoony and over the top but it works for a lot of the scenes. I enjoyed the dialog, kids talked like kids, and that means everyone hates everything. The build up is great and the tone gets darker and darker.
Bad: the ending just ends. Leaves so many plot points up in the air it's frustrating. I also didn't care or need to know about the superhero past. Wasn't really interesting or well done.
Overall solid early work from Lemire. I think it's good, moments of greatness, but doesn't grasp it completely. A 3.5 out of 5.
So this is about a bunch of kids finding a dead body. To be more specific it's a superhero's body. They begin to figure out what to do. Go to cops? Cover it up? Get rid of the body? When everything starts to unravel and these kids begin to change and panic, everything falls apart.
Good: I really enjoyed the style of art. Cartoony and over the top but it works for a lot of the scenes. I enjoyed the dialog, kids talked like kids, and that means everyone hates everything. The build up is great and the tone gets darker and darker.
Bad: the ending just ends. Leaves so many plot points up in the air it's frustrating. I also didn't care or need to know about the superhero past. Wasn't really interesting or well done.
Overall solid early work from Lemire. I think it's good, moments of greatness, but doesn't grasp it completely. A 3.5 out of 5.
October 3, 2016
I actually read this without knowing it was just a mini-series of five issues and so when I reached the end I immediately thought there would be a volume #2 coming. When I checked online it turns out there is not a volume #2 coming and actually it is just a super abrupt and shocking ending.
This story follows five "friends" (I say that in quotation marks because actually they bully one another and seem like they aren't true friends at many points of the volume) who accidentally stumble across the body of a woman in the woods. This isn't just anyone, it's the most famous superhero in their town, Plutona! They know that they cannot tell anyone because if word gets out then the 'baddies' of the town will start a riot and there won't be anyone good enough to save them so they keep it a secret.
This is described as a coming of age story and I believe there are rumours that it's being adapted into a film. As a film I believe this would be great because it would allow you the time to get to know the characters and to develop a relationship to them. In this super short series it was pretty hard to get a real sense of each character and so, when the shocking elements of the story are revealed later one, it's not as exciting and tragic as it may have been had this been developed into a longer story-line.
The artwork in this is definitely in a style I really like so I have to give credit there to the artist because the water-colour washes and deadly pallor of the skin made this a very lovely book to look at and read.
That's not to say that this isn't a bittersweet story that does show 5 children being forced to deal with some horrible circumstances. They have to keep secrets from one another, their families and their neighbours, and this puts a strain on the already tenuous relationships they all have. I think I most liked the young brother and the larger female character as they actually seemed to have a little more too them, but Amie and the goth-dude were not the type of people I liked much. I do think that their story was told in a very realistic way and that they did feel like genuine responses to the situation (had it been real) but I just wanted more time to get to know them overall. I ended up giving this a 3*s in the end.
This story follows five "friends" (I say that in quotation marks because actually they bully one another and seem like they aren't true friends at many points of the volume) who accidentally stumble across the body of a woman in the woods. This isn't just anyone, it's the most famous superhero in their town, Plutona! They know that they cannot tell anyone because if word gets out then the 'baddies' of the town will start a riot and there won't be anyone good enough to save them so they keep it a secret.
This is described as a coming of age story and I believe there are rumours that it's being adapted into a film. As a film I believe this would be great because it would allow you the time to get to know the characters and to develop a relationship to them. In this super short series it was pretty hard to get a real sense of each character and so, when the shocking elements of the story are revealed later one, it's not as exciting and tragic as it may have been had this been developed into a longer story-line.
The artwork in this is definitely in a style I really like so I have to give credit there to the artist because the water-colour washes and deadly pallor of the skin made this a very lovely book to look at and read.
That's not to say that this isn't a bittersweet story that does show 5 children being forced to deal with some horrible circumstances. They have to keep secrets from one another, their families and their neighbours, and this puts a strain on the already tenuous relationships they all have. I think I most liked the young brother and the larger female character as they actually seemed to have a little more too them, but Amie and the goth-dude were not the type of people I liked much. I do think that their story was told in a very realistic way and that they did feel like genuine responses to the situation (had it been real) but I just wanted more time to get to know them overall. I ended up giving this a 3*s in the end.
Read
October 18, 2016Possibly all shirts should have pears on them!
And also: don't be mean to your friends.
Most important: don't leave maybe-dead people alone in the woods, this is not a good plan.
With these pieces of advice (and lovely art and color from Emi Lenox and Jordie Bellaire), you will defeat all the problems in this book!
And also: don't be mean to your friends.
Most important: don't leave maybe-dead people alone in the woods, this is not a good plan.
With these pieces of advice (and lovely art and color from Emi Lenox and Jordie Bellaire), you will defeat all the problems in this book!
October 9, 2021
Знову час Джеффа Леміра на каналі, якого вже досить давно тут не було. Сьогодні незвичний комікс «Плутона», 2016 #1–5 у жанрі супергероїки із соціальними проблемами сьогодення та цікавим малюнком Емі Ленокс.
Ця коротка лімітована серія коміксів розповідає про те, як кілька підлітків знайшли в лісі мертве тіло найсильнішої супергероїні Плутони. Здивовані своєю знахідкою, вони вирішують, що ж робити далі. Повідомити поліцію, але тоді суперзлочинці рознесуть місто на друзки. Просто залишити тіло та повернутися додому, забувши про побачене. Чи, можливо, спробувати заховати мертву супергероїню, для того, щоби ніхто не дізнався про її смерть.
Я б не назвав цей мальопис таким, який концентрується на сюжетних аспектах. Радше він про персонажів, які наповнюють його. Основна увага приділяється невеликій групі дітей та їхнім взаєминам: Мія та її молодший брат Майк; Діана та стосунки із подругою Мією; Рей, який є дитиною-бунтарем і батько якого — алкоголік, який постійно принижує його; і на останок Тедді, тихий та скромний одинак, що одержимий супергероями. Джефф Лемір добре прописує своїх героїв, як він це вміє у своїх «життєвих» історіях із соціальними речима. Цікаво бачити, як дружба слабшає, формуються нові стосунки між підлітками й також, як їхній спільний секрет щодо мертвої супергероїні в лісі повільно змінює їхнє життя.
Якихось великих акцентів щодо Плутони, її супер здібностей та інших секретних справ супергероїв ми не побачимо. Натомість Лемір пропонує нам коротку історію, як супергероїня опинилася в лісі та ще трішки проблем, які привносить у стосунки Плутони та її дочки, ось ці всі «обов’язкові» супергеройські штучки. Мені хотілося більшого, хотілося, щоб сценарист розкрив цю героїню.
«Плутона» — це історія про дорослішання та дружбу, про бездумну біганину за своїми кумирами, на яких сучасні люди бажають бути схожими. А про те, щоби стати супергероями годі й думати. Але якщо випаде можливість, то чи потрібно переступати межу, яка дозволить здобути ці супер здібності? Чи вартує втрати частину самого себе, свого життя та сім’ї заради ефемерного прекрасного життя тих, хто стоїть на вершині?
Та навіть такі речі, які мені вдалося виловити, не рятують від того, що мене не покидає думка, що частково втратився сенс оповіді через залишені білі плями в історії. А деякі дії героїв здавалися досить дивними й незрозумілими для мене. Але, незважаючи на це, мені сподобалося.
Ця коротка лімітована серія коміксів розповідає про те, як кілька підлітків знайшли в лісі мертве тіло найсильнішої супергероїні Плутони. Здивовані своєю знахідкою, вони вирішують, що ж робити далі. Повідомити поліцію, але тоді суперзлочинці рознесуть місто на друзки. Просто залишити тіло та повернутися додому, забувши про побачене. Чи, можливо, спробувати заховати мертву супергероїню, для того, щоби ніхто не дізнався про її смерть.
Я б не назвав цей мальопис таким, який концентрується на сюжетних аспектах. Радше він про персонажів, які наповнюють його. Основна увага приділяється невеликій групі дітей та їхнім взаєминам: Мія та її молодший брат Майк; Діана та стосунки із подругою Мією; Рей, який є дитиною-бунтарем і батько якого — алкоголік, який постійно принижує його; і на останок Тедді, тихий та скромний одинак, що одержимий супергероями. Джефф Лемір добре прописує своїх героїв, як він це вміє у своїх «життєвих» історіях із соціальними речима. Цікаво бачити, як дружба слабшає, формуються нові стосунки між підлітками й також, як їхній спільний секрет щодо мертвої супергероїні в лісі повільно змінює їхнє життя.
Якихось великих акцентів щодо Плутони, її супер здібностей та інших секретних справ супергероїв ми не побачимо. Натомість Лемір пропонує нам коротку історію, як супергероїня опинилася в лісі та ще трішки проблем, які привносить у стосунки Плутони та її дочки, ось ці всі «обов’язкові» супергеройські штучки. Мені хотілося більшого, хотілося, щоб сценарист розкрив цю героїню.
«Плутона» — це історія про дорослішання та дружбу, про бездумну біганину за своїми кумирами, на яких сучасні люди бажають бути схожими. А про те, щоби стати супергероями годі й думати. Але якщо випаде можливість, то чи потрібно переступати межу, яка дозволить здобути ці супер здібності? Чи вартує втрати частину самого себе, свого життя та сім’ї заради ефемерного прекрасного життя тих, хто стоїть на вершині?
Та навіть такі речі, які мені вдалося виловити, не рятують від того, що мене не покидає думка, що частково втратився сенс оповіді через залишені білі плями в історії. А деякі дії героїв здавалися досить дивними й незрозумілими для мене. Але, незважаючи на це, мені сподобалося.
December 20, 2016
A group of kids find a body in the woods. But not just anyone, it's Plutona, resident superhero.
What follows is a microcosm of life, how secrets and lust for power can tear us apart, and just how far you will go for a friend.
I enjoyed it while I was reading it, even when it hurt. However, in retrospect it was pretty depressing and bleak. A fit ending for 2016?
What follows is a microcosm of life, how secrets and lust for power can tear us apart, and just how far you will go for a friend.
I enjoyed it while I was reading it, even when it hurt. However, in retrospect it was pretty depressing and bleak. A fit ending for 2016?
February 5, 2017
I loved the art style in Plutona, the characters were all so interesting to look at and the colours were gorgeous and always fitted the feel of the scene perfectly.
I thought it was really interesting seeing each of the characters, who came from totally different backgrounds and lives, coming together! I also liked that it's split into two parts, the kids story and Plutona's story and origin. I loved the insight, however small, into the life of a superhero.
The main aspect that I really didn't love about this, was how they treated Diane, e.g Ray constantly calling her 'chubs' and Mie not standing up for her and leaving her behind etc. I felt as though this was unnecessary. There was no real point to it and, for me, it really didn't add anything to the story. I thought it was sad that nothing came of this or had much of a conclusion. It was just kind of accepted?
I went into this not knowing it was a mini series, so it felt a little rushed and anticlimactic. I just wish it had been longer and a little more fleshed out with a slightly more conclusive ending! I think if I had gone into it knowing it was a stand alone, I might have been a lot more impressed but nonetheless it was an interesting and entertaining snapshot of a story! I did enjoy the final page though, I feel as though this would make an incredible tv show or movie!!
Also, I can't not mention LOKI THE PUG PUPPY!!! A puppy named after a marvel villain?! What more could you want. I'd very much like puppies in all the graphic novels I read from now on... :')
I thought it was really interesting seeing each of the characters, who came from totally different backgrounds and lives, coming together! I also liked that it's split into two parts, the kids story and Plutona's story and origin. I loved the insight, however small, into the life of a superhero.
The main aspect that I really didn't love about this, was how they treated Diane, e.g Ray constantly calling her 'chubs' and Mie not standing up for her and leaving her behind etc. I felt as though this was unnecessary. There was no real point to it and, for me, it really didn't add anything to the story. I thought it was sad that nothing came of this or had much of a conclusion. It was just kind of accepted?
I went into this not knowing it was a mini series, so it felt a little rushed and anticlimactic. I just wish it had been longer and a little more fleshed out with a slightly more conclusive ending! I think if I had gone into it knowing it was a stand alone, I might have been a lot more impressed but nonetheless it was an interesting and entertaining snapshot of a story! I did enjoy the final page though, I feel as though this would make an incredible tv show or movie!!
Also, I can't not mention LOKI THE PUG PUPPY!!! A puppy named after a marvel villain?! What more could you want. I'd very much like puppies in all the graphic novels I read from now on... :')
June 30, 2016
Jeff Lemire's Plutona is a weird book, and by the end of it, feels kinda pointless. Still, I enjoyed the story enough for what it is, which is essentially a Stephen King rip-off with superheroes, for no apparent reason. Nice artwork by Emi Lenox and Lemire himself, though.
March 27, 2025
There are some books that just speak to you. It's hard to put it to words what this sensation is like, but the best I can think of is that this book spoke to me in a time where I most needed it. Pet Sematary is one of those books, which helped give me my own voice for communicating the raw and most intense part of what grief is. Plutona is another that spoke to me during my life, about a particular point in my life. I won't go into detail, but hopefully this review will illuminate how this book made me feel.
Plutona's often lowballed by Lemire fans, either described as a mid-tier work or outright ignored. It's a damn shame, as I find that Plutona is one of Lemire's most accomplished and underrated works to date. It has the same emotional core of his best work like Sweet Tooth and Black Hammer, but somehow it's far more intimate, like Lemire's version of Stand By Me, just with a dead superhero in the middle of the woods and not a dead fellow classmate. But once you peel back that simple concept, you'll find there's a lot more there than meets the eye.
Far as I see it, there are three main obsessions that often haunt Lemire's work: Canada (often rural), dysfunctional family dynamics, and that strange part of your life that's called childhood and what it means to grow up. While Sweet Tooth is still my favorite Lemire work, I still think Plutona is the best when it comes to Lemire exploring his thoughts on what it means to grow up. He's returned to this theme time and time again throughout his career, but far as I see, he hasn't beaten Plutona in terms of the insight and emotion he brings here.
I can't give him all the credit here, he once again is accompanied by an excellent collaborator, this time it's Emi Lenox. Her style is unique, more like a webcomic than anything in the mainstream market. It makes sense, since that's where Lenox started her career. Her art is cartoony, but her characters are distinct. It's a style that's perfect for this particular story, complimented well by Jordie Bellaire's exceptional colors. One of Lemire's gifts, and one of the reasons why he's so good is that, like the best comic book writers, Lemire works to the strengths of his artists. But even then, I know that Lenox worked with him in creating the story of Plutona. While I don't know how much Lenox wrote in regards to the story aside from the fact that she created the Plutona character, it's clear that Lenox and Lemire compliment each other exceptionally. We even see Lemire's own idiomatic art style make an appearance here too.
While this is pitched as somewhat of a superhero story, it becomes clear that this is a coming of age story and it's this where the story finds its emotional power. The superheroic parts of this story are not as focused upon, it doesn't have the history and depth of Black Hammer but Plutona makes up for it by focusing on the people who populate the world of superheroes. The question of how regular people would react to superheroes has been explored for sure, particularly in Kurt Busiek's work such as Marvels and Astro City, but Lemire and Lenox play a clever bait and switch on the audience, teasing us with a superhero story, but then giving us a crushing coming of age story about growing up and how once innocence is lost, it can never be regained.
The biggest strength of this book is the characters, particularly Timmy. These kids are so believable here, their dynamics natural and there's a sense of history between them, one that defines them as characters and makes them stick out as distinct human beings. I think, alongside Sweet Tooth and Descender, Plutona marks Lemire as the best writer of kids in comics. There are likely others who could be mentioned, yet I can't think of them. Lemire understands kids on a level that rivals the aforementioned Stephen King. He has an intimate knowledge of what kids are like and how much pressure they deal with in their daily lives. It's the not-quiteness of their stress as compared to adults that makes a great kid character. I was particularly moved by the character of Teddy, as he reminded me of a version of myself at one time: an awkward, ostracized kid who was fascinated by superheroes and didn't really fit in with anyone else. It's his desire to feel accepted and his want to be special that is the core of the tragedy that makes this book so powerful.
Ok, ok, that's just critic talk stuff. Why does this book affect you so much? Stop teasing me, Critic Man.
Specifically why Plutona speaks to me is that it gave me a bizarro alternative nightmare world that I could have existed in, where I made choices that were too much like the characters in this story. Ones where I could have ended up in their position by the end, perhaps without the superheroics though. It's a story that told me that I wasn't alone in my pain and anguish. That I didn't have to carry it alone. I didn't have to end up like a Teddy or a Ray for that matter. That my pain mattered. But that it doesn't have to define my life. The way I related to this book and its small cast of characters was so great that it was almost scary, like I was back in high school, being that bullied, awkward kid all over again.
Art has a way of doing that to you.
Plutona's often lowballed by Lemire fans, either described as a mid-tier work or outright ignored. It's a damn shame, as I find that Plutona is one of Lemire's most accomplished and underrated works to date. It has the same emotional core of his best work like Sweet Tooth and Black Hammer, but somehow it's far more intimate, like Lemire's version of Stand By Me, just with a dead superhero in the middle of the woods and not a dead fellow classmate. But once you peel back that simple concept, you'll find there's a lot more there than meets the eye.
Far as I see it, there are three main obsessions that often haunt Lemire's work: Canada (often rural), dysfunctional family dynamics, and that strange part of your life that's called childhood and what it means to grow up. While Sweet Tooth is still my favorite Lemire work, I still think Plutona is the best when it comes to Lemire exploring his thoughts on what it means to grow up. He's returned to this theme time and time again throughout his career, but far as I see, he hasn't beaten Plutona in terms of the insight and emotion he brings here.
I can't give him all the credit here, he once again is accompanied by an excellent collaborator, this time it's Emi Lenox. Her style is unique, more like a webcomic than anything in the mainstream market. It makes sense, since that's where Lenox started her career. Her art is cartoony, but her characters are distinct. It's a style that's perfect for this particular story, complimented well by Jordie Bellaire's exceptional colors. One of Lemire's gifts, and one of the reasons why he's so good is that, like the best comic book writers, Lemire works to the strengths of his artists. But even then, I know that Lenox worked with him in creating the story of Plutona. While I don't know how much Lenox wrote in regards to the story aside from the fact that she created the Plutona character, it's clear that Lenox and Lemire compliment each other exceptionally. We even see Lemire's own idiomatic art style make an appearance here too.
While this is pitched as somewhat of a superhero story, it becomes clear that this is a coming of age story and it's this where the story finds its emotional power. The superheroic parts of this story are not as focused upon, it doesn't have the history and depth of Black Hammer but Plutona makes up for it by focusing on the people who populate the world of superheroes. The question of how regular people would react to superheroes has been explored for sure, particularly in Kurt Busiek's work such as Marvels and Astro City, but Lemire and Lenox play a clever bait and switch on the audience, teasing us with a superhero story, but then giving us a crushing coming of age story about growing up and how once innocence is lost, it can never be regained.
The biggest strength of this book is the characters, particularly Timmy. These kids are so believable here, their dynamics natural and there's a sense of history between them, one that defines them as characters and makes them stick out as distinct human beings. I think, alongside Sweet Tooth and Descender, Plutona marks Lemire as the best writer of kids in comics. There are likely others who could be mentioned, yet I can't think of them. Lemire understands kids on a level that rivals the aforementioned Stephen King. He has an intimate knowledge of what kids are like and how much pressure they deal with in their daily lives. It's the not-quiteness of their stress as compared to adults that makes a great kid character. I was particularly moved by the character of Teddy, as he reminded me of a version of myself at one time: an awkward, ostracized kid who was fascinated by superheroes and didn't really fit in with anyone else. It's his desire to feel accepted and his want to be special that is the core of the tragedy that makes this book so powerful.
Ok, ok, that's just critic talk stuff. Why does this book affect you so much? Stop teasing me, Critic Man.
Specifically why Plutona speaks to me is that it gave me a bizarro alternative nightmare world that I could have existed in, where I made choices that were too much like the characters in this story. Ones where I could have ended up in their position by the end, perhaps without the superheroics though. It's a story that told me that I wasn't alone in my pain and anguish. That I didn't have to carry it alone. I didn't have to end up like a Teddy or a Ray for that matter. That my pain mattered. But that it doesn't have to define my life. The way I related to this book and its small cast of characters was so great that it was almost scary, like I was back in high school, being that bullied, awkward kid all over again.
Art has a way of doing that to you.
January 25, 2020
Dos bildungsroman em arte sequencial
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Animados do espírito de Stand By Me e de Marvels numa abordagem de crueza enfabulada, Lemire e Lenox dão-nos um falso simples digno de nota. O desenvolvimento das personagens e a criação do enredo concretizados em tão poucas páginas não serão um sucesso incidental mas antes o fruto de um labor virtuoso, no qual a escrita encontra meio amplificante em páginas de traço e coloração perfeitamente sintonizados.
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Animados do espírito de Stand By Me e de Marvels numa abordagem de crueza enfabulada, Lemire e Lenox dão-nos um falso simples digno de nota. O desenvolvimento das personagens e a criação do enredo concretizados em tão poucas páginas não serão um sucesso incidental mas antes o fruto de um labor virtuoso, no qual a escrita encontra meio amplificante em páginas de traço e coloração perfeitamente sintonizados.
October 24, 2019
What do you do when the great superhero that protects your city is found by you and your group of “acquaintances” in a forest after a fatal battle? You hide the body of course! And take the blood of said superhero, just in case you can transfer her superpowers to yourself, also you don’t tell anyone so that the villains don’t realize the great hero is gone. These kids sure are smart!
Jeff Lemire is one of my favourite writers and artists. I've found the previous works of his I've read, well written, drawn, and developed, this one is just as great. His characters are always layered and diverse, these kids are not different. During the first issue's beginning few pages, we get one page per character that details a small part of that character's life, having to do with their family or their pastimes. This is used effectively to explain why they all act the way they act, and how that particular aspect of their lives affects how they treat others, whether they are friends, family, or strangers, and how such attitudes can change.
Emi Lenox did a fantastic job as well when it came to the art. The style she uses is very simplistic, and not as detailed, resembling pencil drawings that have been a bit enhanced. Because of the coloured pencils appearance, we get a lot of opaque colours, which work fantastically with the grittiness of what has happened.
It is a fantastic series, and I am still unsure if I want them to leave the ending how they did, or if I want more information on what happened before and after the last issue. UTTERLY FANTASTIC!!!
Jeff Lemire is one of my favourite writers and artists. I've found the previous works of his I've read, well written, drawn, and developed, this one is just as great. His characters are always layered and diverse, these kids are not different. During the first issue's beginning few pages, we get one page per character that details a small part of that character's life, having to do with their family or their pastimes. This is used effectively to explain why they all act the way they act, and how that particular aspect of their lives affects how they treat others, whether they are friends, family, or strangers, and how such attitudes can change.
Emi Lenox did a fantastic job as well when it came to the art. The style she uses is very simplistic, and not as detailed, resembling pencil drawings that have been a bit enhanced. Because of the coloured pencils appearance, we get a lot of opaque colours, which work fantastically with the grittiness of what has happened.
It is a fantastic series, and I am still unsure if I want them to leave the ending how they did, or if I want more information on what happened before and after the last issue. UTTERLY FANTASTIC!!!
May 14, 2017
Plutona is one of the most powerful superheroes in the world. Or was, as, one day, after school, Teddy, Diane, Mie, Mike, and Ray come across her body in the woods ...
This is a decent one volume story. Comparisons to Stephen King's, "The Body"--the story on which the movie, Stand By Me, was based--are probably inescapable. In both cases, we have a group of kids discovering a corpse. Also, in both cases, the story is really more about the relationships between the protagonists than the discovery of the body itself. There's also a parallel story in a series of flashbacks showing Plutona's final adventure.
This was a good book, but really nothing special. Jeff Lemire is too good a writer to do an actual bad book, but this one has decidedly less substance than I've come to expect fom him. This was decent, but forgettable. The thing about it that will probably stick with me the longest is that Mie has excellent taste in hats and shirts. There are certainly worse books out there, but there are many better ones as well. This is pretty middle of the road.
This is a decent one volume story. Comparisons to Stephen King's, "The Body"--the story on which the movie, Stand By Me, was based--are probably inescapable. In both cases, we have a group of kids discovering a corpse. Also, in both cases, the story is really more about the relationships between the protagonists than the discovery of the body itself. There's also a parallel story in a series of flashbacks showing Plutona's final adventure.
This was a good book, but really nothing special. Jeff Lemire is too good a writer to do an actual bad book, but this one has decidedly less substance than I've come to expect fom him. This was decent, but forgettable. The thing about it that will probably stick with me the longest is that Mie has excellent taste in hats and shirts. There are certainly worse books out there, but there are many better ones as well. This is pretty middle of the road.
March 2, 2019
Plutona is a really short mini-series with interesting art and somehow fucked up twist. I did not expect it to end as it ended and I'm not sure if I like all of it but generally, I was satisfied. Main 4 characters are interesting. They are brats that you can relate to and maybe in some cases see reflections of past. Lemire writes realistic kids.
But at the same time, I have a problem with this series as I have with Four kids walk into a bar and little bit with Stranger Things. Kids are kids and even though they can do horrible things or overcome great obstacles the ending was really overdone and for me little unrealistic.
The art style is great with close-ups. Not so much when the characters are walking. But clean colouring makes it up for is. Jordie is best in the business.
I like Jeff Lemire. I admire his passion and drive and work ethic. And after this comic, I think that I like Emi Lenox. Yet I'm torn between 3-4* but I'll give it 4.
But at the same time, I have a problem with this series as I have with Four kids walk into a bar and little bit with Stranger Things. Kids are kids and even though they can do horrible things or overcome great obstacles the ending was really overdone and for me little unrealistic.
The art style is great with close-ups. Not so much when the characters are walking. But clean colouring makes it up for is. Jordie is best in the business.
I like Jeff Lemire. I admire his passion and drive and work ethic. And after this comic, I think that I like Emi Lenox. Yet I'm torn between 3-4* but I'll give it 4.
August 30, 2019
I did not like Mie at all. Diane was annoying. But that still did not make me to dislike the whole thing. Story was nice, ending surprising.
February 27, 2018
3.5 stars. Fairly good episode of the Twilight Zone.
World: The art is fantastic, it's very grounded making this story unassuming and also subverting reader expectations. The tone of the story is really informed by the art. The world building here is basic but it's only there to serve the story.
Story: Very well paced and unsettling. This is a good episode of Twilight Zone, it's creepy, it's kinda weird and just sad. The main drive of the story is done well and the dialog really allowed for this little tale to play out.
Characters: The kids are full of character but also fall into cliché norms. The dialog is strong and hits hard and the emotions are on the surface but effective. The main through with Plutona is an interesting one and without spoiling the story the basic premise twisted the way it was made for an interesting character read.
A nice little tale that feels like an episode of the Twilight Zone.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is fantastic, it's very grounded making this story unassuming and also subverting reader expectations. The tone of the story is really informed by the art. The world building here is basic but it's only there to serve the story.
Story: Very well paced and unsettling. This is a good episode of Twilight Zone, it's creepy, it's kinda weird and just sad. The main drive of the story is done well and the dialog really allowed for this little tale to play out.
Characters: The kids are full of character but also fall into cliché norms. The dialog is strong and hits hard and the emotions are on the surface but effective. The main through with Plutona is an interesting one and without spoiling the story the basic premise twisted the way it was made for an interesting character read.
A nice little tale that feels like an episode of the Twilight Zone.
Onward to the next book!
July 28, 2016
Seems like I've been saying this a lot lately, but...
I liked (but didn't love) this book, A decent (but uninspiring) 3 stars from me.
I expect more from Jeff Lemire, one of the more prolific (and well-liked) authors in the comics scene today.
This wasn't bad by any stretch... But it just felt ..off.. to me, a sort of "Weaker Effort", especially when compared to some of Lemires other works like Trillium orSweet Tooth, Vol. 1: Out of the Deep Woods.
I liked (but didn't love) this book, A decent (but uninspiring) 3 stars from me.
I expect more from Jeff Lemire, one of the more prolific (and well-liked) authors in the comics scene today.
This wasn't bad by any stretch... But it just felt ..off.. to me, a sort of "Weaker Effort", especially when compared to some of Lemires other works like Trillium orSweet Tooth, Vol. 1: Out of the Deep Woods.
Read
July 28, 2025It's superhero as negative space.
June 12, 2018
É Jeff Lemire. Ponto. Isto não chega para vos convencer a ler? Ok...então vou tentar dizer mais qualquer coisa: história saída da cabeça do Jeff Lemire e ilustrada pela Emi Lenox e que tem como pano de fundo um mundo no qual os super-heróis trabalham em escritórios durante o dia e à noite defendem as cidades dos bandidos, uma espécie de Clark Kents noctívagos, portanto. A Plutona é um desses super-heróis.
Mas, neste livro, os verdadeiros heróis e protagonistas não são os que vestem capas para combater bandidos, são sim 5 miúdos que descobrem um cadáver numa floresta, perto da escola que frequentam, e que a partir daí constroem a história que nos é contada.
Uma narrativa com alguns clichés, a fazer lembrar os meandros de produtos como “Stranger Things” ou do velhinho “Stand by me” e que tanto estão na bera hoje em dia, mas que não retira qualidade à história. A história não é genial, mas é gira, as personagens são ecléticas, como seria de esperar e a arte assenta-lhe bem, tendo a particularidade de que a parte da narrativa referente à ação da Plutona é desenhada pelo Lemire.
Não é tão genial como outros trabalhos do autor, mas é Lemire e entretém bem…e Lemire vale sempre a pena. =P
Mas, neste livro, os verdadeiros heróis e protagonistas não são os que vestem capas para combater bandidos, são sim 5 miúdos que descobrem um cadáver numa floresta, perto da escola que frequentam, e que a partir daí constroem a história que nos é contada.
Uma narrativa com alguns clichés, a fazer lembrar os meandros de produtos como “Stranger Things” ou do velhinho “Stand by me” e que tanto estão na bera hoje em dia, mas que não retira qualidade à história. A história não é genial, mas é gira, as personagens são ecléticas, como seria de esperar e a arte assenta-lhe bem, tendo a particularidade de que a parte da narrativa referente à ação da Plutona é desenhada pelo Lemire.
Não é tão genial como outros trabalhos do autor, mas é Lemire e entretém bem…e Lemire vale sempre a pena. =P
March 16, 2018
A group of kids find a body in the woods. The body is Plutona, a superhero. This sets of a small chain of events surrounding this issue. The story really isnt much about the body at all, more so about the kids interactions/relationships, as well as Plutonas relationship with her kid, shown with some flashbacks. Lemire is a great writer, and it shows here, just not enough substance to amaze though.
February 26, 2021
A nice take on superheroes and adolescent dramas.
June 28, 2017
Really good, and a great example of how versatile the Superhero genre can be. This basically reads like a Stephen King horror story set in a superhero universe.
November 13, 2024
Lemire is always at his best focusing on characters rather than story, and I think this is one of his better efforts (though it doesn't come close to the magic of Essex County).
Teenagers are usually my kryptonite (geroff my lawn) but the gang in Plutona didn't quite piss me off. These are some well-drawn kids. The bully is GOOOOD at being a bully and I wanted to never stop smacking him. There's a chunky girl with a needy streak, her shitty best friend who takes her for granted, and a serious smart kid who tracks superhero activity the way I obsessed over basketball stats at that age. Great characters interacting plausibly.
This motley crew stumbles across the corpse of the world's most powerful superhero and are forced into some tense adolescent negotiations and difficult decisions.
The superhero-ness serves as a fresh backdrop for teen drama rather than as the story itself. (Though I did enjoy Lemire taking the opportunity to send up some lamer superhero conventions, such as overly explanatory thought bubbles.)
Teenagers are usually my kryptonite (geroff my lawn) but the gang in Plutona didn't quite piss me off. These are some well-drawn kids. The bully is GOOOOD at being a bully and I wanted to never stop smacking him. There's a chunky girl with a needy streak, her shitty best friend who takes her for granted, and a serious smart kid who tracks superhero activity the way I obsessed over basketball stats at that age. Great characters interacting plausibly.
This motley crew stumbles across the corpse of the world's most powerful superhero and are forced into some tense adolescent negotiations and difficult decisions.
The superhero-ness serves as a fresh backdrop for teen drama rather than as the story itself. (Though I did enjoy Lemire taking the opportunity to send up some lamer superhero conventions, such as overly explanatory thought bubbles.)
February 1, 2023
Five middle-school age (?) kids in the suburbs discover the body of a beloved missing superhero. My exact quote when I finished this: "That is some f---ed up sh-t." And I meant that in a good way. The kids make the simultaneously kid-logical but terrible decision not to tell anyone outside the group about their find, but somebody in the group has an ulterior motive. Bleak and depressing, but totally gripping.
December 25, 2016
Too bleak for me. There are no likable characters, and the story spirals into darkness with no sort of redemption or hope. On the last page, I'm left wondering why I should care about all that came before.
July 8, 2016
Started off really promising but then was pretty average by the end.
May 16, 2016
I have been on the edge of my seat as I was to find out what will be revealed about the characters in every additional issue that is published.
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