Planetoid by Ken Garing

[JimN]

Has anyone given this new Image title a shot? I picked up the first issue over the weekend and I really enjoyed it. It's a science fiction comic with excellent artwork. The story in issue #1 is simple but effective. Garing handled writing, art and lettering himself so it's more or less a one man show and I thought it was an impressive series debut. I didn't see issue #2 at the shop so I may have to call around or go shop-hopping because apparently, it's out.

If you like science fiction comics, I recommend giving this a try.

Jim

[Farrell]

Has anyone given this new Image title a shot? I picked up the first issue over the weekend and I really enjoyed it. It's a science fiction comic with excellent artwork. The story in issue #1 is simple but effective. Garing handled writing, art and lettering himself so it's more or less a one man show and I thought it was an impressive series debut. I didn't see issue #2 at the shop so I may have to call around or go shop-hopping because apparently, it's out.

If you like science fiction comics, I recommend giving this a try.

Jim

I don't know if I wasn't in a very forgiving mood, or what, but my reaction to this comic was a big *yawn*.  I mean, you're right: it's very solid in all aspects.  It just didn't have anything, in story or artwork, that made me want to spend another $4 or whatever on more of it.  

[JimN]

I don't know if I wasn't in a very forgiving mood, or what, but my reaction to this comic was a big *yawn*.  I mean, you're right: it's very solid in all aspects.  It just didn't have anything, in story or artwork, that made me want to spend another $4 or whatever on more of it.  

I can understand that. As I said, the story is simple. I liked it and itset up enough to intrigue me about where it's going but it was the artwork that really grabbed me. I really liked the way Garing used heavy black throughout and his compositions from panel-to-panel were very strong. The visuals really drew me into the comic and for me, that always makes a big difference.

[Dean S.]

I think it's great.  As has been noted.....not the most complex story.  But, I really like the visuals.  The images have that nice mix of being visually impressive and dramatic (really sells the epic size of the landscape) along with being energetic and solid from a sequential standpoint. 

And, I can go for a straight-forward story.  Most of the time, I just get confused and forget the complicated details anyway.

[Lesson_25]

I can understand that. As I said, the story is simple. I liked it and itset up enough to intrigue me about where it's going but it was the artwork that really grabbed me. I really liked the way Garing used heavy black throughout and his compositions from panel-to-panel were very strong. The visuals really drew me into the comic and for me, that always makes a big difference.

Totally agree. I'm very interested to see where this is going. I wasn't blown away by the first issue, but am definitely going to run with it for awhile to see where we end up.

[Jeff B.]

I enjoyed this, agree with the art, that was the stronger part of this book.   I happen to like sci-fi stories like this and am interested to see where this goes.   After liking the first issue I am going to wait and buy the trade which should be discounted a decent amount based on Images past tendencies.

That is less to do with the book itself and more to do with how many books I am buying and can actually read on a monthly basis.

[Rustyautoparts (Russ Otto)]

I enjoyed the first issue well enough, but I honestly can't remember anything that happened. It sure was pretty, though. If the second issue jogs my memory enough - or sets up something a little more substantial - I'll stick with it.

[GLewis]

I liked the art in the first issue, but in number 2 the colors seemed bland and a little ugly really. I'll probably buy issue  three, but if it doesn't pick up I'm gone.

[Devilhand]

Topic Necromancy!

I enjoyed the first issue of this series, but fell off because I missed issue #2.

I'm all caught up now and have read the four issues that have been released, and IMO it's one of the strongest new Image titles this year. Visually reminds me of Moebius, although there are points where it seems Garing has fallen behind, or is rushing to get the issue out.

It sounds like the next issue will be the last from what I can glean, as Garing has plans to do the book as a series of mini-stories.

[BobBretall]

I think it's great.  As has been noted.....not the most complex story.  But, I really like the visuals.  The images have that nice mix of being visually impressive and dramatic (really sells the epic size of the landscape) along with being energetic and solid from a sequential standpoint. 

As usual, DeanS steals the words from my mouth!

I'm liking this series a lot, pretty cool concept, and not that many straight sci-fi books out there, so it's nice to get that from this book.

[Schreiner]

I have not read the fourth issue yet, but I loved the first three.  I'll echo what others have already said:  great art and straight forward story.

Garing does a fantastic job representing size and space, which helps emphasize the lonely or cut off themes of the narrative.  His work with light and shadow is also pretty impressive.  There are some point in the books that feel like they have been etched, but that might just be me.

[Dean S.]

I'm still reading this and enjoying it quite a lot.  For me, it was very telling that we could have a ~3 month gap between issues #3 and #4 and I was able to dive right back in without missing a beat.

The story is just very uncluttered.  I wonder if Garing was just smart enough to know that he couldn't keep this on a monthly schedule and kept it simple???  He really only has a few characters to focus on and he's really nailed them.  I believe that Silas is this tough, get-in-done leader.  I believe the hot girl as a co-leader and love interest.  I believe the weird aliens as the menace outside the fence.  That's really all it is.

Another thing I like is that it is really a post-apocalyptic story without it being on Earth, so we don't have to have zombies or a super flu or whatever. 

And....that art has been slick. 

[Gerry]

I loved the first issue. I thought it was a cool read in much the same way Prophet was. I couldn't believe the level of detail in the art, especially for a new writer/artist. I was sure there was no way he'd be able to maintain that level of quality on a monthly book... aaaaaaand I was right.That first issue had been done for a while and was up on Graphically before being picked up by Image. Since then, it looks like he's struggling to keep up. It's still really fun, and the pictures are pretty, but the delays have begun and the quality of later issues isn't quite up to that first one. I'll keep reading it, though. I give the first issue an A+ and everything since a B.