Review: Planetoid #3

Sometimes a man is great and other times greatness finds the man. That’s the probably the best way to describe Silas as he inadvertently changed the landscape of the “Slab” after blasting two Rovers and saving an entire tribe in the last issue. Suddenly different tribes from all over the slab have come together to form a new community by the downed space ship that Silas wants to repair. Tensions begin to rise as the different groups come together and the question of whether or not everyone is contributing comes into play.

Silas speaks with the group and gives his plan for the ship and says that anyone that stays will have food as long as they contribute in some fashion. From there he begins teaching the them different skills; from welding to algae cultivating all the different skills that everyone else has picked up to survive now become the society’s way of life. They’re still not without their dangers though as a Rover approaches their encampment standing a ways out. Some children call Silas over and before the Rover can finish their usual speech he blasts it with his gun. They paint a line and put out a warning for other Rover’s basically telling them that the territorial lines have changed.

This issue is fantastic. I clung to every page and took in every bit of the story and art that I could and every moment was fantastic. I enjoyed it so much that I quickly read through a second time just to put a smile on my face. The outline starts off as if you’re following the rise of a King, but unlike that typical narration the King isn’t corrupted by power because he never takes on all of the power. It’s amazing to watch how quickly Silas establishes a democracy and how the people of the planet adapt to it. The writing is so strong that you can’t help but see the desperation of the people and how much they want to do something more than survive. It’s a shame that at some point in the story it’s all going to have to come crashing down in order for the plot to progress, but when it doesn’t it will have significant meaning to the characters and the world.

The art on the series has the right fit for sci-fi, but has an incredible range at the same time. This story may happen in space/future, but the tools and equipment of the society are limited to things we have today. It’s very cool to watch as the society builds more and more just within the art. It perfectly shows the advancement of everything without having to say it.

This book has really had a Cinderella journey and it deserves every bit of praise that it receives. We’ve been following it from the beginning and let me just say that I’m not the only one that feels this title is great. Don’t let the fact that it’s a sci-fi title scare you away; as the plot progress that becomes more of a set piece then a driving force. What can I say, this yet another great creator owned book from Image Comics and I wouldn’t be too surprised if Hollywood comes knocking.

Score: 5/5

Writer/Artist/Creator: Ken Garing

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $2.99

Release Date: 8/22/12