Written by (See Credits Below)
Art by (See Credits Below)
Cover Art by John Cassady; Laura Martin; & Randy Mayor
SUMMARY:
Published for February 2011 by WildStorm Productions, this 100-page cross-over one-shot collects 2000’s Planetary/Authority: Ruling the World and 2002’s Planetary/JLA: Terra Occulta (each tale is approximately fifty pages, including its full-page cover).
Planetary/Authority: Ruling The World – Written by Warren Ellis, with art by Phil Jimenez; Andy Lanning; Laura Depuy Martin; and Ryan Cline, with the cover image by Phil Jimenez & David Baron.
The Authority narrowly averts a near-catastrophe in Judgement, Rhode Island, by destroying a massive alien-like octopus and its legion of flying aquatic monsters. Following up similar leads without actually encountering one another, the Planetary team (Jakita Wagner; Elijah Snow; and the Drummer) and the Authority descend on a secret research lab located in the Adirondacks. Both squads separately face formidable tasks saving Earth from an extradimensional invasion force.
Planetary/JLA: Terra Occulta – Written by Warren Ellis, with art by Jerry Ordway; David Baron; and Mike Heisler, with the cover image by Jerry Ordway & David Baron.
In an alternate reality, the Planetary Organization ominously dominates world society after having amassed and controlling all advanced technology, including Green Lantern rings and a Kryptonian shuttle prototype. Bruce Wayne recruits Earth’s last Amazon, Diana Prince, as well as the mysterious Mr. Kent, to launch a last-ditch counter-strike. Taking the battle to The Planetary’s moon base, a lethal showdown ensues.
REVIEW:
Unquestionably, the top-caliber visuals in both stories are this comic’s primary asset. The problem lies in grasping writer Warren Ellis’ style of mind-blowing (and kid-unfriendly) storytelling. Far too often, Ellis makes the misassumption that the entire audience knows exactly who’s who’s and what they’re talking about. Rather noticeably, Ellis doesn’t resort to inserting profanities as cheap dialogue, but he does rely on a bloody violence quotient that seems excessive.
In the adults-only Ruling The World, for those unfamiliar with either of these super-teams, the storyline is only vaguely comprehensible. As Ellis throws in multiple doses of technobabble, deciphering the plot from the dialogue alone proves more exasperating than rewarding. The characters also do little to endear themselves to new readers. Above all, be advised of some bloody violence late in the game. Ruling The World is written near-exclusively for Ellis’ fan base, so it may not prove too entertaining for casual fans.
Terra Occulta is far easier to fathom, as the sci-fi/horror plot is Justice League-focused. Impressively, these ‘realistic’ counterparts of Bruce Wayne; Diana Prince; and Clark Kent make for an intriguing read. In that sense, this tale’s spirit belongs to DC Comics’ Elseworlds and Vertigo imprints, especially as the fates of would-be Justice Leaguers are revealed.
Again, there is a fair amount of technobabble, but it doesn’t impact the story’s narrative flow too much. Also, Ellis throws in bloody mayhem for the finale, even when it doesn’t really make sense (i.e. an impaled character somehow survives in spite of what should be a fatal wound). For that matter, Diana’s ultra-violent clash with Jakita Wagner isn’t satisfactorily resolved, but perhaps leaving its exact outcome to the imagination is for the best.
Overcoming its minor weaknesses, Terra Occulta far surpasses Ruling The World as a comprehensible and mostly enjoyable read. Yet, as a combined package read, these two tales offer some insights into exploring WildStorm’s blend of traditional super-heroics with edgy Vertigo Comics-style storytelling.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
None.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
