- Title: Planetary #6
- Comic Vine: link
- Writer: Warren Ellis
- Artist: John Cassaday
Fantastic Four Week is the perfect time to return to adventure of the Archaeologists of the Impossible as Planetary #6 is notable for introducing the WildStorm Universe’s version of the Fantastic Four as the greatest villains of the world. Giving a chance for Elijah Snow to put his money where his mouth is and do some real good with Planetary, Jakita Wagner introduces the grumpy codger to the story of “The Four,” a group sent to the moon as part of the super-secret Artemis project while Apollo grabbed the headlines. Returning to Earth changed, the four (already morally-questionable individuals) used their gifts to grow their power on Earth soon running Artemis and later getting their tendrils into every crevice of the world.
As the best comics do, Planetary #6 works as a standalone story with Jakita’s narration working as Planetary has already tracked down William Leather, and, in a fun twist, his appearance adds to the overall story of Elijah’s fractured memory which will play into the larger arc leading to the big reveal in Planetary #12. Based on Johnny Storm, Leather notably toys with both Jakita and Elijah before fading back into the shadows where The Four flourish while hiding away technology which could change the world. Although he escapes, his introduction (and to a lesser extent the introduction of the other members who only appear in flashbacks), sets the stage for all that is yet to come.
[WildStorm, $2.50]