Planetary: The Fourth Man - Softcover

Ellis, Warren

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563897644 ISBN 13: 9781563897641

Publisher: Wildstorm, 2001

Synopsis

This second PLANETARY collection focuses on the team's mysterious benefactor, the "Fourth Man." After paying their final respects to a British occultist with ties to their group, Elijah Snow, Jakita Wagner, and The Drummer continue their super-human archeological studies as they visit a hidden government compound full of radioactive human guinea pigs, discover a fictional construct that has been made real and learn of a malevolent group known simply as "The Four." As these investigations take place, Elijah begins to learn some truths about both the Fourth Man's identity as well as his own hidden past. Featuring an introduction by Buffy The Vampire Slayer creator, Joss Whedon!

About this title

Review

Warren Ellis improves on his already outstanding stories and characters in the second collection of Planetary: The Fourth Man. While scraping their way through their investigations, the three archaeologists of mystery, enigmatic themselves, deal with their own past and learn more about the creepy metahumans lurking behind practically every oddity on the planet. Ellis seems to take pleasure in turning superheroic icons inside out. Fans will find references and deconstructions from the Golden Age to the post-postmodern comics world. John Cassaday's penciling adapts itself well to the stories, giving intimate barroom chats and epic battles against giant ants equal credibility. While reading Planetary, one gets the sense that superhero comics really do have somewhere to go after being so thoroughly demolished in the '80s and '90s--and that we'd do well to keep reading. --Rob Lightner

About the Author

Warren Ellis is the award-winning writer of Transmetropolitan, Planetary, The Authority, and the writer and co-creator of the graphic novel RED, which was the basis of two major motion pictures.   He is also the author of the NYT-bestselling novels Gun Machine and Crooked Little Vein.  His newest publication is the digital short-story single Dead Pig Collector, from FSG Originals.

His awards and recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the Eagle Awards Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History, and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative.

Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wildstorm
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1563897644
• ISBN 13: 9781563897641
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144
• Illustrator: Cassaday John