Planet X
Genre:
Science Fiction, Action/Adventure
Views:
12338
Favorite:
46
Login to Add a Favorite
Welcome to a retro-future 1960s where spy games play out across the solar system. From the jungles of primeval Venus to the deserts of dying Mars, Dylan Gunn plays those games better than anyone. In his latest adventure, terrorism, assassination, and underworld rumor weave a web with one chilling conclusion at its center--a sinister power is emerging somewhere in the Martian wastes. Directorate: PLANET X sends agent Dylan Gunn to Mars on a mission to locate and neutralize the mysterious Spider-Queen by any means necessary. But with a growing army of fanatics at her command, and a secret power older than all of earthly civilization, will Gunn become another victim of the Spider-Queen's venomous kiss?
Smektala: It's cool. I don't think there's any right or wrong about how to look at it. We're glad for the feedback. As to the future, we're looking at options for what to do with Planet X after the contest. I'm interested in seeing peoples opinions of the story with more of it in front of them. Watch this space and Jim Shelley's Flashback blog for info as things develop.
Dr. 3, none of the issues I brought up are major. They have to do with my own perception of how a comic like this could be like, which is probably a wrong way to approach things.
I get what you say about Conan and Bond. To restate my point perhaps a bit more clearly, your story starts off as a kind of deconstruction (similar to what Alan Moore did with agent Jimmy in Black Dossier), while both the synopsis and the splash page suggest a throwback.
Still, I like what I see very much and have to ask - do you have an emergency plan in case Planet X is not the winner? I'm really curious about what happens next.
In this case, they were just on the losing end of a political debate, unfortunately one (like so many right here on earth) that involved knives and guns.
I didn't mean to call them scum of the universe. It's just when a martian gets his brains blown out, he's either SOTU or shoplifting from Asda.
Hey, Smektala. Thanks the review and sorry that you found it a little disappointing. I would say that some of the problems you saw were intended. Pulp characters often have this tension about them. When we first meet Conan he's planning to put down a coup (against *his* usurption of the previous king's rule). Ian Flemming describes James Bond in Casino Royale: "His features relapsed into a taciturn mask, ironical, brutal, and cold" as he's going to bed after completing an assassination. Utter bastards have a proud pulp tradition ;)
As a fan of the Barsoom novels, I was expecting to like this a lot. However--
Both the synopsis (which I have read after the fact) and the last page tell me how the comic should feel, but it doesn't really feel that way.
I do not see a hip, pulpy, retro-sixties high adventure. I see a cold-blooded bastard shooting beings that represent a culture he doesn't understand as he follows the bidding of an evil mastermind.
Part of that is the art, I suppose, but the writing is at fault as well. Why not throw in a scantly clad lass about to be eaten by the Martians? That way, I could assume they are a threat. As it stands, they could be the nicest guys for all I know, ambushed on their own homeworld by a laser-totting jerk.
So that's my problem - the inconsistency. But looking past that, I like the art and the build-up is great. Very atmospheric and well done. Just not as advertised ;)
Why do say the Martians are technological advanced, when they're clearly less so than the earthly invader? Why do you hurt their big green feelings by calling them "scum of the earth?" Why do you say that's Jean Luc Picard when its clearly Yul Brynner, or Gandhi, or Daddy Warbucks, or now I'm thinkin' Mr. Clean, or maybe its that other bald famous guy you could name check if you thought a little harder? Why, Why, Why?
Why? Why, why, why? Why did you make the martian big green technologically advanced evil scum of the universe? And why did you put in Jean-Luc Picard?
This is definitely my favorite...very hip...cool....well done. This writer has chops.
Finally got around to reading this. I love John Carter, so even with just 8 pages this is one of my favorite things you guys have done. Kudos and I'm proud to advertise for such a great comic.
cool stuff!
All promise and no content as far as I can see.
*tomstan - Thanks. We'd certainly like to give you more. There are femme fatales, ancient Martian fortresses, and deathtraps on the way!
*MedStud3 - You get an "A" ;)
*ART IZAN - I hadn't thought of those references before, but they work! Glad you liked it
Very nice, reminded me of the old Dan Dare comics with a dash of Barbarella at the end.
This is my favorite! Congrats Dr.3!
Nice first eight pages. Love the colors and the retro feel.
I would love to see more.In my top three.
*Sumon Suggs & Krispy Kerry King - thanks! Glad you liked it.
*RKB: Nice page by page review. Thanks for doing that and glad you liked it. I think there are a lot of John Carter fans around--all of us involved in this project are. You're right about bald men and such positions of mysterious authority--I had O.S.S.'s Control sort of in mind when I wrote the Zero-One character, though he also has some of the attitude of various Number Twos in The Prisoner TV series.
i enjoyed it a lot. Nice art/ colors/ story/ and letters. I also happen to be a fan of the old marvel comic John Carter, so glad to read on your blog their is more than 1 of us out here in internet-land.
***********************************************************
SCREEN 1 Nice looking martians, and i liked to little next page cliff-hanger to see what just crash landed. You only have 8 screens so move the story along. The synopsis was really well written (I always read it first), so you dropped me into the story on screen 1 with no confusion for me the reader at all. That doesn't always happen with the comics on Zuda, so congrats on pulling off some good story pace.
**********************************************************
In panel 3 we see a martians head, not appearing to even hear the incoming comet fire-ball looking thing crashing into the ground. Shouldn't it's head have been turned??? A little nit-pick i know, but i just thought it was weird.
*****************************************************
SCREEN 2 I liked the layout of this screen the way the martians move closer to the canister, nice sound effects too. Of course you gave us a reason to keep clicking to the next screen, what's in that thing??? Well I sort of already guessed it, but still, nice.
***********************************************************
SCREEN 3 i really enjoyed the art on this screen it has a DC silver-age feel to me for whatever reason, never read animal man, but i will probably buy a trade now.
********************************************************
SCREEN 4 Again I enjoyed the layout. I'm guessing in panel 2 the martians said "what is it" "I don't know" and then BANG or, ZING being a laser gun and all nice. I liked the last panel here of Gunn. Really enjoying the art, and pace of the story.
*********************************************************
SCREEN 4 "No" says the Martian. Then he get's taken down too, why didn't the Martian just shoot him, instead of it looks like trying to club him in the head with his gun. I liked the 3 panel 'death-fall' of said martian. i liked the Gunn's P.O.V. in the last panel here and how you can see Gunn's foot in the panel.
**********************************************************
SCREEN 5 It's Gunn!!!, i liked the reveal, i don't mind doing some reading for a comic, but I think not having a whole lot of dialogue here added to the mystery, and made it have more of an impact. Thank you writer, for not walking all over the artist. Some times less is more, sometimes more is more, knowing the difference here says a lot about your professionalism, i think. Nice touch he throws up.
**********************************************************
SCREEN 6 Kick ass a dick tracy style wist-watch, only problem with that it reminds me of the dick tracy in outer space stories -arrgghh!
***********************************************************
I really enjoyed the way this screen was laid out, and the broken up video look of the last screen, very nice transition.
***********************************************************
SCREEN 7 transmission lag, so it's not an instant meassge type thing between them. Makes sense if it's a signal traveling through space, not to mention you could be setting up the whole 'they see a bad guy sneaking up on Gunn, but they can't warn him in time thing' I saw a movie 1 time where the whole tape delay thing was used to add suspense, i hope that is the case here as well.
***********************************************************
Why is it every 'control' style character in comics usually ends up being a bald guy??? I'm thinking of those old o.s.s war stories I read some of in DC's war comics among other's.
***********************************************************
Glad to see another human in the story.
***********************************************************
SCREEN 8 i really enjoyed this screen for the James Bond-esque fell. Ah the last screen title page, and yeah it does remind me of vic boone. No I'm saying you ripped him off, 60's james bond sci-spy inspired a lot of people, and i like reading different takes on it. To copy and past my comments from the Nov. 2008 thread, in case you haven't already read them: identity disc read like a rip off of the usual suspects to me, but that's neither here nor there.
**********************************************************
Aside from the closing title page PX and vic boone had i didn't really see much in the way of similarities. Super cool guy and aliens. PX seemed more about the mystery mars invasion, Vic boone more action/humor and about the character.
********************************************
My would be Zuda script has private security teams fighting lovecraft inspired monsters in Iraq, but aside from a war, and monsters it's not like rumors of war at all.
*******************************************************
If your inspired by something, you can bet a legion of other people will be inspired too, to put their own spin on things.
*******************************************************
The old Captain Marvel got shut down for being a rip-off of Superman, but aside from super strong and flying, the stories didn't have anything in common.
****************************************************
I think I like this month A LOT better than some of the rest of you.
*************************************************
I do like this month's comics a lot and planet x is a big part of that. Aside from a few weird moments for me, everything came together very well in the story, which gets you a 4/5 stars and a fav from me. Good Luck!
Very cool! DIg that alien language font and the 50's looking spaceman stuff. Ray guns are always effective... and vomit. Look forward to the next issue!
Great Stuff
Great Stuff!!!
rudis, information on the Martian Highland Thrull Liberation Front will be sent to you. Welcome to the struggle against earthly oppression!
was i supposed to hate the blonde character? he's the bad guy, right? i mean, you can't go around invading mars and killing martians without being the bad guy, can you? no matter how blonde the hero is, no matter how green the martians are - i'm on their side. i hope they kill blondie.
I liked this Alot. Colors, look n feel, (kinda
Heavy Metalish, which I've always liked), the Action with very little text, the Alien Headshot!. Lots to like here!
Dear Zuda Competitors/Creators,
I’m the creator of the Zuda fan blog, and I would love to interview all of this month’s creators. If you would be willing to answer 5-10 questions, to be posted on the Zudafan blog, please contact me at: zudafan@gmail.com.
Feel free to check out the blog: zudafan.blogspot.com
Thanks!
~Liz
*SpectremanLIVE, PolkaTotz, Psychobabble07, & ej87graphics -- Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.
*infernalbbq - Glad we've got you intriqued! I think anytime you do a genre mashup you're in the territory of commenting on those genres whether you actually choose to or not. We've been trying to be "aware" with PX without ever veering over into parody--but of course that's a subjective thing. I'd be interested in seeing how you think we've done with more of the story in front of you.
A very good strip, folks. The best panel-to-panel storytelling in the group - clean and clear plot flow - each page ending with a hook to make me want to see the next. It was a very close call, but "Rumors of War" just beat you out for my vote, based on it having teased just a few more interesting concepts. I hope you can place this strip somewhere, and I think you should be ranking higher.
Cute, I'm partially intrigued. I think I can see from these 8 panels where the genre sits, but I'm unsure as to the tone. If it's a straight 4-color homage-type work I probably wouldn't buy it, but the possiblity of a subversive take on the genre would keep me reading. Good luck in the comp!
Fabulous work guys! Wooohoo for all your hard work! Can't wait to see more from you all.
Nice!!!! I likey!
I have to confess that I think this turned out EXCEPTIONALLY well! I know that the production process had its ups and downs but you guys should all be VERY proud!
Thanks, majwiz! I certainly hope you get the chance.
Trey, this comic is totally awesome! Can't wait to see what happens next.
I've taken up the Webcomic Witchfinder mantle and mini-reviewed this month:
http://leftyfilmsblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/zuda-mini-reviews-november.html
@miho and @prop127 - Thank you! That cool alien language was created by multi-talented artist Chaz Truog. He drew it on the page, then I used illustrator to turn it into vector art so I could blow it up and reuse it other places. I like it a lot too. It reminds me of the old Legion of Super Heroes Interlac!
@ptimony - Thank you! Like Trey says, I had a few false starts because I wasn't on the same wavelength as Trey initially, but as I saw more examples, I was able to break down all the semiotics of the era. There was some really interesting design work back then!
@TCSmith - Thank you for your vote! We really appreciate it!
I like everything about this comic...but what happens next.
The contrasts you used were great!
Like that the martians have their own language - I can imagine my son going crazy for this comic - Best of Luck!!
You got my vote!
Thanks, ptimony.
I think that's most attributable to JIm who put it together. I had described what I want, and referenced the 60s Casino Royale poster. Jim took a couple of stabs, but wasn't quite getting the feel. Then I sent him images of three choice sixties spy film posters and said "it's sort of like these, but exactly like any of them." He said "got it!" and nailed it on the next try.
Usually I don't like title pages. I think if you only have 8 pages to tell a story, a title page is an extravagant waste... that said, I really liked page 8. It really does have a 60s flair to it, and a sci-fi James Bond feel. I got to page 8 and thought, "OK, now I get it."
I like the comic style and its colors. I like how you invented the language that no one can read and that made me laugh. I was hoping that this alien language would continue until the end. Because it would be hilarious. It would be fun to watch as a cartoon. (^_^)
@Gil Starlin - Man, you're making me blush over here! Thank you for the great compliment. Now if I were only as *rich* has James Cameron! D
@Buche - that's funny you mentioned go-go style, because I was tempted to use the old DC go-go checks on page 8.
@Reverend BLAMO - Thank you for them compliment. Yeah, that's Chaz Truog on the art. He drew Animal Man back during the Grant Morrison run, and his art style is really distinct. Sort of reminds me of Ernie Colon mixed with some Kirby in places.
@thomaschadbowers - Thanks! Glad you could tear yourself away from the terrible beauty that is MonsterPlus to stop by! :)
@margradi - Highlander is one of my favorite movies! You couldn't have picked a better movie to compliment us with!
@Bryy_Miller - I understand where you are coming from. When I saw Vic Boone, I really liked it and hoped it would win. I'm glad it's gotten picked up by Shadowline for the web comics line!
@Planite - It's cool you appreciate the style even if the project doesn't totally grab you. Thank you!
@famished - Sort of like Wild Wild West camp - not Full on 60's Batman camp. Less Roger Moore Bond Camp and more Sean Connery camp if you want to look at it that way. But with more of a serious pulp feel in the action.
**famished says: 60's camp?
Sort of ;) . Maybe just one Batusi with Adam West, before getting down to oh-so serious pulp world-saving. What we're going for was something that could be taken as seriously or as tongue-in-cheek as one was inclined to take it. Certainly, like a lot of sixties TV or mid-era Bond films, we plan to have fun with some of the outlandishness of the premise.
60's camp?
Really cool, i can see they style your going for and can appreciate it. Although not entirely my bag
Too much like Vic Boone. Sorry.
By the way, any comic where someone pukes is great. Nice!
The art is colorful and fun to look at. I like how you don't have a lot of text, because I hate reading. This comic got me right into the action, like "Highlander." Awesome job!!
Great stuff, guys. Love the retro-chic design sense, and the colors look great. Story sets the stage nicely, too... can't wait to see what's next. Good luck!
Great start, need to know more. I want to know more about Dylan Gunn. Perfect for that old school sci-fi look,,,but better, updated. Love the drawing style.
yeah!!! I'm goin' choco-crazy with the a-go-go style with a very nice turtle neck sweter and egg chairs. Good Luck!