Planetary #11: It’s a Game, Mr. Snow.

While last issue turned cosmic with a parallel look at DC Comics lore, Planetary #11 returns to the mystery right in front of Elijah in a one-on-one sit down with John Stone, Agent of S.T.O.R.M. It’s an important piece of a puzzle we are just now able to come to terms with, keeping the momentum of the last few issues rolling with exciting intrigue.

Ellis begins to unravel Elijah’s scattered past in this issue, but not in the way you might expect. It might just be Elijah and John talking in a bar, but secrets that spill out make this one thrilling read. The series has mostly been rather delicate with sensitive topics to push the narrative forward in any major ways, but those hesitations are quickly beginning to fade into the background as the picture of what’s happened to Elijah gets clearer and clearer.

John helps to navigate the awkward memories that Elijah does have, helping to spur the return of some important answers and shedding light on the more important questions that both we as readers, and Elijah should be asking. It’s clearly a pivotal moment in the series, but for those who might not have followed all of the hidden clues up to this point, it’s also a primer to elaborate on exactly where we stand within the series. The Planetary team isn’t really the focus, they are transitioning to just another piece in a game that is much larger than any of them.

Considering the nature of the issue, you wouldn’t expect this to be such a highlight for the artwork as opposed to an issue like #2 featuring Island Zero. However, the character dynamics in display in this monumental conversation is remarkably compelling and elevates everything that is unfolding. Elijah’s sometimes bewildered expressions and John’s sternness set the tone for a true moment of reflection that capitalizes on the events we’ve seen so far. The use of color shifts for memories is a unique vision and contrasts the neutral tones in their conversation in an enjoyable way, both creating distinction and capturing the flashback sense really well.

Planetary #11 is the type of issue that really forces you into the next one. It’s interesting because I also got that very same feeling from the previous issue, in that something big is coming. I may not have been able to pinpoint it after reading Planetary #10, but this issue ends with a cliffhanger that provides immediate direction and clarity with just a few words. “I know who the Fourth Man is.”

Not many comics can pull off such an intricate mystery while balancing pacing and development and also not forgetting to actually be entertaining. Planetary does a great job hitting all of the right notes and issue #11 shows the team has an expert understanding of when and where to drop the right bit of information to turn this story into an obsession.