Planetary #8: The Devil’s Empty House

After taking a deep dive into the Vertigo-inspirations in the previous issue, Planetary #8 hits the ground running with yet another sci-fi mystery with much larger implications for Jakita, Elijah and the Drummer. It’s grotesque, but also deeply compelling as we learn about just what happened in this secretive lab full of experiments and who exactly was behind it all.

First, I simply adore the mood that is established early in this book. The Drummer takes a backseat to these events while Elijah and Jakita attempt to sort through what they are looking at. With a radioactive half-life “ghost” of one of these experiments named Allison giving them the rundown on what happened, even these two are reduced to essentially listening to a story through the duration of the issue. There are revelations that come to light, but not due to some incredible investigative techniques, in fact the action sequences with Jakita taking on giant ants gives some insight as to why that was really never the intention from the creative team. This is a story coming to light from what you could arguably call a survivor and the Planetary team shows up to do one thing. Listen.

Except for when the giant ants attack, then it’s okay for Jakita to blow off some steam!

As the details begin to come out about what happened at this lab, the most important bit of information that Allison provides is a name. Dowling. Yes, that Randall Dowling from the Four who were introduced in Planetary #6. We’ve learned some of the results of what happened to the Four and it doesn’t really come as a shock to learn that the minds behind that team were involved in this as well. With Hark involved as well, and the lab protected amidst a shroud of Red Scare paranoia in the 1950’s, we see an interesting duality occurring which fleshes out the overarching narrative while still toying with the notion of 1950’s sci-fi cliches.

From small nods like the man with an atomic snowflake field for a brain to the larger reasons for why Planetary is investigating this lab, the issue pulls off a comprehensive continuation of the series that once again will leave you anxious to dig into the next issue. Planetary #8 might not be the strongest issue yet, but it still hits all the right notes that makes this series so special. I wouldn’t go as far as to say this is a filler, because the consequences of what we see in this issue are sure to come to light eventually in the future, but this issue doesn’t pack as much of a punch as some of the others up to this point. It’s somber and remorseful, but it feels like it’s more concerned with laying the groundwork for the future than anything else. This series seems to operate on a structure of one-shot style issues that tell a larger overarching narrative, so that will always require a delicate balance between telling a complete story and enticing readers into the next one.

The visuals take the spotlight in Planetary #8, with Cassaday and the rest of the team able to do some truly crazy $#*! with the experiments in Dowling’s lab. Creating giants and other out-there monstrosities lets the visuals go wild and the issue is all the better for it. By the time we reach the end, we can sympathize with what Allison has endured and it creates a heartfelt moment to conclude on.

While I am excited to see how the pieces come together with the information we’ve been given in this issue, I can’t help but want more. Planetary #8 is an issue that plays to the series strengths well, but with an ongoing lack of insight into any motivations outside of the investigations led by Planetary it’s difficult to discern the importance at this point in the series.