PLANETARY #1 Special Edition
March 24th, 2009 | Work
The one-dollar promotional "After WATCHMEN" edition of PLANETARY #1 is available in stores from this Wednesday (Thursday in the UK), apparently.
(FAQ: your PLANETARY #27 update)
March 24th, 2009 | Work
The one-dollar promotional "After WATCHMEN" edition of PLANETARY #1 is available in stores from this Wednesday (Thursday in the UK), apparently.
(FAQ: your PLANETARY #27 update)
WARREN ELLIS is the award-winning creator of graphic novels such as FELL
, MINISTRY OF SPACE
, PLANETARY
, and TRANSMETROPOLITAN
, and the author of “underground classic” CROOKED LITTLE VEIN
.
Coilhouse - 20 Nov 09
Every time an issue of the magazine goes to print, things somehow turn Highly Inappropriate here at Coilhouse. This is apparent to anyone who was there on Twitter during the hours of our final revision deadline last night. And it’s only going to get worse before Issue 04’s out. So to celebrate, a video of Miss Piggy singing “Fuck the Pain Away” by Peaches. It’s that kind of day.
[via Shannon]
Brian Wood - 20 Nov 09

Will Blanche, ?The Newly Constructed Towers of the World Trade Center Seen From the South Side on West Street, May, 1973? (via These Americans)
See also: Mitch Epstein, ?West Side Highway, New York City? [looking towards World Trade Center] 1977
Kung Fu Monkey - 20 Nov 09
John Robb - 20 Nov 09
Short Answer: divide it.
It's long been my contention that Iraq was stabilized at an acceptable level of controlled chaos due to a happy accident by al Qaeda (in an attempt to expand/lead the loose insurgency in a new direction). What did they do? They blew up the Golden Mosque in Samara in 2006. This act of symbolic terrorism did indeed disrupt social networks as anticipated, however the consequences were ultimately disastrous for the Iraqi open source insurgency.
The reason for this is it broke the dynamics of the open source insurgency in ways the US and Iraqi government's COIN efforts could not. First, it created a permanent split between Sunni and Shiite insurgent groups/militias. Coopetition ended. Second, it motivated large Shiite militias to start an ethnic cleansing of Sunni areas. This put acute pressure on Sunni guerrilla groups who were too small (by design to avoid US counter-pressure) to defend themselves against large militias operating in the open. The result was an opening, very close to the one I described in my 2005 NYTimes OpEd, that allowed the US to convert Sunni guerrilla groups into militias that were not loyal to the central government (in direct contradiction to its COIN manual).
It's a nice example of the dynamics of many to many conflict, social network disruption, and the development open source counterinsurgency.
See this excellent description at the blog, "Musings on Iraq" for more detail on the ethnic cleansing operations. It also includes this money quote: "the majority of the Sunni insurgency gave up and switched sides to align with the Americans rather than face annihilation at the hands of the Shiite militias, Al Qaeda in Iraq, or the United States."
NOTE: it's pretty clear from the above that social network disruption (either through attacks on symbolic targets or blood and guts terrorism) is like playing horseshoes with live hand grenades. It's ultimately a losing strategy for advancing an open source insurgency. Social network disruption is very likely to break standing order 6: don't fork the insurgency.
Girl Farts - 20 Nov 09
John Robb - 20 Nov 09
Some random items of interest:
Jean Snow - 20 Nov 09

Beautiful (and simple) site design featuring the illustrative work of Yorifuji Bunpei. Via Paul Baron.
Jean Snow - 20 Nov 09

Coming up at the Kakitsubata gallery in Nakameguro is the show “Kodai,” running from November 25 until December 6.

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What’s this whole “Aprés Les Hommes du Watch” thingy all about, then?
Probably just speculation on which graphic novel will make it to the silver screen. I can only wish it’d be Planetary since there’s no chance of us seeing more of Global Frequency than that illegal screener.
Just wondering, do you find it annoying at all that they’re putting the Watchmen yellow and black, and the clock, on the top of Planetary?
Me wonders if Warren is in any way Alan Moore-ish about his creative works being adapted for the big screen.
Probably not so much speculation on next-to-screen as a cheap cash-in on the theoretical flood of people in comic shops looking for things with a Watchmen logo to buy. If it sells a few more copies of Planetary, good.
huh, my comics shop just pushed this on me yesterday. being the consumerist dog that i am, i lapped that puppy up. woof!
I think the logic goes more along the lines of “Now that you´ve seen this movie adaptation of/is aware of a serious and grown-up and intelectual comic book, here´s a few more titles you might be interested in”. I quite like it, actually.
If people need a post-Watchmen fix, something as smart and funny as Mr. Ellis’ work is perfect.
I guess my question is, why is it taking so bloody long for the next trade collection of Planetary? I’ve found the first three, and that’s it. They’re still in print. Where are the next ones?
I look forward to this concluding. This is a celebration. Of Funnybooks. I love Planetary. It’s Fun. And it’s meaningful. And beautiful. And panels…that vibrate. Thank you. The both of you. It’ll be here when it’s here. That’s alright with me.
It’s something I need to go back and read again. Since Battlestar is over as well now I have a better finale to look forward to, eh? I own ridiculously little Planetary. Issue #26 and the JLA/Authority/Batman: night on Earth TPB. This is a great funnybook for someone after Planetary #1 Special Edition. Nailed every aspect of Batman…vast, entertaining!
iDigress…
But perhaps I should pick this up. Why not. No Hero #5 doesn’t come out for a few more weeks and those cigarettes don’t pay for themselves.
speaking of Battlestar — does anyone else think that Planetary would make a brilliant series for TV or Cable? I’m surprised I have yet to read about the SCiFi channel picking up four seasons of Planetary that will essentially mirror the entire publishing run. Anyone?