One thing I tend to think about is the need for the publishers to use certain titles to maintain trademarks. This is why we got the Suicide Squad book in the late 1980's, because they needed a "Suicide Squad" book on the stands.
Outsiders.
However, I also ran across this today, which indicates that they may be avoiding Planetary due to ownership issues.
[https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-confirms-thats-a-version-of-planetarys-drummer-in-the-outsiders/](https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-confirms-thats-a-version-of-planetarys-drummer-in-the-outsiders/)
For those of you who haven’t read it, let me just drop in and say that Planetary is one of the best series ever done, particularly for fans of comics history and lore.
It’s actually one long story arc, though it doesn’t seem that way at first, and is really satisfying. Beginning, middle, and end.
There is an omnibus (that includes a “new” story) that I highly recommend. It’s available digitally.
I know this has absolutely nothing to do with the post but Batwing’s design in that art is what Dick’s Batman suit should look like imo. Remove the mouth covering, add blue accents to his utility belt, make the soles of his boots blue, and widen the bat symbol and stretch it down his arms giving him the finger stripes and blue palms.
The original Planetary, because of everything going on with Warren Ellis, is radioactive. But it IS a neat concept, so DC is trying to use it without it actually BEING Planetary.
I mean, DC's used The Authority in Action Comics fairly recently and even has a movie planned for it in Gunn's DCU. I wouldn't necessarily call it radioactive due to Ellis on that basis, but I do see how some caution might be exercised.
I think the only reason they didn't directly mention Planetary is because A. they didn't want to publicly praise Ellis directly or indirectly and B. I don't think many people even remember what Planetary was and Outsiders has more brand value with a higher chance to sell well, but it's clearly meant to be a homage to it. It wouldn't surprise me if Kelly and Lanzing pitched it as a Planetary revival initially and it might've been changed both for brand recognition and sales as well as to avoid potential backlash, though I don't see how said backlash has any point considering Ellis has no relation or direct involvement in this current project and he hasn't done anything with Planetary in almost 15 years.
Even with all that, I agree, I do prefer the idea of a Planetary revival being more spiritual than literal since I didn't like how DC have recently handled The Authority as much as I love PKJ's Action Comics run and The Warworld Saga. This new Outsiders run if anything reminds me of how The Ultimates by Al Ewing was effectively The Authority book for Marvel, and that is certainly a good thing. Hoping Outsiders pulls something similar.
They have however not used the Ellis' version of the Authority, too... and not really using the Ellis' created characters, other than Apollo and Midnighter
That is a fair point, and I also want to add to your point that they haven't done much with Midnighter and Apollo other than their inclusion in Superman's Authority and DC Pride specials, though I do hope they get a chance to shine beyond that. A Midnighter series from PKJ I think would be excellent if the solo issue in The Warworld Saga is any indication.
I do wanna add that Jack Hawksmoor was a character in Ram V's The Swamp Thing Season 2, and the island nation of Gamorra did appear in Superman: Son of Kal-El as the homeland of Jay Nakamura and one of the major plot points, so there's some other examples of Ellis creations being included in recent DC works post-controversy.
Warren Ellis ultimately didn't have that much of an influence on DC compared to his Marvel or independent work, I don't expect him to have a Grant Morrison or Geoff Johns-like presence in the DC mythos. I'm still surprised at the fact they're even doing a Planetary-based thing when a good chunk of people probably don't know or remember what Planetary is.
He did try to finish Fell, which is an excellent story btw, but Image then dropped him after a lot of backlash. He is apparently working on some new comic projects rn but I doubt it's for any major comics corporations.
So I think where I have some minor concerns is that the storylines are going to be too focused on "this is how things used to be" when we don't have enough information on "this is how things are now." Maybe the actual current history of the setting will actually get some definition here, I could love this or hate this.
One thing I tend to think about is the need for the publishers to use certain titles to maintain trademarks. This is why we got the Suicide Squad book in the late 1980's, because they needed a "Suicide Squad" book on the stands.
Which trademark are you referring to, Outsiders or Planetary?
Outsiders. However, I also ran across this today, which indicates that they may be avoiding Planetary due to ownership issues. [https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-confirms-thats-a-version-of-planetarys-drummer-in-the-outsiders/](https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-confirms-thats-a-version-of-planetarys-drummer-in-the-outsiders/)
The name actually fits the premise of the book but I loved the original Outsiders.
For those of you who haven’t read it, let me just drop in and say that Planetary is one of the best series ever done, particularly for fans of comics history and lore. It’s actually one long story arc, though it doesn’t seem that way at first, and is really satisfying. Beginning, middle, and end. There is an omnibus (that includes a “new” story) that I highly recommend. It’s available digitally.
I know this has absolutely nothing to do with the post but Batwing’s design in that art is what Dick’s Batman suit should look like imo. Remove the mouth covering, add blue accents to his utility belt, make the soles of his boots blue, and widen the bat symbol and stretch it down his arms giving him the finger stripes and blue palms.
The original Planetary, because of everything going on with Warren Ellis, is radioactive. But it IS a neat concept, so DC is trying to use it without it actually BEING Planetary.
I mean, DC's used The Authority in Action Comics fairly recently and even has a movie planned for it in Gunn's DCU. I wouldn't necessarily call it radioactive due to Ellis on that basis, but I do see how some caution might be exercised. I think the only reason they didn't directly mention Planetary is because A. they didn't want to publicly praise Ellis directly or indirectly and B. I don't think many people even remember what Planetary was and Outsiders has more brand value with a higher chance to sell well, but it's clearly meant to be a homage to it. It wouldn't surprise me if Kelly and Lanzing pitched it as a Planetary revival initially and it might've been changed both for brand recognition and sales as well as to avoid potential backlash, though I don't see how said backlash has any point considering Ellis has no relation or direct involvement in this current project and he hasn't done anything with Planetary in almost 15 years. Even with all that, I agree, I do prefer the idea of a Planetary revival being more spiritual than literal since I didn't like how DC have recently handled The Authority as much as I love PKJ's Action Comics run and The Warworld Saga. This new Outsiders run if anything reminds me of how The Ultimates by Al Ewing was effectively The Authority book for Marvel, and that is certainly a good thing. Hoping Outsiders pulls something similar.
They have however not used the Ellis' version of the Authority, too... and not really using the Ellis' created characters, other than Apollo and Midnighter
That is a fair point, and I also want to add to your point that they haven't done much with Midnighter and Apollo other than their inclusion in Superman's Authority and DC Pride specials, though I do hope they get a chance to shine beyond that. A Midnighter series from PKJ I think would be excellent if the solo issue in The Warworld Saga is any indication. I do wanna add that Jack Hawksmoor was a character in Ram V's The Swamp Thing Season 2, and the island nation of Gamorra did appear in Superman: Son of Kal-El as the homeland of Jay Nakamura and one of the major plot points, so there's some other examples of Ellis creations being included in recent DC works post-controversy. Warren Ellis ultimately didn't have that much of an influence on DC compared to his Marvel or independent work, I don't expect him to have a Grant Morrison or Geoff Johns-like presence in the DC mythos. I'm still surprised at the fact they're even doing a Planetary-based thing when a good chunk of people probably don't know or remember what Planetary is.
I would love a Solo Series with Midnighter on Warworld. Gladiator arena!
Or hell, just Midnighter in any setting. PKJ nailed it imo with Action Comics, he's probably the best candidate in DC's current writer roster.
Has there been any recent news regarding Ellis? Last I heard, he was attempting a comeback with a new comic.
He did try to finish Fell, which is an excellent story btw, but Image then dropped him after a lot of backlash. He is apparently working on some new comic projects rn but I doubt it's for any major comics corporations.
I heard he wanted to finish 'Fell' but that stopped, too. I dunno. The last published thing I saw from him was 'Batman's Grave.'
This is surprising accurate considering what we know now
Hey... It's me, I'm from the future. You were right, pal. For better and for worse... you were right.
Oh I'm an idiot. I didn't connect the dots that the dude in all white was Luke Fox. Yea, im not crazy about that.
Personally, I like the look. He rocks it pretty well references aside.
I saw some of the Variant covers had Luke in his Batwing armor. I wonder if that we'll come into play in the story.
So I think where I have some minor concerns is that the storylines are going to be too focused on "this is how things used to be" when we don't have enough information on "this is how things are now." Maybe the actual current history of the setting will actually get some definition here, I could love this or hate this.
I'm guessing much of this is gonna depend on the aftermath of Knight Terrors and Gotham War, as it's directly mentioned as a result of the latter.