Hmm. What can I say about 
Planetary, Vol. 3: Leaving the 20th Century that I didn’t already cover in talking about the first two volumes? It still has strong writing, still has great art and colouring, ummm… still explores the superhero and related genres in a terrific post-postmodernist fashion. Did I ever tell you how awesome the cover art is?Act 3 of the Planetary story art goes WAAY back. In this volume, we are treated to tons of back story. We see how Planetary gets started, learn what’s up with the Hark Corporation, get Jakita’s origin and the identity of the Fourth Man. We go back to the pulps and their origins several times, taking in Frankenstein, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Jules Verne, Tarzan. Ayer’s Rock and the Dreamtime make an appearance. Not to worry, though, the Four are also here, and Thor’s hammer. Great stuff.
About that cover art. One of the things that I love about the cover art is that it is never the same. Each issue, the cover is remixed to give you some indication of the genre within. Are we going back to the pulps this time? Steve Ditko’s funky-psychedelic-secret agent-groove pads from the 60s? Attack of the 50 Foot Woman? It’s all part of the magic of Planetary, and another thing that makes this series one of my favourites.
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