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Post by DiscipleofBob on Nov 12, 2012 11:09:22 GMT -5
Can't believe I haven't gotten around to reviewing this yet.
Good work so far. This is yet another franchise I've never heard of before now, so your version will be my first exposure to it. As such, I obviously can't comment on any original takes you may have on it versus the canon.
The first chapter was a bit lengthy and it took me several tries to read through, but by this third chapter the flow is mostly down.
I have to second the expositionary dialogue. It only happens a few times, but it really could be handled better. For example, Anna Hark doesn't really need to know the details about her own company, and you already have the exchange between Drummer and Snow later in the story to describe the company. You're repeating exposition and doing so in a matter that actually detracts from the story.
Granted, that's the only specific example I can find, and as someone unfamiliar with the franchise, the exposition and who's who thread is helping.
I'm genuinely impressed that you're committing to a weekly story, but if you think the quality could be improved by postponing a chapter, don't be afraid to skip a week or two.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2012 12:54:06 GMT -5
Well it's not going to be weekly continuously. I will be doing batches of issues weekly with gaps between the batches. The first batch will be six issues, then I will take a couple of weeks off and do a one off issue before the end of the year. The second batch of weekly issues will start late January and run for 4-6 issues before the next break.
-M
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2012 20:28:35 GMT -5
Planetary #4 Secret Agent Man is live. We will be taking next week off for the holiday, so it will be two weeks until the next issue after this one. Hope you all enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving week all.
-M
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Post by Stardrifter on Nov 19, 2012 23:50:02 GMT -5
This issue was good. Served its purpose and continued the story well. Still a shit ton of characters running about, but it wasn't as overwhelming this time.Keep em coming.
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Post by liquidsword34 on Nov 20, 2012 7:16:40 GMT -5
I do feel a bit overwhelmed by so much happening so fast with so many characters running around. May just be me so I'll give it a re-read later, but issue 4 was just lost on me.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2012 1:45:32 GMT -5
Sorry folks seem to be getting overwhelmed. For those wanting to learn more about the original Planetary series, I would suggest looking at this site: home.earthlink.net/~rkkman/frames/It is a fan site that has a lot of very good resources about the original Wildstorm comic, including character references and issue guides, plus a copy of Ellis' original proposal for the Planetary series from his pitch. This proposal was the reason I chose to do Planetary for UDCU as I read it and thought about other possible directions from that premise and how it could be done if Ellis weren't facing some of the IP restrictions he did publishing it for Wildstorm in the late 90's (before it became part of DC). However, some of the info there is not relevant to what I am doing here. I already have the Who's Who and What's What stuff up in the Planetary Guide, but I will try to provide more background for folks if it helps. To that end, I am posting an annotations thread in the Planetary forum as a sticky. It will basically have my annotations for the issues as I get to them. Annotations for Planetary #1 will be up in a few minutes. I will get to other issues as I can. Warning, these annotations will contain Spoilers. Planetary is a story that will be told in three distinct time periods with a large cast drawn from diverse corners of history, literature, pulp and pop culture. Its understandable that not everyone will be familiar with all the elements it draws from. If you are familiar, well then you won't need the annotations. If you're not, hopefully they will help. They may offer some behind the curtains glimpses of the creative process as well. -M
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Post by unchartedfan1 on Nov 21, 2012 13:22:03 GMT -5
Sorry it took me so long, but I finally got through the first issue.
I thought it was good, but not as good as your 'Tec. Aside from a few proofreading errors at the beginning there wasn't much to critique on the technical side like that. I wasn't found of the opening scene, it just kind of took me out of it, but the issue picked straight up from there. I do look forward to reading Issue #2 and will probably do that later today if I get the chance. If not then I'll do it for sure on Friday or Saturday.
I've only ever read one issue of the original Planetary and I have to say it didn't get me like Ellis' Transmetro. or his X-books. I prefer yours to his at this point, so good job on that. 6.5/10 so far, look forward to issue #2.
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Post by liquidsword34 on Nov 25, 2012 18:26:30 GMT -5
After a re-read it makes much more sense. I like the use of the likes of Holmes and Dracula, it sort of adds a feeling of familiarity with it all even though they've barely shown up. Obviously it's just the introductory arc, so it's mostly set-up, but it all fits together well. I like the annotations, not so much for the plot points (Which your writing is good enough for me to get), but for the little tid bits such as your inspiration for Drummer, the stuff to do with heat, mainly little things the reader isn't likely to notice.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2012 22:08:59 GMT -5
Thanks for everyone's comments. I'll get more annotations up soon, as soon as I do them Reminder Planetary is taking this week off for the holiday. The plan is to return with an issue next week, but we may need an extra week to get back ahead of the eight ball. -M
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2012 2:02:40 GMT -5
Just updated the release schedule. I have a family commitment (Christmas party with my wife's side of the family) next Sunday, so I won't be around to post the issue as it is a good hour commute one way out there and I don't know our return time. Issue 5 has been pushed back to 12/9 accordingly, and the rest of the release schedule adjusted accordingly.
-M
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2012 22:45:00 GMT -5
Annotations for the second issue of Planetary are up as we ramp up to resume Planetary releases. -M
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2012 1:00:16 GMT -5
It's not quite Sunday everywhere yet, but it's Sunday here, so Planetary #5: Any Old Place the Gang Goes is up. Secrets revealed, questions answered...check it out and let me know what you think...
-M
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Post by Stardrifter on Dec 10, 2012 14:45:09 GMT -5
A good issue. I felt the flashback was much better than the present day scenes. The big reveal went by pretty quick without a sense of weight to it. But otherwise good as always. Keep em coming.
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Post by liquidsword34 on Dec 10, 2012 17:19:10 GMT -5
I felt the flashback was much better than the present day scenes. I agree with this mostly because you [MRP] seem very good at writing pieces set in set time periods while making them seem accurate and genuine. Past-Snow has a good voice and the accent and such really comes across without seeming forced.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2012 4:19:33 GMT -5
Planetary #6 is up. It's a little longer than norm but it is our wrap up for the fall season. Hope y'all enjoy.
-M
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Post by Stardrifter on Dec 17, 2012 14:32:50 GMT -5
Good issue. Felt the "cliffhanger" was a bit weak, and there were a number of words used wrong(hear/here, scene/seen), but otherwise great issue.
I still feel like you've got too much going on. The series has a very epic feel. So much is going on and it all feels important, but I also feel like so much is happening that I dont really know any of the characters. It also feels very insular. Like its not part of the shared universe. Though its still young, so I can excuse that.
All that said, I do feel youre the best writer here and this series could be professionally done. I get a tv show feel, obviously. Keep em coming.
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Post by liquidsword34 on Dec 17, 2012 15:49:53 GMT -5
It felt like there were quite a few spelling/grammar mistakes, at least by your usual standard. It wasn't issue breaking or anything even close, but it was noticeable. Still a great issue, as always.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2012 1:18:37 GMT -5
Good issue. Felt the "cliffhanger" was a bit weak, and there were a number of words used wrong(hear/here, scene/seen), but otherwise great issue. I still feel like you've got too much going on. The series has a very epic feel. So much is going on and it all feels important, but I also feel like so much is happening that I dont really know any of the characters. It also feels very insular. Like its not part of the shared universe. Though its still young, so I can excuse that. All that said, I do feel youre the best writer here and this series could be professionally done. I get a tv show feel, obviously. Keep em coming. It felt like there were quite a few spelling/grammar mistakes, at least by your usual standard. It wasn't issue breaking or anything even close, but it was noticeable. Still a great issue, as always. Yeah, my bad. I was having trouble sleeping and decided to use the time to do final proofs and the results were less than spectacular. (Note to self, stop editing when bleary-eyed and overtired). I did another pass on the issue and reposted it a short bit ago. Thanks for pointing out my whiffs, I have no one to blame but myself for missing them. I appreciate the compliment Stardrifter, but really I still feel ike I am still learning my craft as a writer, at least as far as fiction is concerned. Every issue, every scene, every character poses a challenge to me that I wrestle with, and hopefully I continue to grow as I face each challenge. Your comments do help me keep plugging away though. As for being insular to the rest of the UDCU, I hear you. I think there are several factors to that though, foremost is that they has not been a lot of connective tissue between series in the new UDCU yet. Just about every series seems insular so far. Part of it is that the relaunch hasn't fully found its footing yet and is still shaking itself out-most series haven't gotten second issues out yet, and those that have are all dealing with a) lots of world-building in the past; b) events somewhere other than Earth-other worlds, other dimensions, etc or c) have had a very narrow focus and haven't looked beyond that yet. Unlike the previous UDCU take, we don't have authors shepherding multiple titles yet, layingthat connective tissue, we don't have writers collaborating on co-written books yet to build on what was in solo books and make ties across the board yet, and in some cases people are reluctant to reach out to other writers to make plans because some books are not firmly entrenched enough to be considered reliable yet and it is a pain in the ass to constantly switch gears when you make plans with a writer who then disappears for a while or for good even. With the holidays and such, its still too soon to tell what will stick around and what will be in the wind yet. But to make matters worse for Planetary in that regard, it is intended to be what is happening behind the curtains of the UDCU. The traditional super-heroes are the great and powerful Oz, the secret history is what's going on behind the scenes. The Authority, which is intended to be a complimentary title to Planetary, will have much more overt ties to the greater UDCU. As always though, writers interested in working on some of those ties or using elements of the secret history in their titles, or who have events they would like me to incorporate into the secret history more blatantly can feel free to PM me and we can talk. -M
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2013 3:41:04 GMT -5
Ok future plans for Planetary have been morphing, which is part of the reason for the extended hiatus. Look for the winter season soon, with Planetary #7. Solicitations will be up when the first draft is done and awaiting editing-the issue has shifted a few times so soliciting it before it takes its final form is kind of pointless...(unlike a certain publisher whose initials are DC who has no compunction about soliciting a book then changing the content and creative team...) -M
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2013 21:31:57 GMT -5
Planetary will resume with #7 in either late February or March. In the meantime, enjoy a pair of Authority/Planetary Specials in January and February that will reveal a bit more of the secret history that Elijah Snow has been digging into for most of his life.
Then return as we move into Act Two of the Return of Mongo Saga.
-M
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