Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as the first collection, but close
Review: About the story: Elijah Snow, a man with a very mysterious past, previously joined Jakita Wagner and a man only known as 'The Drummer' to be in the three-person formation that is the field-team of the 'supernatural archaeology-agency' called 'Planetary'. An agency hidden to the outside world which researches and maps the secret history of the world, the history that was kept secret to the public eye. All the expenses they make while doing so are being paid for by a person which is only known as 'The Fourth man'. Nobody knows who he/she is or what he/she looks like. In this book some mysteries that were brought up in the previous volume get worked out. For example, we get to learn of the man who was the third man in the agency before Elijah, we learn a lot more about Elijahs past, and most important, we find out who 'The Fourth Man' is. Next to that more is revealed about "The Four", we get to learn members of the agency in other parts of the world (in a VERY good issue, especially for people who like 'Hellblazer') and we get a clue of how exactly the power-balance lays. Off course next to solving existing mysteries the book also throws up some new questions for us to break our heads on.This book (which collects #7-12) is a very worthy successor of "All over the World" although I enjoyed the first book just a tad more. The issues in here are for a big part a mighty fast read and unlike book 1 there are some mysteries in here which are explained just a little too over-fantastic. Then again, the twining of different parts of the storyline is better here than it was before and the final issue in this TPB makes the most impact of all the issues in the series so far. The art is by the same artist and as good as in the previous volume. All in all it IS another good volume and the series is still at full-power. I highly suggest you get the first volume first though because otherwise I'm affraid you'll feel thrown into the deep, bigtime. I also want to add that people who enjoy 'Hellboy' must be sure to at least try out the first volume because the simularities in the theme and atmosphere are notable and Planetary is AT LEAST as well executed.
Rating:
Summary: Starts Slow, Ends Big...can't wait for Book 3!!!
Review: After the stellar "Planetary, Book I" I had high hopes for this hard to find follow-up. It does not quite deliver the punch of the first, but it serves admirably to set up book 3. It starts off with a dissapointing story, but gets better with each chapter and finishes quite strong. Ellis continues to recast familiar comics lore in his "X-Files on steroids" world of Planetary (in Book 2 he tackles Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the origin of Superman, Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D., giant ants from the sci-fi flick "Them", and cameos of characters who resemble Swamp Thing, Cyclops, the Impossible Man, Medusa, C3PO and others in Chapt. 1). If you liked the first, its worth getting a hold of this one and by all means get in line for the 3rd book!
Also recommended: Kurt Busiek's "Astro City " series.
Rating:
Summary: The War with the Four Begins,....
Review: As the comic book series collected here has been plagued by interminable delays trade hardcover and paperback collections are likely the best way to follow the story of Elijah Snow as je seeks to recover his lost memories, and solve the mystery of the incredibly wealthy organization that sends him, the seemingly indestructible Jakita Wagner, and the annoying Drummer, on thier amazing missions. In this volume we finally discover the identity of the mysterious Fourth Man, who bankrolls the efforts of the Planetary Foundation, in it's quest to discover "the secret history" of the planet, and the true agenda of the organization. By the end of this volume, the battle lines are drawn, and we wait with baited breath for the final battle to come. I just wish it would get here. It's been nearly a year since the last issue collected here was published and since then only two new installments of the story have seen the light of day. Intriguing stories, great art, but a drag to wait for,....
Rating: 
Summary: Buy this book
Review: I have often been asked by many of my friends about why a man of my age would even bother to spend time reading a comic book. Usually, my response is to lend them a copy of something by Warren Ellis. In my opinion, this book and the one that precedes it are great examples of the very best that western adventure comics have to offer. Ellis skilfully constructs a hidden history and slowly draws the reader along, often leaving us gasping for more. He satisfies the comic lover with his exploration of some of the genre stereotypes, while, At the same time, giving us a great thriller/mystery that the not-so-comic-versed can also enjoy. All this and great art too. Cassaday really adds immeasurably to the words on the page. This is a strong piece of work that you should really look into.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book
Review: I have often been asked by many of my friends about why a man of my age would even bother to spend time reading a comic book. Usually, my response is to lend them a copy of something by Warren Ellis. In my opinion, this book and the one that precedes it are great examples of the very best that western adventure comics have to offer. Ellis skilfully constructs a hidden history and slowly draws the reader along, often leaving us gasping for more. He satisfies the comic lover with his exploration of some of the genre stereotypes, while, At the same time, giving us a great thriller/mystery that the not-so-comic-versed can also enjoy. All this and great art too. Cassaday really adds immeasurably to the words on the page. This is a strong piece of work that you should really look into.
Rating:
Summary: Ellis hits paydirt again
Review: I have to admit...as a follower of Warren Ellis' work on titles like Stormwatch, The Authority, and Transmetropolitan, I think I'm predisposed to liking his work. However, when people ask me what I like about Planetary in particular, it usually boils down to imagination. Which Ellis apparently has in spades. This second collection of Planetary takes up where the first collection left off, by answering some questions that had been posed in the earlier work and laying the foundation for possible future arcs. Once again, Ellis' trio of mystery archaeologists set about uncovering some of the secret history of the twentieth century. This time, however, a lot of the discovery involves personal quests...particularly in the case of Elijah Snow, who learns more about himself, and in the process uncovers some of the secrets behind the Planetary organization itself. Entitled "The Fourth Man," after the anonymous benefactor whose money funds Planetary, most of the stories in the collection are tautly woven tales that are at once revelatory and enticing. A highlight is the unsettling "Magic and Loss," which is an excellent example of the holding-a-warped-mirror-to-reality motif that powers the Planetary series. Anyone who's ever read and enjoyed comic books (or sequential art) will quite possibly feel mixed feelings of recognition and dread upon reading this story. Ellis works hard to sustain that feeling throughout the collection - and for the most part succeeds. That he does so by utilizing the comics of the past and the socio-historical contexts in which they arose only serves to heighten the effect. It IS a strange world - and here's your chance to see it through some observant eyes. Just read it.
Rating:
Summary: Ellis hits paydirt again
Review: I have to admit...as a follower of Warren Ellis' work on titles like Stormwatch, The Authority, and Transmetropolitan, I think I'm predisposed to liking his work. However, when people ask me what I like about Planetary in particular, it usually boils down to imagination. Which Ellis apparently has in spades. This second collection of Planetary takes up where the first collection left off, by answering some questions that had been posed in the earlier work and laying the foundation for possible future arcs. Once again, Ellis' trio of mystery archaeologists set about uncovering some of the secret history of the twentieth century. This time, however, a lot of the discovery involves personal quests...particularly in the case of Elijah Snow, who learns more about himself, and in the process uncovers some of the secrets behind the Planetary organization itself. Entitled "The Fourth Man," after the anonymous benefactor whose money funds Planetary, most of the stories in the collection are tautly woven tales that are at once revelatory and enticing. A highlight is the unsettling "Magic and Loss," which is an excellent example of the holding-a-warped-mirror-to-reality motif that powers the Planetary series. Anyone who's ever read and enjoyed comic books (or sequential art) will quite possibly feel mixed feelings of recognition and dread upon reading this story. Ellis works hard to sustain that feeling throughout the collection - and for the most part succeeds. That he does so by utilizing the comics of the past and the socio-historical contexts in which they arose only serves to heighten the effect. It IS a strange world - and here's your chance to see it through some observant eyes. Just read it.
Rating:
Summary: Planetary kicks in to a whole new gear
Review: I was somewhat disappointed with the previous volume of Planetary. I felt that Ellis just kind of dropped us into the action without much set up, especially in character development. The Fourth Man really improves upon the earlier premise. Ellis starts to unwind a much larger plot, while Cassaday's skills mature into true excellence. Some of the essentially single issue tales presented here are stronger than others, but each one, while still a distinctly separate story, winds in threads of intriguing future developments. Ellis also effortlessly manipulates time, seamlessly showing us past events while leading up to future revelations. Elijah Snow is a captivating character, deeply enigmatic, charasmatic, yet conflcted. His search for his missing blocks of memory is extremely well handled and really has me hooked and looking forward to the next volume of the TPB series. Cassaday's art, and the rich colors supporting it, is magnificent throughout. His detailed, stylish illustration pairs very nicely with the vibrant, stylish colors. He is one of the very best artists in comics, and this is a perfect example of his best work. Ultimately, Planetary succeeds in updating traditional Science Fiction themes and melding it with Superheros. The result is a fresh exciting look and feel for modern comics. Because of the way the bigger story develops, you don't necessarily have to start with the prior TPB volume. It's certainly worth your while, but if you can only get one of the two volumes right now, get this one. After reading it, you can get the first volume, while you anxiously await the arrival of future Planetary releases. This is some of Ellis' and Cassaday's best work, and great stuff over all from one of the most talented teams in the business.
Rating:
Summary: Planetary kicks in to a whole new gear
Review: I was somewhat disappointed with the previous volume of Planetary. I felt that Ellis just kind of dropped us into the action without much set up, especially in character development. The Fourth Man really improves upon the earlier premise. Ellis starts to unwind a much larger plot, while Cassaday's skills mature into true excellence. Some of the essentially single issue tales presented here are stronger than others, but each one, while still a distinctly separate story, winds in threads of intriguing future developments. Ellis also effortlessly manipulates time, seamlessly showing us past events while leading up to future revelations. Elijah Snow is a captivating character, deeply enigmatic, charasmatic, yet conflcted. His search for his missing blocks of memory is extremely well handled and really has me hooked and looking forward to the next volume of the TPB series. Cassaday's art, and the rich colors supporting it, is magnificent throughout. His detailed, stylish illustration pairs very nicely with the vibrant, stylish colors. He is one of the very best artists in comics, and this is a perfect example of his best work. Ultimately, Planetary succeeds in updating traditional Science Fiction themes and melding it with Superheros. The result is a fresh exciting look and feel for modern comics. Because of the way the bigger story develops, you don't necessarily have to start with the prior TPB volume. It's certainly worth your while, but if you can only get one of the two volumes right now, get this one. After reading it, you can get the first volume, while you anxiously await the arrival of future Planetary releases. This is some of Ellis' and Cassaday's best work, and great stuff over all from one of the most talented teams in the business.
Rating:
Summary: Planetary -- the universal comic?
Review: I'm already a huge mark for Warren Ellis after the Authority, Stormwatch and the first Planetary Collection. This book just put the nail in the coffin of any doubts I had about his talents: as a stroyteller, an artist in the field and a fellow comic lover. Filled with great refrences to, and some hidden jabs at some comic staples and other not so well known comic characters. This is the best trade paperback I bought so far this year. Buy it NOW!.
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