Captain Planet is heading into a new era courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment, and with it comes a major redesign. The environmental crusader has been absent from the pop culture landscape for over 30 years. In that time, Captain Planet’s message has become even more relevant, and now he is returning in a new ongoing title from Dynamite, and the publisher has provided fans with an exciting first look.
Captain Planet #1 will be written by David Pepose, who currently pens Dynamite’s Space Ghost monthly, and drawn by Eman Casallos. The publisher provided Casallos’ character sketches, showing the redesigned Captain Planet and the Planeteers. Dynamite has promised the book will be a “faithful modernization” of the concept, and the concept art proves it. Captain Planet can be seen sporting a beard in both the sketches and the preview pages. These pages show Captain Planet in action, saving lives and thwarting the authorities. Dynamite also provided a solicitation for the first issue:
Before these would-be eco-warriors can grasp their own newfound powers in pursuit of environmental justice, they're first going to have to learn to trust each other. It will be even more of a trial by fire experience when Gaia is kidnapped, forcing the inexperienced Planeteers to learn in action against the well-financed might of Lucian Plunder. Their first test against the ruthless exploiters of Earth won't be the hardest, but it all starts here!
Captain Planet's Return is Long Overdue
Captain Planet Carried a Simple, But Effective Message
Created by Barbara Pyle and maverick media mogul Ted Turner, Captain Planet drew attention to environmental issues, such as pollution and ozone depletion. No expense was spared for Captain Planet, as the cartoon boasted all-star voice talent as well as top-of-the-line animation. Fans responded well to Captain Planet, as the show ran for an amazing six seasons, leaving a huge impression on fans, including writer David Pepose, who described Captain Planet as his “personal white whale” and that he had been itching to tackle the character for over a decade.
Dynamite Entertainment is set to make comic book history with the debut of the first ever series starring the legendary Thundarr the Barbarian.
Captain Planet and the Planeteers carried a simple message: that people must come together if they want to make a positive change in their world. The original cartoon featured a multicultural team of young people, each with mastery over an element. They combined their elemental powers to create Captain Planet, champion of Gaia. Dynamite’s new Captain Planet title brings the Planeteers into the modern era by fleshing them out further, revealing their countries of origin and giving them new outfits. The aforementioned redesign of Captain Planet is perhaps the most striking of the revamps.
Captain Planet Is Returning at the Best Possible Time
Captain Planet's Message Will Resonate With a New Generation of Fans
Captain Planet’s return could not have come at a more opportune time, as many of the problems he confronted are still being faced by humanity today–and in some cases have gotten even worse. The climate crisis is spiraling out of control, resulting in massive wildfires as well as unseasonal weather phenomena, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Giant corporations continue to plunder the Earth of nonrenewable resources, and resist the switch to cleaner sources of energy. The environment is seemingly falling apart–the perfect time for Captain Planet to make a comeback.
While fans may debate the merits of Captain Planet’s beard, there is no denying the other redesigns are amazing, and show Dynamite is serious about a “faithful modernization.”
And Dynamite Entertainment is ensuring that Captain Planet’s big return will be a grand one. Artist Casallos has given both Captain Planet and his Planeteers awesome new redesigns. While fans may debate the merits of Captain Planet’s beard, there is no denying the other redesigns are amazing, and show Dynamite is serious about a “faithful modernization.” As Earth’s climate and environment continues to deteriorate, Captain Planet is more relevant than ever before.
Captain Planet #1 is on sale April 23 from Dynamite Entertainment!
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