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Battle of the Planets (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Battle of the Planets comic book
series was based on a television series of the same name
. It was originally published by Gold Key Comics
, with Top Cow
releasing a number of comics more recently.
form by Gold Key Comics
in 1979
, the series was later revamped by Top Cow Productions
with a new twelve-issue limited series starting in 2002
. The series was originally planned as an ongoing comic, but low sales led to its cancellation at issue 12, which ended the series with a cliffhanger
. A two-issue mini, Endgame (originally listed as Coup De Gras), was solicited in 2005, and was meant to tie up the loose ends, but never made it to print.
In 2003
, there were a number of crossover one-shots starting with Witchblade
. This was followed by two crossover issues with the ThunderCats
; the first (May 2003) was published by Top Cow and the second (July 2003) was published by Wildstorm
.
These were followed by a number of other comics: a Battle Book one-shot, one-shots focused on Mark and Jason, and a six-issue limited series called Battle of the Planets: Princess released in 2004
, which was written by David Wohl
and illustrated by Wilson Tortosa
. Top Cow also published three issues of a manga
version in 2003–2004.
Top Cow's license is now lapsed, and there are no plans for future Battle Of The Planets works from them, including the unreleased Endgame.
:
The Gold Key series:
The Top Cow comics:
Digest
s of the Top Cow comics:
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series was based on a television series of the same name
Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets is an American animated television adaptation of the Japanese anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman . Of the 105 original Gatchaman episodes, 85 were used in the Battle of the Planets adaptation, produced by Sandy Frank Entertainment...
. It was originally published by Gold Key Comics
Gold Key Comics
Gold Key Comics was an imprint of Western Publishing created for comic books distributed to newsstands. Also known as Whitman Comics, Gold Key operated from 1962 to 1984.-History:...
, with Top Cow
Top Cow Productions
Top Cow Productions is an American comics publisher, a partner studio of Image Comics founded by Marc Silvestri in 1992.-History:...
releasing a number of comics more recently.
Publication history
Originally released in comic bookComic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
form by Gold Key Comics
Gold Key Comics
Gold Key Comics was an imprint of Western Publishing created for comic books distributed to newsstands. Also known as Whitman Comics, Gold Key operated from 1962 to 1984.-History:...
in 1979
1979 in comics
-Year overall:* The "Demon in a Bottle" storyline, by David Michelinie, Bob Layton, and John Romita, Jr., runs through Iron Man ....
, the series was later revamped by Top Cow Productions
Top Cow Productions
Top Cow Productions is an American comics publisher, a partner studio of Image Comics founded by Marc Silvestri in 1992.-History:...
with a new twelve-issue limited series starting in 2002
2002 in comics
-March:* Adventures of Superman #600: super-sized anniversary issue by Joe Casey, Mike Wieringo, and Jose Marzan, Jr. -April:* Batman #600: "Bruce Wayne: Fugitive," part one, 64-page giant, written by Ed Brubaker.-January:...
. The series was originally planned as an ongoing comic, but low sales led to its cancellation at issue 12, which ended the series with a cliffhanger
Cliffhanger
A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction...
. A two-issue mini, Endgame (originally listed as Coup De Gras), was solicited in 2005, and was meant to tie up the loose ends, but never made it to print.
In 2003
2003 in comics
-January:* January 2: Kid Colt artist Jack Keller dies at age 80.- April :* Action Comics #800: Double-sized anniversary issue, "A Hero's Journey," by Joe Kelly, Pascual Ferry, and Duncan Rouleau...
, there were a number of crossover one-shots starting with Witchblade
Witchblade
Witchblade is an American comic book series published by Top Cow Productions, an imprint of Image Comics, from 1995 until present. The series was created by Top Cow editors Marc Silvestri and David Wohl, writers Brian Haberlin and Christina Z, and artist Michael Turner.The series follows Sara...
. This was followed by two crossover issues with the ThunderCats
ThunderCats (comics)
The ThunderCats comic book series was based on the original television series of the same name. It was originally published by Marvel Comics through its Star Comics imprint in 1985, lasting for 3 years and 24 issues...
; the first (May 2003) was published by Top Cow and the second (July 2003) was published by Wildstorm
Wildstorm
WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...
.
These were followed by a number of other comics: a Battle Book one-shot, one-shots focused on Mark and Jason, and a six-issue limited series called Battle of the Planets: Princess released in 2004
2004 in comics
-February:*February 6: Marvel Enterprises and Electronic Arts announce a multi-year agreement in which EA will develop a new generation of fighting video games pitting Marvel superheroes against a new, original set of EA heroes....
, which was written by David Wohl
David Wohl
David Wohl is an American comic book writer and editor. He is best known as an editor at Marvel Comics and Top Cow Productions and, at the latter, writing The Darkness and Witchblade.-Biography:...
and illustrated by Wilson Tortosa
Wilson Tortosa
Wilson "Wunan" Tortosa is a Filipino comic book artist best known for his works on Tomb Raider and the American re-launch of Battle of The Planets for Top Cow Productions....
. Top Cow also published three issues of a manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
version in 2003–2004.
Top Cow's license is now lapsed, and there are no plans for future Battle Of The Planets works from them, including the unreleased Endgame.
Collected editions
The various series have been collected into a number of trade paperbacksTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
The Gold Key series:
- Battle of the Planets Classics Volume 1 (140 pages, collects Battle of the Planets (1979) #1-10, Dynamic Forces, 2003)
The Top Cow comics:
- Trial by Fire (collects Battle of the Planets #1-3, 80 pages, Titan BooksTitan BooksTitan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981. It is based at offices in London, England's Bankside area. The Books Division has two main areas of publishing: film & TV tie-ins/cinema reference books; and graphic novels and comics reference/art titles. The...
, March 2003, ISBN 1840236078, Top Cow, May 2003, ISBN 1582402892) - Blood Red Sky (collects Battle of the Planets #4-9, 144 pages, Titan BooksTitan BooksTitan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981. It is based at offices in London, England's Bankside area. The Books Division has two main areas of publishing: film & TV tie-ins/cinema reference books; and graphic novels and comics reference/art titles. The...
, November 2003, ISBN 1840237473, Top Cow, December 2003, ISBN 1582403236) - Destroy all Monsters (collects Battle of the Planets #10-12, Mark, Jason and Battle of the Planets/Witchblade, 208 pages, Top Cow, December 2003, ISBN 1582403325)
Digest
Digest size
Digest size is a magazine size, smaller than a conventional or "journal size" magazine but larger than a standard paperback book, approximately 5½ x 8¼ inches, but can also be 5⅜ x 8⅜ inches and 5½ x 7½ inches. These sizes have evolved from the printing press operation end...
s of the Top Cow comics:
- Trial By Fire ('collects Battle of the Planets #1-9 and Mark, 244 pages, Top Cow, January 2004, ISBN 1582403376)
- Destroy All Monsters (collects Battle of The Planets #10-12, Battle of the Planets: Manga #1-3, Jason and Battle of the Planets/Witchblade, 248 pages, Top Cow, August 2004, ISBN 1582403848)
External links
- Battle of the Planets at Top Cow
- Interview with Alex Ross
- Battle of the Planets #1 "Trial By Fire Part 1 of 3" by the4thrail.com
- Battle OF the Planets #3"Trial By Fire Part 3 of 3 by the4thrail.com
- Battle of the Planets #1 vs. Warrior Bugs #3 Review
- Thundercats/Planets Crossover News
- Christina Chen Witchblade meets Battle of the Planets
- Speaking with Munier Sharrieff: Writer of Battle of the Planets/Witchblade