Tag Archives: derek kolstad

Planet Death #0 delivers the action and is a visual treat but it’s thin on story

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Millions of miles from home, hundreds of ships descend into the stormy atmosphere of a hostile frozen world. On board, an army of resolute men and women brace for the coming assault. They are an invasion force, on an impossible mission — destroy the devastating enemy weapon garrisoned below. Corporal Scott and his battalion are in the vanguard but the human forces are no match for their brutal alien adversaries. Scott’s battalion is dead within moments. He is its lone survivor. The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost.

Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly. Locked in his suit of full combat battle armor, sustained only by what he can carry, and driven by Earth’s wrath, Scott must do by himself what an entire army could not.

Destroy the weapon.

Return home.

Story: Derek Kolstad and Robert Venditti
Art: Tomas Giorello
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Tom Napolitano

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Midtown Comics
Third Eye Comics

Planet Death #0 is a heavy metal trailer to this summer’s upcoming blood and guts, power armor and big-ass guns blockbuster comic

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Planet Death #0

Planet Death #0 is a heavy metal trailer to this summer’s upcoming blood and guts, power armor and big-ass guns blockbuster comic from writers Derek Kolstad and Robert Venditti and artists Tomas Giorello and Dave Stewart. The plot is simple: a group of human soldiers land on an alien planet to destroy a mysterious weapon and face incredible resistance while one of their own is being held hostage by the extraterrestrials. In this preview issue, Kolstad and Venditti don’t weigh the reader down with exposition or heavy world-building, but dive straight into the action giving a glimpse of what to expect in future issues.

Giorello’s line art and Stewart’s brash color palette are the stars of Planet Death #0. Most of the comic uses wide screen compositions with the occasional inset panel to show the details of the soldiers being literally welded into their power armor or reactions to the carnage from the human soldiers before they die gruesome deaths. Stewart’s color choices are like a blast from one of the soldiers’ rifles: green, orange, and red exploding. Coupled with Tom Napolitano special effects lettering, this is a comic that knows it’s a comic and not an illustrated screenplay for an upcoming sci-fi blockbuster. (Planet Death would make a great, expensive movie though.) In fact, the details in Tomas Giorello and Dave Stewart’s visuals are what populates this brave new fictional universe with Kolstad and Venditti keeping their text spare and additive. Each caption box adds to the feeling of unease as a battalion of highly trained, tech enhanced soldiers are about to go to their deaths.

The goal of Planet Death #0 is to set up the unstoppable force that the protagonist of the book must face to complete his mission. There are multiple pages of well-trained and well-armed space marine-type fighters attacking the planet, but they’re no match for the denizens of Planet Death. Heavy casualties is an understatement, and the results are like if the Rebels in Star Wars did a full frontal assault on the Death Star instead of finding an exhaust port shaped opening for a farm boy in a single fighter. The poses and multiplicity of splash page type image reminds me of early Image Comics (And Planet Death is apparently the best-selling single issue comic since Brandon Choi and Jim Lee’s WildC.A.T.S. #1.), but Giorello is both a strong storyteller and creator of posters that would look cool in your local metalhead’s living room. There is an air of futility to the events of Planet Death #0 that hook you in like dying in an early level of a video game and wanting to come back and try harder next time. I’m really rooting for these space marines to take out these aliens, but hopefully, I’ll learn more about both sides’ motivations or psyches in the upcoming series. But as long as there’s kick-ass fight scenes, bring it on!

Planet Death #0 sets up a grim, violent military sci-fi yarn with overwhelming odds and well-choreographed action and compelling vehicle and weapon designs from Tomas Giorello. It doesn’t reinvent the genre by any means, but synthesizes its influences and leans on the visual shock and awe of the comics to make for fun, yet harrowing summer read.

Story: Derek Kolstad and Robert Venditti Art: Tomas Giorello
Colors: Dave Stewart Letters: Tom Napolitano
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.9 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy

Bad Idea provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Midtown Comics – Third Eye Comics

Preview: Planet Death #0

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Planet Death #0

Written by DEREK KOLSTAD & ROBERT VENDITTI
Art & Cover by TOMÁS GIORELLO
$1.99 | 24 PGS. | FULL COLOR | ON SALE APRIL 30, 2025

PLANET DEATH #0, the comic that broke all the records with a whopping print run of 909,560 copies is storming comic shops this Wednesday, April 30th!

Millions of miles from home, hundreds of ships descend into the stormy atmosphere of a hostile frozen world. On board, an army of resolute men and women brace for the coming assault.

They are an invasion force, on an impossible mission — destroy the devastating enemy weapon garrisoned below. Corporal Scott and his battalion are in the vanguard but the human forces are no match for their brutal alien adversaries. Scott’s battalion is dead within moments. He is its lone survivor. The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost.

Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly. Locked in his suit of full combat battle armor, sustained only by what he can carry, and driven by Earth’s wrath, Scott must do by himself what an entire army could not.

Destroy the weapon.

Return home. 

PLANET DEATH is the massive sci-fi comic book event from blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad (JOHN WICK motion picture franchise), New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (SUPERMAN ‘78, GREEN LANTERN), visionary artist Tomás Giorello (STAR WARS, CONAN) and ten-time Eisner Award-winner Dave Stewart.

Planet Death #0

Bad Idea announces over 900,000 copies printed of Planet Death #0

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Bad Idea has announced that the explosive debut issue of the upcoming sci-fi epic Planet Death has set a massive final print run of 909,560 copies — including 818,850 copies ordered by comic book retailers and an additional 90,800 reserved for comps, damages, and promotional use. 

That total reflects significant commitments from top retailers taking major positions for Free Comic Book Day — including New Dimension Comics, Midtown Comics, Third Eye Comics, Bedrock City Comics, Collector’s Paradise, Borderlands Comics & Games, DCBS, and Atomic Empire.

Early orders for Planet Death #0 had already rocketed past 655,000 — smashing records and marking the biggest independent comic debut in three decades, – a feat not seen since Jim Lee’s WildC.A.T.s #1 broke the million-copy barrier during Image Comics’ explosive launch in 1992.

Planet Death is written by Derek Kolstad and Robert Venditti with art by Tomás Giorello, lettering by Tom Napolitano, and color by Dave Stewart.

Arriving in stores later this month on April 30th, Planet Death #0 is strategically timed and priced to capitalize on the biggest single day in comic book retail — Free Comic Book Day — hitting just days later on Saturday, May 3rd.

Planet Death marks a turning point for Bad Idea — the first time one of their comics will reach every comic book store worldwide, thanks to newly forged distribution deals with Lunar Distribution, Diamond UK, and Universal Distribution. Previously, Bad Idea self-distributed only to 250 elite Destination Stores.

Planet Death #0

Planet Death #0 has 655,000 copies ordered… so far

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Bad Idea has announced that the debut issue of the upcoming sci-fi epic Planet Death has sold 655,000 copies, making it the largest selling independent comic book in over 30 years, since Jim Lee’s WildC.A.T.S. #1 in 1992. Planet Death #0, arrives in stores on April 30th and is timed to take advantage of the largest single retail day in comics — Free Comic Book Day — the following Saturday, May 3rd.

Planet Death marks the first time a Bad Idea comic is being distributed, via Lunar Distribution, wide, to all comic shops. Planet Death #0 is still currently in its solicitation period in which comic stores place their orders and the final sales count is expected to climb even higher. The current total represents orders from stores that have taken a position early. Major orders have been placed by New Dimension Comics, Third Eye Comics, Bedrock City Comics, Collector’s Paradise, Borderlands Comics and Games, DCBS, and Atomic Empire.

The all-new Bad Idea Prestige Format limited series is co-written by blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad, creator and writer of the internationally acclaimed, box office dominating motion picture franchise John Wick, as well as the multi-award winning action-thriller Nobody and its upcoming sequel for Universal Studios, and New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti with visionary artist Tomás Giorello and ten-time Eisner Award-winning colorist Dave Stewart.

Millions of miles from home, hundreds of ships descend into the stormy atmosphere of a hostile frozen world. On board, an army of resolute men and women brace for the coming assault.

They are an invasion force, on an impossible mission — destroy the devastating enemy weapon garrisoned below. Corporal Scott and his battalion are in the vanguard but the human forces are no match for their brutal alien adversaries. Scott’s battalion is dead within moments. He is its lone survivor. The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost.

Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly. Locked in his suit of full combat battle armor, sustained only by what he can carry, and driven by Earth’s wrath, Scott must do by himself what an entire army could not.

Destroy the weapon.

Return home.

Planet Death #0

Joe Quesada and Amazing Comics Tease Projects with Garth Ennis, Steven Paul Judd, Derek Kolstad, Christopher Priest, Esad Ribic, Joe Strączyński, Ethan Sacks, Ryan Stegman, and Ronan Toulhoat

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Amazing Comics

Legendary comic book writer, artist, and former Editor-in-Chief and Chief Creative Officer at Marvel Entertainment Joe Quesada has ambitious plans for his new venture, Amazing Comics. At the Angoulême International Comics Festival, Quesada has teased the upcoming slate of top-secret titles for the start-up publisher, which will feature comic books written by some of the biggest names in the entertainment and comic book industries, including: 

  • Derek Kolstad, the writer and creator of John Wick and Nobody;
  • J. Michael Straczynski, the creator of Babylon 5, co-writer of the TV series Sence8, screenwriter of Clint Eastwood’s Changeling and the MCU Thor film; 
  • Steven Paul Judd, the writer on Dark Winds and Echo television shows; 
  • Christopher Priest, legendary writer of Black Panther and Deadpool for Marvel Comics;
  • Garth Ennis, writer and co-creator of The Boys and Preacher comic books;
  • Ethan Sacks, writer of Star Wars for Marvel Comics and co-writer of the acclaimed Image Comics series A Haunted Girl; 
  • Charles Dorfman, writer and director of Barbarians, was an Associate Producer on the Academy Award-winning The King’s Speech and producer of the Oscar-nominated The Lost Daughter.

Upcoming Amazing Comics will be illustrated by all-star artists, including Quesada himself, as well as:

  • Esad Ribic, artist on Marvel’s Secret Wars, Silver Surfer: Requiem, X-Men and Thor for Marvel Comics;
  • Ryan Stegman, artist on Venom, The King in Black, X-Men, Vanish, and Missionary
  • Ronan Toulhoat, artist of the immensely popular European albums Daemon and Dog Head

Amazing Comics will work with Mad Cave Studios and Dupuis to publish and distribute titles on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Amazing Comics’ inaugural title, Disciple, was announced last year at Comic-Con International in San Diego. Quesada and Dorfman will co-write the much-anticipated reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Dorfman will be making his comics debut with the series illustrated by Quesada and inker Wade von Grawbadger, with colorist Richard Isanove and letterer Joe Caramagna.

Disciple

NYCC 2024: Bad Idea announces a Planet Death signing with Robert Venditi, Joe Quesada and John Wick’s screenwriter Derek Kolstad

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Bad Idea has announced that Saturday’s monster Planet Death signing event just got bigger!

Blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad, creator and writer of the internationally acclaimed, box office dominating motion picture franchise John Wick, as well as the multi-award winning action-thriller Nobody and its upcoming sequel for Universal Studios, will join New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti and living legend Joe Quesada for an event signing.

The trio behind Planet Death will be signing an ultra high-end 11×17 lithograph of Quesada’s incredible triple cover for the upcoming Bad Idea Prestige Format limited series which begins in March.

One (1) Joe Quesada Wraparound, Gatefold Planet Death Triptych Lithograph will be given to every attendee of the signing. The lithograph is only avaliable at this signing.
The Planet Death signing event takes places at booth (3421) on Saturday, October 19th at 4:15pm (immediately following the Bad Idea panel).

SDCC 2024: Bad Idea reveals its Planet Death trailer!

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The Bad Idea Panel at San Diego Comic-Con debuted a brand-new Planet Death trailer, now you can see it for yourself! 

Planet Death is from screenwriter Derek Kolstad, writer Robert Venditti, and artist Tomás Giorello.

Millions of miles from home, hundreds of ships descend into the stormy atmosphere of a hostile frozen world. On board, an army of resolute men and women brace for the coming assault. 
 
They are an invasion force, on an impossible mission — destroy the devastating enemy weapon garrisoned below. Corporal Scott and his battalion are in the vanguard but the human forces are no match for their brutal alien adversaries. Scott’s battalion is dead within moments. He is its lone survivor. The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost. 
 
Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly. Locked in his suit of full combat battle armor, sustained only by what he can carry, and driven by Earth’s wrath, Scott must do by himself what an entire army could not. 
 
Destroy the weapon. 
 
Return home.

SDCC 2024: Bad Idea announces its star-studded panel and Planet Death giveaway!

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Bad Idea has revealed details about its panel taking place during San Diego Comic-Con at 2:30pm on Saturday July 27th in room 24ABC

Panelists include the creative team behind Planet Death, the forthcoming, monumental comic event announced just last week. Meet blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad, New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti, and visionary artist Tomás Giorello as they discuss story details and reveal new art from the much-anticipated book.

Among those joining them on stage are superstar writer Matt Kindt, Bad Idea impresario Dinesh Shamdasani, and fan favorite, Bad Idea Bobby. The panelists will be announcing several new series from the upcoming slate of comic books, unveiling brand-new art, answering questions from the audience and giving away a SDCC exclusive Planet Death comic to attendees.

Get a first look at Planet Death at the Bad Idea SDCC panel with the Planet Death: San Diego Comic-Con Edition! A limited edition comic book featuring never before seen Planet Death art, interviews with a battalion of Bad Idea creators, announcements of new comic books and a host of insider information.

Planet Death

SDCC 2024: John Wick’s Derek Kolstad joins Robert Venditti, Tomás Giorello, and Bad Idea for Planet Death

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Bad Idea has announced that blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad, creator and writer of the internationally acclaimed, box office dominating motion picture franchise John Wick, as well as the multi-award winning action-thriller Nobody and its upcoming sequel for Universal Studios, will join New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti and visionary artist Tomás Giorello for Planet Death – an all-new Prestige Format limited series beginning in March.

Millions of miles from home, hundreds of ships descend into the stormy atmosphere of a hostile frozen world. On board, an army of resolute men and women brace for the coming assault.

They are an invasion force, on an impossible mission — destroy the devastating enemy weapon garrisoned below. Corporal Scott and his battalion are in the vanguard but the human forces are no match for their brutal alien adversaries. Scott’s battalion is dead within moments. He is its lone survivor. The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost.

Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly. Locked in his suit of full combat battle armor, sustained only by what he can carry, and driven by Earth’s wrath, Scott must do by himself what an entire army could not.

Destroy the weapon.

Return home.

Fans at this month’s San Diego Comic-Con will get a first look on Saturday, July 27th at 2:30pm with a Planet Death convention exclusive that will be given to attendees of the Bad Idea panel in room 24ABC at the world-famous show.

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