Action Lab Entertainment’s new sci-fi adventure title Planet Gigantic #1 is an anthology type  following two genetically engineered children on a strange world. But will this be an interstellar success or will it fail to lift off from the start?

Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment
Writer: Eric Grissom
Artist: David Halvorson
Price: £2.99/$3.99

Planet Gigantic #1 tells two stories from the titular world. The main story begins the tale of Yuri and Valentina, two genetically engineered children from Earth who, upon crashing the planet gigantic and losing their ‘mother’, beginning investigating their new world and end up rescuing a group of people from a giant rock monster. However, their actions may not receive the gratitude they expected when the queen of the seven realms confronts them. While in the second offering, Lyana the seeker, with her griffin Syd, has been tasked with retrieving the eye in the sun, an artifact locked away in a remote protection. While she considers the task a simple one, it is with this mission that Lyana discovers there are other ways to succeed that are not direct.

Eric Grissom has provided a very entertaining story within the pages of this book which gives off a very pulpy, 50’s serial vibe feeling like a cross between Flash Gordon and the Wizard of Oz. The character development thus far is very limited, but Planet Gigantic #1 sports tight scripts for it’s two stories which allow them to flow nicely and remain enjoyable throughout. Indeed, the resolution of the second story, ends in such an unexpected but welcome and unique way that it makes the whole journey even more enjoyable.

As for the art, David Halvorson provides a style that, while not an imitation of the pulp books the stories channel, does certainly suit the story. Unfortunately, the character detail does appear somewhat limited, although this could be considered a part of the book’s charm. As for the colours, the entire book has a very pastel look with light colours in every panel, which seems to empathise the optimistic, adventurous and child-like feel of the title.

“Colourful, fantastical and unashamedly light-hearted in its execution, this is a book which reads as well as any on the shelves but with the added bonus of not being as dark and somber as many of those others on the Action Lab roster. If you are looking for something which doesn’t take itself too seriously, then Planet Gigantic #1 may just be worth a look.”