"Planet Death" overall thoughts and discussion.

[leonmallett]

So, everyone's only real nitpick is the title of this arc may be misleading??

That's not what I'm saying. Let's look at it this way. While there were more of Valiant's main characters involved, the events of Harbinger Wars were, by comparison, not equal to the scope of the events of Planet Death. Twice as many issues were devoted to Harbinger Wars. Planet Death should have been longer because the scope of the events warranted it. I'll post more on this when I have the opportunity to flesh out my objections, but I'll leave you for now with the point that made me give up on trying to defend the writing:

"Bouldermen from the planet Petros."

Really? That's the best you can do?

[solidsteeze]

Honestly, I feel like it was one of the weaker arcs thus far. It served it's purpose for the story being told, but it read more like a transitional story. I did like the origin of the armor, that was a nice add. I actually enjoyed that the name was "misleading". I personally feel like it would have been out of character for Aric to slaughter an entire planet without seperating the evil from the good in the population. However I wish the story had done just a little more to give me some of Aric's roots. I feel like this title was strongest in the beginning when we were seeing a man displaced in time and space with this newfound power and how he dealt with it. It seems like he has adapted rather quickly to his new status quo, and we're not seeing a whole lot of what shaped him. Now the issues after Planet Death look VERY promising.

Overall I would give the arc a 7.5/10.

[blujay]

However I wish the story had done just a little more to give me some of Aric's roots. I feel like this title was strongest in the beginning when we were seeing a man displaced in time and space with this newfound power and how he dealt with it. It seems like he has adapted rather quickly to his new status quo, and we're not seeing a whole lot of what shaped him. Now the issues after Planet Death look VERY promising.

Overall I would give the arc a 7.5/10.

In defense of the series, that's what we're getting now. I wouldn't say he's "adapted quickly to the status quo" because he has only dealt with the status quo briefly before being interrupted and hoisted off planet. This present arc is more about Aric, his past and the repercussions of his reckless behavior. Where as the Planet Death arc was more about Shanharra and The Vine. You could make a convincing point that perhaps Planet Death came too early, however I feel that by issue 10 we needed to have more information about what the armor is and who the villains are. Logically speaking (and V-Ditti is one logical dude) I think an arc dedicated to expanding the universe was more crucial than an arc developing the character (which you can do at any time)

While there were more of Valiant's main characters involved, the events of Harbinger Wars were, by comparison, not equal to the scope of the events of Planet Death. Twice as many issues were devoted to Harbinger Wars. Planet Death should have been longer because the scope of the events warranted it. I'll post more on this when I have the opportunity to flesh out my objections

I disagree with the assertion that Planet Death should have been longer. In terms of significance Harbinger Wars has more far reaching ramifications and, as you mentioned, characters involved. Where as Planet Death only involved Aric, a few significant Vine and an army of evil Vine. I don't really see why V-Ditti would drag out what is essentially Aric's revenge on his kidnappers.

Although Planet Death is much more "grand" than the Harbinger Wars when you get right down to it the story is simple but (in my opinion) well crafted. Where as Harbinger Wars has 5 factions with interlocking motives for doing what they're doing, it's easy to spread that over many issues.

I think all the necessary points were hit upon in Planet Death: not all vine are bad, the origins of Shanharra, the origins and inner conflicts of the Vine, and Aric still has some kin surviving. The story (regardless of what your opinion of it may be) was very well rounded, and did what it had to do, it got us from point A to point B. Like jmatt says "It's not a surprising read" but it's very logical, and well thought out. I, personally, don't see any missteps in terms of plotting/outcome/character

[solidsteeze]

In defense of the series, that's what we're getting now. I wouldn't say he's "adapted quickly to the status quo" because he has only dealt with the status quo briefly before being interrupted and hoisted off planet. This present arc is more about Aric, his past and the repercussions of his reckless behavior. Where as the Planet Death arc was more about Shanharra and The Vine. You could make a convincing point that perhaps Planet Death came too early, however I feel that by issue 10 we needed to have more information about what the armor is and who the villains are. Logically speaking (and V-Ditti is one logical dude) I think an arc dedicated to expanding the universe was more crucial than an arc developing the character (which you can do at any time)

I'm of the school of thought the character development should be behind almost every aspect of the story. The story should move forward because of the characters, not just have the characters moving forward to progress the story. I feel that's what a writer like Bendis does. He can tell a grand story, but the characters are all interchangable and only serve to tell his story. I don't think V-Ditti is that extreme, in fact I'm really a fan of his. And I think we're getting to the meat of the character now. But I do feel like Planet Death was more of an interlude to character progression, as well as a plot device to set up Unity. Im not bashing the story, just giving an objective opinion.

[blujay]

In defense of the series, that's what we're getting now. I wouldn't say he's "adapted quickly to the status quo" because he has only dealt with the status quo briefly before being interrupted and hoisted off planet. This present arc is more about Aric, his past and the repercussions of his reckless behavior. Where as the Planet Death arc was more about Shanharra and The Vine. You could make a convincing point that perhaps Planet Death came too early, however I feel that by issue 10 we needed to have more information about what the armor is and who the villains are. Logically speaking (and V-Ditti is one logical dude) I think an arc dedicated to expanding the universe was more crucial than an arc developing the character (which you can do at any time)

I'm of the school of thought the character development should be behind almost every aspect of the story. The story should move forward because of the characters, not just have the characters moving forward to progress the story. I feel that's what a writer like Bendis does. He can tell a grand story, but the characters are all interchangable and only serve to tell his story. I don't think V-Ditti is that extreme, in fact I'm really a fan of his. And I think we're getting to the meat of the character now. But I do feel like Planet Death was more of an interlude to character progression, as well as a plot device to set up Unity. Im not bashing the story, just giving an objective opinion.

A fair point indeed, although in my mind it's a bit of an insult to compare Bendis to V-Ditti

Would you agree that the character of Aric was progressed in Planet Death though? Especially when comparing VH1 Aric to VEI Aric. I tend to be of the opinion VH1 Aric would've just eradicated the Vine where as VEI Aric is shown to be honorable, sympathetic and understanding even to a race of aliens who have done nothing but screw him over.

[Carson]

In defense of the series, that's what we're getting now. I wouldn't say he's "adapted quickly to the status quo" because he has only dealt with the status quo briefly before being interrupted and hoisted off planet. This present arc is more about Aric, his past and the repercussions of his reckless behavior. Where as the Planet Death arc was more about Shanharra and The Vine. You could make a convincing point that perhaps Planet Death came too early, however I feel that by issue 10 we needed to have more information about what the armor is and who the villains are. Logically speaking (and V-Ditti is one logical dude) I think an arc dedicated to expanding the universe was more crucial than an arc developing the character (which you can do at any time)

I'm of the school of thought the character development should be behind almost every aspect of the story. The story should move forward because of the characters, not just have the characters moving forward to progress the story. I feel that's what a writer like Bendis does. He can tell a grand story, but the characters are all interchangable and only serve to tell his story. I don't think V-Ditti is that extreme, in fact I'm really a fan of his. And I think we're getting to the meat of the character now. But I do feel like Planet Death was more of an interlude to character progression, as well as a plot device to set up Unity. Im not bashing the story, just giving an objective opinion.

A fair point indeed, although in my mind it's a bit of an insult to compare Bendis to V-Ditti

Would you agree that the character of Aric was progressed in Planet Death though? Especially when comparing VH1 Aric to VEI Aric. I tend to be of the opinion VH1 Aric would've just eradicated the Vine where as VEI Aric is shown to be honorable, sympathetic and understanding even to a race of aliens who have done nothing but screw him over.

I agree. He went there intending to kill them all. He was shaking hands with the new Priest leader by the end of the arc. He actually considers him a friend. If that isn't personal growth, I don't know what is.