X-Men, as Earth’s favorite superhero heads for a new reboot that takes a page from Marvel. Captain Planet, who taught a generation to care for the environment, will soon return for his first comic book in over 30 years, courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment. Incoming Captain Planet writer David Pepose has now offered some intriguing insight into the new book, comparing it with a vaunted comics run.
David Pepose is one of comics' fastest rising stars, also writing Space Ghost for Dynamite.
In the latest installment of Dynamite Dispatches, appearing in select Dynamite titles, Captain Planet scribe David Pepose was interviewed about the book. The book will be drawn by Eman Casallos, and will ship with a variety of variant covers. Pepose, when asked about the dynamic between Captain Planet as well as the rest of the Planeteers, had this to say:
Honestly, Captain Planet's core cast is my favorite part of the entire series, and it's the main reason why I wanted to write this book so badly. This new take is very much an origin story of how the Planeteers first met, and seeing how their individual personalities and perspectives clash forms the emotional heart of this book. I think the Planeteers play off each other in such a compelling way, in a manner that is every bit as engaging as Claremont's X-Men or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — I'm making it a point in each and every issue, all five of our main characters get their chance to shine, and that everyone gets their own emotional arc.
The Planeteers were drawn from all corners of the globe, reflecting the diversity of humanity–much like the X-Men that Pepose invokes.
Captain Planet, The Crusader of Earth Became An Icon
Millennials Learned Valuable Environmental Lessons from Captain Planet
Captain Planet, the environmental crusader, left an impression on countless 90s kids, teaching them about their relationship with the world around them in a way that respected their intelligence. His show, titled Captain Planet and the Planeteers, aired for a handful of seasons, and boasted an all-star voice cast. The show was lauded by critics, praising it for its messages, which it delivered in a non-heavy-handed fashion. Captain Planet and the Planeteers wrapped up production in the mid-1990s, and while the character seemed to slip into obscurity, he was merely waiting for the right time to return.
The '90s Were Great to X-Men, And These 10 Superheroes Show Why
These 1990s X-Men icons have stood the test of time to become franchise staples, defying many of their chrome-plated, gun-toting, dystopian origins.
In the 30 + years since Captain Planet and the Planeteers debuted, the environmental destruction he railed against has continued unabated. Climate change, a far-off scenario when Captain Planet premiered, is now a fact of life. Wild and unseasonable weather has become the new norm thanks to climate change. Oil spills and other environmental catastrophes dominate the news. Mismanagement of land as well as the shunning of Indigenous management practices have only compounded the problem. In essence, the time has never been better for a comeback for Captain Planet and the Planeteers.
Dynamite's New Captain Planet Some Surprising (But Cool) Influences
The Planeteers and the X-Men Are More Alike Than Fans Think
And Dynamite is ensuring Captain Planet’s big return is worthy of his legacy, by tapping David Pepose to chronicle his adventures. Pepose, who in previous interviews referred to Captain Planet as a “white whale book,” is not only a massive fan of the franchise, but plans to bring to it exciting new ideas informed by some of the greatest comic runs in history. The two runs Pepose name-checked: Claremont’s X-Men and the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, set the bar extremely high for team books, thanks to the approach to interpersonal dynamics their creators took.
Pepose comparing the Planeteers to Claremont’s X-Men is not a case of hyperbole, as there are similarities.
Pepose comparing the Planeteers to Claremont’s X-Men is not a case of hyperbole, as there are similarities. Both teams feature an international lineup of young people from across the world, brought together to fight for a particular cause, be it the environment or mutant rights. David Pepose has seen the common ground between the two franchises, and is bringing the best parts of the X-Men to Captain Planet, namely the focus on the relationships between team . Claremont also gave each member of the X-Men a chance to shine, and to be in the spotlight.
The Planeteers Are About to Get an Awesome Makeover
The X-Men and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Are Excellent Sources of Inspiration
Captain Planet and the Planeteers, by virtue of being a 1990s children’s cartoon, tends to skimp on individual backstories for its characters, which gives Pepose a grand opportunity to breathe new life into these beloved icons. The influences Pepose and his collaborators will draw from are some of the best team books in comic history. Marvel’s X-Men is the gold standard for team books, pioneering new methods of character development, and these techniques will be brought to bear on Captain Planet and the Planeteers.
Captain Planet #1 is on sale April 23 from Dynamite Entertainment!
