Writer David Pepose and artist Eman Casallos give us a stunning and energetic reintroduction to Captain Planet and his Planeteers in the new Dynamite Entertainment comic. This debut issue reimagines the beloved 1990s television show, introducing a fresh team of Planeteers alongside the return of the iconic Captain Planet with a great script and fantastic illustrations.
Earth. Fire. Wind. Water. Heart. With their powers combined, they summon Earth’s greatest champion: Captain Planet. But they need to learn to trust each other first. Gaia, the latest High Priestess of the Earth has been kidnapped! Our Planeteers are forced to come together against the newly formed might of Lucian Plunder! Even with Captain Planet on their side, will it be enough to save the very Earth itself?!?
David Pepose is truly reviving some of the most wonderful memories from days gone by through characters such as Speed Racer, Space Ghost, Jonny Quest, and now Captain Planet. Pepose is reimagining characters from our youth for modern times keying in on the nostalgia we all seek at the moment. He blends timeless classics with our love for revisiting the past. Pepose has an incredible knack from taking familiar storylines and breathing a bit of new life into them while adding fresh perspectives and his own unique creative spin that plays to the originals and exciting new generations at the same time.
The original Captain Planet TV series from the early 1990s was definitely not subtle in its themes, villains, or overall message, but its relevance feels even stronger today. With environmental and social issues more pressing than ever, it seems like the perfect time to reboot the character. It can be challenging to balance entertainment with social and political commentary, but Pepose nails it in the first issue.
In this debut issue, Pepose pushes us straight into the action and adventure you’d expect in a superhero comic, setting the stage with a ton of energy. However, its later in the issue where I found myself more engrossed. The second half of Captain Planet #1 features introductions to a fresh new group of Planeteers in a truly remarkable way. Each character is crafted with amazing backstories and unique locations, allowing us as the reader to connect with them–maybe even more than any previous versions.
Artist Eman Casallos crafts each new Planeteer with stunning visuals. Every new character is given their own feature, showcasing their unique new abilities through beautiful illustrations that vividly capture each elemental power. These amazing depictions set the stage for what promises to be an exciting new chapter in the Planeteers story. Not to mention the wonderful rendering of what our title character looks like–although I will say I miss the mullet.
Captain Planet #1 honors the legacy of the 1990s tv series while allowing a new set of fans to enjoy the character we grew up loving. David Pepose wonderful script and Eman Casallos’ stunning illustrations blend nostalgia with a fresh new look, creating a story that can speak to longtime fans of the series and the new generation of readers. The debut issue packs a power message while also giving us hope for even greater adventures ahead. A must-read for Captain Planet fans.
Captain Planet #1 hits local comic shops on May 7, 2025 from Dynamite Comics.
Captain Planet and the Planeteers, commonly referred to as simply Captain Planet, is an American animated environmentalist superhero television series produced by Turner Program Services and DIC Enterprises and broadcast on TBS and in syndication from September 15, 1990, to December 5, 1992.
Captain Planet #1 Covers
