Planetary #3

Planetary #3, released in 1999 as part of the meta-fictional series created by writer Warren Ellis and artist John Cassaday, explores the secret history of the 20th century through the lens of pulp fiction and superhero archetypes. This specific issue, titled 'It's a Wonderful World', serves as a pivotal entry that highlights the series' dedication to deconstructing historical comic book tropes, focusing on the dark implications of powerful beings acting outside of conventional morality.

The visual identity of the issue reflects John Cassaday’s signature clean, cinematic style, which was chosen to contrast with the chaotic and often dark narrative threads weaving through the Planetary organization's archives. Upon its release, the series was widely lauded by critics for its ambitious scope and intelligent subversion of genre standards, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of late 1990s creator-owned comics and establishing a dedicated following that appreciated its intellectual depth.