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A lot of us grew up with the famous green mullet and the catchphrase “The Power Is Yours.” The ’90s cartoon Captain Planet and the Planeteers was a staple, but Captain Planet #5, from the creative team of David Pepose, Eman Casallos, and more, is an absolute banger. It doesn’t just play into nostalia; it deepens the characters and raises the stakes in a way that continues to feels incredibly relevant today.

This issue wastes no time, dropping us right into a dramatic flashback. We’re in Ghana with a young Kwame, the Planeteer of Earth. In a powerful, heartbreaking scene, he’s caught in a raging forest fire, trying to save a little girl named Abena. Pepose does a fantastic job using this moment to show us exactly why Kwame is so selfless and determined. It’s a traumatic event that shaped him into the hero he is, and it immediately sets him apart from the monster he’s about to face.

That monster is none other than Captain Pollution, the ultimate dark mirror to Captain Planet. In this series, he’s the transformed evil billionaire Lucian Plunder, and his whole vibe is chilling. As Plunder, he was a corporate king who could manipulate governments. Now, with his twisted synthetic rings, he’s a “god” controlling radiation, heavy metals, acid, and even hate. He’s not some cartoon villain cackling about pollution; he genuinely believes he’s a liberator, returning the planet’s power to humanity, even if it means drowning a city of “rabble” to do it. His motivations here are complex and fascinating, making him a far more compelling villain than the old-school eco-baddies.

While Captain Pollution and Kwame are locked in an epic, philosophical battle in a flooded New York City, the rest of the Planeteers are in their own fights. Linka and Gi team up, using their wit and powers to rescue civilians from a storm by hijacking Plunder’s private jet. Their banter is a highlight, with Gi sarcastically complaining about “post-apocalyptic water-bending” even as she’s doing it. Meanwhile, Wheeler and Ma-Ti are on a perilous mission to get Wheeler’s ring back from Plunder Tower, dodging henchmen led by the formidable Commander Bleak. The teamwork and playful jabs between all the Planeteers make them feel like a real friendship, not just a group of kids with rings (even though they haven’t known each other for long).

The true core of this issue is the high-stakes debate between Kwame and Captain Pollution. As they throw punches, they trade philosophies. Captain Pollution mocks Kwame’s hope and mercy, arguing that humanity is the one who wanted to poison the planet and “eat each other alive.” But Kwame, battered and defiant, delivers the perfect comeback: “I just needed to buy enough time for my friends.” It’s a moment that perfectly captures the heart of the series, leading into the epic, final-page climax we’ve all been waiting for.

Visually, this comic is stunning. Eman Casallos’s art and Jorge Sutil’s colors are top-notch. The action is dynamic, from the fiery flashbacks to the rain-soaked, crumbling streets of New York. The characters’ emotions are perfectly captured, from Kwame’s pain to Captain Pollution’s maniacal glee. And Jeff Eckleberry’s lettering adds a jolt of energy with bold, punchy sound effects like “SHZRAKK” and “KRAKOOM” that make every hit land.

Overall, Captain Planet #5 delivers in modernizing a classic. It’s a story of hope against impossible odds, a poignant character study, and a full-throttle environmental superhero tale all at once. And with Captain Planet’s triumphant return, this issue leaves us on a major high note, hungry for the final showdown. If you’ve ever wondered how Captain Planet would look and feel today, this comic is the answer. And the answer is awesome.

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A lot of us grew up with the famous green mullet and the catchphrase “The Power Is Yours.” The ’90s cartoon Captain Planet and the Planeteers was a staple, but Captain Planet #5, from the creative team of David Pepose, Eman Casallos, and more, is an absolute banger. It doesn’t just play into nostalia; it deepens the characters and raises the stakes in a way that continues to feels incredibly relevant today.

This issue wastes no time, dropping us right into a dramatic flashback. We’re in Ghana with a young Kwame, the Planeteer of Earth. In a powerful, heartbreaking scene, he’s caught in a raging forest fire, trying to save a little girl named Abena. Pepose does a fantastic job using this moment to show us exactly why Kwame is so selfless and determined. It’s a traumatic event that shaped him into the hero he is, and it immediately sets him apart from the monster he’s about to face.

That monster is none other than Captain Pollution, the ultimate dark mirror to Captain Planet. In this series, he’s the transformed evil billionaire Lucian Plunder, and his whole vibe is chilling. As Plunder, he was a corporate king who could manipulate governments. Now, with his twisted synthetic rings, he’s a “god” controlling radiation, heavy metals, acid, and even hate. He’s not some cartoon villain cackling about pollution; he genuinely believes he’s a liberator, returning the planet’s power to humanity, even if it means drowning a city of “rabble” to do it. His motivations here are complex and fascinating, making him a far more compelling villain than the old-school eco-baddies.

While Captain Pollution and Kwame are locked in an epic, philosophical battle in a flooded New York City, the rest of the Planeteers are in their own fights. Linka and Gi team up, using their wit and powers to rescue civilians from a storm by hijacking Plunder’s private jet. Their banter is a highlight, with Gi sarcastically complaining about “post-apocalyptic water-bending” even as she’s doing it. Meanwhile, Wheeler and Ma-Ti are on a perilous mission to get Wheeler’s ring back from Plunder Tower, dodging henchmen led by the formidable Commander Bleak. The teamwork and playful jabs between all the Planeteers make them feel like a real friendship, not just a group of kids with rings (even though they haven’t known each other for long).

The true core of this issue is the high-stakes debate between Kwame and Captain Pollution. As they throw punches, they trade philosophies. Captain Pollution mocks Kwame’s hope and mercy, arguing that humanity is the one who wanted to poison the planet and “eat each other alive.” But Kwame, battered and defiant, delivers the perfect comeback: “I just needed to buy enough time for my friends.” It’s a moment that perfectly captures the heart of the series, leading into the epic, final-page climax we’ve all been waiting for.

Visually, this comic is stunning. Eman Casallos’s art and Jorge Sutil’s colors are top-notch. The action is dynamic, from the fiery flashbacks to the rain-soaked, crumbling streets of New York. The characters’ emotions are perfectly captured, from Kwame’s pain to Captain Pollution’s maniacal glee. And Jeff Eckleberry’s lettering adds a jolt of energy with bold, punchy sound effects like “SHZRAKK” and “KRAKOOM” that make every hit land.

Overall, Captain Planet #5 delivers in modernizing a classic. It’s a story of hope against impossible odds, a poignant character study, and a full-throttle environmental superhero tale all at once. And with Captain Planet’s triumphant return, this issue leaves us on a major high note, hungry for the final showdown. If you’ve ever wondered how Captain Planet would look and feel today, this comic is the answer. And the answer is awesome.