David Pepose and Eman Casallos’s run on Captain Planet has consistently put the Planeteers’ backs against the wall, but in issue #4, they face their most daunting challenge yet. With the team in disarray and Captain Planet himself sidelined, the stakes have never been higher. This issue masterfully weaves together action, character development, and a powerful message of hope against overwhelming odds.
In a chilling start, Captain Planet #4 wastes no time setting a tense and high-stakes tone. Gi’s terrifying nightmare of a New York City tsunami is a visceral introduction to the issues the Planeteers face, and it’s a perfect way to show how shaken and fractured the team is. With Wheeler gone, then Ma-Ti following, the team’s dynamics feel raw as they grapple with their frustration and lack of guidance. This tension builds as the remaining trio, Kwame, Gi, and Linka, discover that Gaia is being held captive at the compound of the cunning billionaire, Lucian Plunder. Pepose masterfully portrays Plunder’s manipulative nature, showing how he easily tricks Wheeler into giving up his Fire ring with a convincing, albeit false, promise to “save the world,” leaving the team even more vulnerable.
The action truly takes off as the remaining Planeteers infiltrate Eclipse Station, with the use of their elemental rings feeling both creative and impactful. Gi’s inventive strategy of using an airtight water bubble to sneak her teammates into the facility is a definite highlight. As the team’s raid gets underway, Ma-Ti has a standout moment, reconnecting with a regretful Wheeler before bravely saving him from Plunder’s goons. This issue also features a pivotal conversation between Ma-Ti and Captain Planet. In it, the hero shares some much-needed wisdom about the power of hope, even in a world full of greed and injustice. This moment, at least for me, elevates him to the same wholesome pantheon as the iconic Superman. The issue ends with a shocking reveal, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as Plunder transforms into a terrifying mirror image of Captain Planet, setting the stage for an explosive confrontation.
Captain Planet #4 excels at building on the stakes that have been a core part of this series. The Planeteers are way over their heads, a group of untrained ‘kids’ constantly fighting a losing battle. Yet, they don’t surrender to cynicism. As Gi righteously and angrily reminds her teammates, giving up is how you lose. Her passion and conviction as a marine biologist shine through, showing that her commitment is rooted in her real-world knowledge. It’s clear that she won’t back down without a fight, and her words of hope are a powerful anchor for the team.
Eman Casallos, Jorge Sutil, and Jeff Eckleberry bring this high-stakes story to life with their vibrant art, dynamic colors, and sharp lettering. The action explodes off the page, from Linka’s powerful wind-powered punch to the menacing swarm of Plunder’s battle mechs. It’s the little details that make these fight scenes so fun and memorable, like a guard comically bouncing across the water after a hit. The creative ways the Planeteers use their rings are a constant highlight, and the introduction of synthetic rings hints at a thrilling new direction for the series.
Captain Planet #4 is a standout issue that proves the power of hope and the importance of fighting on, even when the odds are stacked against you. It’s an engaging, action-packed installment that will leave you on the edge of your seat, desperate to find out what happens next.
‘Captain Planet’#4 Review: Hope Fights On
Captain Planet #4 is a standout issue that proves the power of hope and the importance of fighting on, even when the odds are stacked against you. It’s an engaging, action-packed installment that will leave you on the edge of your seat, desperate to find out what happens next.
