Bad Idea Comics is finally coming to comic shops in a normal fashion….but can anything truly ever be normal with Bad idea? In this case that means a spectacular number of copies shipped.
They have just announced that Planet Death #0 has sold 655,000 copies, making it the largest selling independent comic book in over 30 years, since Jim Lee’s WildC.A.T.S. #1 in 1992, according to Bad Idea, who is distribution by Lunar for comics shops.
The book was sold in bundles of 25 copies for $7.50, and includes some incentive variant covers, but it’s still a very impressive number – even more than BRZRKR’s 615,000 copies sold of the first issue. PLANET DEATH goes on sale April 30th, but the bundles can be used as a Free Comic Book Day promotion.
Bad Idea publisher CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani is thrilled with the sales numbers, as he should be. “We’re absolutely blown away and frankly humbled by the massive response to PLANET DEATH. Until now, the only way fans have been able to get our comics has been exclusively through 250 BAD IDEA Destination Stores. This record-setting launch for our first wide release is a clear signal that fans everywhere are eager to dive into the phenomenal books, like PLANET DEATH, that our creators are building.”
The publisher is, understandably, letting out all the stops for their debut in comics shops, including working with effects shop Legacy Effects to make a 6-foot-tall hero quality PLANET DEATH armor display – folks at ComicsPRO got to step into it for photo ops and the armor will tour comic book stores and comic book conventions around the world.
What’s all the fuss about? PLANET DEATH is Bad Idea’s first release in their Prestige Format as well as the first that is open to order for all comics shops – it’s written by screenwriter Derek Kolstad, credited as creator of the JOHN WICK franchise (does Keanu Reeves have to be involved in all of this?). He also wrote the cult thriller Nobody and its sequel and has worked on various MCU projects,
While Kolstad is the boldest of the boldface names, the comic is written by Robert Venditti (Superman ‘78, Green Lantern) with artist Tomás Giorello (Star Wars, Conan) and colorist Dave Stewart (Hellboy, Star Wars). Like all of Bad Idea’s comics, this one looks great and the SF space marines on a do or die mission is a sturdy recipe for adventure.
Bad Idea launched in 2020 with some of the weirdest sales and marketing tactics we’ve seen in a while. For years, their comics were only available at “Destination Stores.” Now, with Planet Death and their Lunar deal, Bad Idea is going wide to all comics shops…and their first foray seems to be a hit.
They have also just announced the solicit into for PLANET DEATH #0 – and a first look at the Joe Quesada triptych cover, and some color interior pages – seen here for the VERY FIRST TIME. Or as Bad Idea’s bombastically branded pr puts it:
Read on for the need-to-know intel on this colossal series premiere as well as a first-look at the jaw-dropping incentive cover from living legend Joe Quesada. But hurry! You’ll need to place your pre-order before the FINAL ORDER CUTOFF date of MARCH 31st to secure your copy!
Here’s a look at Quesada’s incentive variant triptych cover.
And here is the rest of the info!
*** PLANET DEATH #0 ***
Written by DEREK KOLSTAD & ROBERT VENDITTI
Art & Cover by TOMÁS GIORELLO
$1.99 | 24 PGS. | FULL COLOR | FOC MARCH 31, 2025 | ON SALE APRIL 30, 2025
Blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad, creator and writer of the internationally acclaimed, box office dominating motion picture franchise JOHN WICK, New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Superman ‘78, Green Lantern), with visionary artist Tomás Giorello (Star Wars, Conan) and ten-time Eisner Award-winner Dave Stewart (Star Wars, Hellboy) have combined forces to bring you this essential first chapter in a groundbreaking new sci-fi epic.
Millions of miles from home, hundreds of ships descend into the stormy atmosphere of a hostile frozen world. On board, an army of resolute men and women brace for the coming assault.
They are an invasion force, on an impossible mission — destroy the devastating enemy weapon garrisoned below. Corporal Scott and his battalion are in the vanguard but the human forces are no match for their brutal alien adversaries. Scott’s battalion is dead within moments. He is its lone survivor. The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost.
Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly. Locked in his suit of full combat battle armor, sustained only by what he can carry, and driven by Earth’s wrath, Scott must do by himself what an entire army could not.
Destroy the weapon.
Return home.
PLANET DEATH #0 is the must-read lead-in to July’s 40-page prestige format PLANET DEATH #1.
*** PLANET DEATH #0 Gatefold Wraparound Triptych 1:500 by Joe Quesada ***
Written by DEREK KOLSTAD & ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by TOMÁS GIORELLO
Cover by JOE QUESADA
24 PGS. | FULL COLOR | FOC MARCH 31, 2025 | ON SALE APRIL 30, 2025
The powerhouse behind countless iconic covers and influential runs was so enamored with Tomás Giorello’s work on PLANET DEATH that he insisted on building one of his famous wraparound covers ala BATMAN #500 and X-O MANOWAR #0, only to decide that to truly do the book justice he would need a wraparound and a gatefold! This super-premium Joe Quesada cover is available as an ultra-rare incentive variant for PLANET DEATH #0.
English (US) · 