Free Planet

In this ambitious space opera from Sitterson (The Worst Dudes) and artist Dougherty (Savage Hearts), the leader of a rebellion gets abducted just after liberating the planet Lutheria from a violent, capitalist empire. Left behind are a ragtag crew of defenders known as the Freedom Guard. United in their goal to grant all Lutherians complete liberty, the Freedom Guard struggles to establish a sustainable society with no hierarchical restraints. When an off-planet terrorist is offered asylum on Lutheria, tensions ratchet up. The series opener mostly succeeds at flipping a beloved sci-fi trope on its head—rather than watching the rebels win, readers follow along as the complicated aftermath of rebellion unfolds. There are plenty of strong ideas at play, but the unrelenting pace sometimes sacrifices character depth, and plotlines can get murky. Sitterson layers in dense prose on crowded pages, which at times eclipses the sharp dialogue, though the weaving between exposition, soliloquy, and conversation is capably handled by letterer Taylor Esposito. Dougherty’s thick black lines animate action sequences and intimate moments alike, breathing life into characters ranging from military captains to mechanized scientists. Every page bursts with Vittorio Astone’s bold contrasting colors, lending the story an air of urgency. Dune fans will enjoy exploring this expansive new world. (Dec.)