JOHN WICK’s Derek Kolstad Takes No Prisoners with a Record-Smashing 655,000 Copies of PLANET DEATH #0 for BAD IDEA!

The Blockbuster Debut Is The Largest Selling Independent Comic Book Since 1992.

PLANET DEATH #0 cover art by Tomás Giorello and Dave Stewart

LOS ANGELES, Mar. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BAD IDEA is proud to announce that the debut issue of the upcoming sci-fi epic PLANET DEATH 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. PLANET DEATH #0, arrives in stores on April 30th and is timed to take advantage of the largest single retail day in comics — Free Comic Book Day — the following Saturday, May 3rd.

PLANET DEATH marks the first time a BAD IDEA comic is being distributed, via Lunar Distribution, wide, to all comic shops. PLANET DEATH #0 is still currently in its solicitation period in which comic stores place their orders and the final sales count is expected to climb even higher. The current total represents orders from stores that have taken a position early. Major orders have been placed by New Dimension Comics, Third Eye Comics, Bedrock City Comics, Collector’s Paradise, Borderlands Comics and Games, DCBS and Atomic Empire.

The all-new BAD IDEA Prestige Format limited series is co-written by blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad, creator and writer of the internationally acclaimed, box office dominating motion picture franchise JOHN WICK, as well as the multi-award winning action-thriller NOBODY and its upcoming sequel for Universal Studios, and 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-winning colorist Dave Stewart (Hellboy, Star Wars).

“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.” said BAD IDEA CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the amazing story Derek, Rob, Tomás and Dave have put together and can’t wait for the world to see it.”

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 interior art by Tomás Giorello and Dave Stewart

PLANET DEATH is the first title in a slate of upcoming comics hitting store shelves this year from BAD IDEA including ORDAINED, CUL-DE-SAC, SURVIVE, SAVE NOW and HABITAT. BAD IDEA recently announced at San Diego Comic-Con that Derek Kolstad would be writing the feature adaptation of ORDAINED. In addition, Akela Cooper (M3GAN, MALIGNANT) is currently adapting THE LOT as a feature for BAD IDEA.

To support the release of PLANET DEATH, BAD IDEA has partnered with Legacy Effects, the world-renowned studio responsible for practical effects from IRON MAN, ALIEN ROMULUS and the upcoming SUPERMAN, who have created a 6-foot-tall hero quality PLANET DEATH armor display that will tour comic book stores and comic book conventions around the world.

PLANET DEATH armor by Legacy Effects

Derek Kolstad created the JOHN WICK franchise, which follows Keanu Reeves’ retired hitman on his descent back into the criminal underworld, for Lionsgate Entertainment who launched the first film in 2014. That film has been followed by a trio of critically acclaimed sequels, each of which has grossed more at the box office than the one before. Kolstad, who wrote the first two films and co-wrote the third, has seen his work on the franchise expand to include the limited series, THE CONTINENTAL from Lionsgate/Peacock, which he wrote and executive produced on, and the much anticipated THE BALLERINA, an upcoming spin-off film starring Oscar nominee Ana de Armas.

Kolstad also wrote and executive produced the acclaimed action-thriller NOBODY starring Bob Odenkirk for Universal Studios, and penned the sequel which arrives in theaters next year. Among Kolstad’s many other credits are writing and co-executive producing Marvel’s 5x Emmy-nominated limited series THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER for Disney+, producing 20th Century Studios’ Joey King actioner THE PRINCESS for Hulu, and creating, writing and executive producing the 7x Emmy-nominated series DIE HART starring Kevin Hart, John Travolta and John Cena. Kolstad’s films have amassed more than one billion dollars at the worldwide box office to date.

Robert Venditti is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 400 comics and graphic novels including a celebrated 5-year run on Green Lantern, an acclaimed 3-year run on Hawkman, popular runs on Superman ’78 and Justice League for DC Comics, as well as the graphic novel Six Days, inspired by the story of his uncle’s participation in D-Day. His debut graphic novel The Surrogates was adapted into a feature film starring Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames for Walt Disney Pictures. He has also adapted Rick Riordan’s global bestselling Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus series. His most recent projects include Wesley Dodds: The Sandman, Ordained, Planet Death, and MrBallen Presents: Strange, Dark & Mysterious.

“This is such an incredible way to kick off not just Planet Death, but a series of projects BAD IDEA and I are developing together. A massive ‘thank you’ to all the comic book stores and fans for their amazing support. Couldn’t be happier about this or more excited about what’s coming!” said Kolstad.

“The reception to Planet Death has been nothing short of amazing, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. But make no mistake—this is just the opening shot in a year packed with BAD IDEA projects I’m incredibly proud of. Survive and Ordained are up next, and while today is a huge moment for Planet Death, trust me—there’s even bigger news on the horizon for Ordained!” said Venditti.

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