11 Years Later, One of the Best Sci-Fi Comics of All-Time Needs To Come Back

by

Science fiction is a fantastic genre, and that’s especially good news for comic book readers. From adventures in space to stories about time travel and unexplained abilities (though this isn’t about traditional superheroes), sci-fi comics offer something for everyone. One exceptional sci-fi comic debuted in 2014, and it remains a storytelling masterpiece eleven years later. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any new issues since 2017, and its return is desperately needed.

Bitch Planet, a comic book series published by Image Comics between 2014 and 2017, explores feminist themes through the lens of exploitation films. Created by writer Kelly Sue DeConnick and artist Valentine De Landro, the initial series ran for 10 issues, followed by a five-issue continuation. The story is set in a world where women deemed “non-compliant” are sent to a remote prison called the Auxiliary Compliance Outpost. While critically acclaimed and popular with fans, the series paused after the tenth issue. It’s a thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated book that tackles tough topics and isn’t always easy to read, as it encourages readers to confront challenging issues.

Why Bitch Planet Was An All Time Great

Despite only running for ten issues, plus a five-issue anthology, Bitch Planet stands out as one of the best science fiction series ever published, largely because of its unique take on female oppression. The series featured a diverse cast of characters with varying levels of privilege, exploring the experiences of different races and genders. Key characters included Kamau “Kam” Kogo, a former athlete forced to compete in gladiatorial games; his sister, Muenda “Morrow” Kogo, held in a facility for transgender women; Penelope “Penny” Rolle, a strong and gender non-conforming woman; and Eleanor Doane, the intelligent leader known as “President Bitch.” By focusing on these characters, Bitch Planet offered a more expansive and nuanced story about gender and oppression than is typical in dystopian fiction.

I’ve been really struck by how Bitch Planet offers such a pointed commentary on power dynamics. We’ve seen dystopian stories like The Handmaid’s Tale explore how women can contribute to the oppression of other women, but this comic is so much more direct. It doesn’t shy away from showing how even the seemingly privileged women are complicit in the system. The contrast is really powerful – the wives of the ruling class are dressed in these soft, pink gowns, presented as delicate, while the Black and brown women are forced into these short, overly sexualized yellow outfits while they work. It looks like the wives are being treated better, elevated even, but they’re actively ignoring the suffering of other women. What’s particularly chilling is the masks they wear – stylish and silent, a constant reminder that speaking out could lead to them being discarded just like the women deemed ‘non-compliant.’ It’s foreshadowed early on, too, with the story showing a privileged white woman actually being disposed of at the ACO when her husband replaces her with a younger woman. It’s a brutal, but effective, illustration of how fragile their power really is.

Bitch Planet Had So Many More Stories To Tell And We Need It Back

I was really captivated by Bitch Planet. It wasn’t just a visually striking comic; it tackled some incredibly important themes with a compelling narrative. We were building to something huge by issue #10 – a full-blown revolution! The ending left us on a massive cliffhanger, revealing that Kylie Sarah Josephson, the daughter of a powerful media mogul, was joining the fight. It felt like the story was about to shift in a really interesting direction, and we were promised her backstory next. But then… nothing. The book went on hiatus, and it’s been stuck there ever since. There have been whispers of a return – Kelly Sue DeConnick even mentioned it in 2020 – but so far, those promises haven’t materialized. It’s a real shame, because there’s so much potential still left in those characters and that world. I was genuinely invested and eager to see where it was going.

We need to understand Kylie’s role in the revolution, and also discover what happens next in the larger story. While rescuing Eleanor Doane and restoring her power was a significant achievement, lasting change doesn’t happen instantly. Beyond the events of Bitch Planet itself, the story feels particularly relevant today. Since the last issue was published, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has been seen as a major setback for women’s rights. In this uncertain political and cultural climate, stories like Bitch Planet are more important than ever, and we hope to see more of it soon.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/marvel/list/7-great-marvel-villains-nobody-talks-about/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-09 01:12