Even if you’re not a fan yet Strange planet, Nathan Pyle’s charmingly subversive webcomic in which blobby blue aliens orbit ordinary human objects and experiences, you might still recognize them when you see them. Pyle’s comics — typically four panels of understated observational humor rendered in soft pinks and blues — are all over social media and the internet, with several book collections and numerous associated merchandise. Because each comic is self-contained, they’ve reached a viral pass-around status, where they’re constantly being rediscovered and reposted in every possible forum. Now Pyle is working with Community maker / Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon to adapt the comic into an animated TV series, and the first trailer has arrived.
Strange planet the comic doesn’t really have walking characters, as far as anyone knows except Pyle – the blue aliens almost all look alike, and they all talk the same, with a kind of soft, self-effacing, philosophical acceptance about the quirks of things like coffee (“jitter-liquid”, alcohol (“mild poison”), and Fast food. The animated series, judging by the early episodes provided to critics, is similarly an anthology show, with episodes moving between different sets of characters in different professions and at different times in their lives.
The show retains Pyle’s art style and humour, to the point where much of the language will be familiar to fans of his comics – but it’s also undoubtedly a Dan Harmon series, with Harmon’s signature humanistic take on failure and regret, family bonds and philosophy, learning and growing. The storylines could be Rick and Morty boast, except without the cheeky humor, frantic tone, and overall air of aggressive cynicism. Similarly, they are about characters facing and overcoming fears and dealing with their own shortcomings. Just like the Strange planet strip offers a twisted mirror of our world, the series offers a twisted mirror of Rick and Morty — a version of that animated series made for a much calmer, quieter audience.
The series features voices of Tunde Adebimpe, Demi Adejuyigbe, Lori Tan Chinn, Communityare Danny Pudi and Hannah Einbinder.
“Strange Planet” is co-created and produced by Emmy Award winner Dan Harmon (“Rick and Morty,” “Community”) and New York Times best-selling author Nathan W. Pyle, and produced by Apple Studios and ShadowMachine. The series is executive produced by Academy Award winner Alex Bulkley (“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”), Emmy Award winner Corey Campodonico for ShadowMachine (“BoJack Horseman”, “Tuca & Bertie”), Lauren Pomerantz (“Saturday Night Live”, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”), Emmy Award winner Amalia Levari (“Over the Garden Wall”, “Harvey Beaks”), Steve Levy (“Rick and Morty”, “Community”) and Taylor Alexy Pyle.
Strange planet premieres August 9 on Apple TV Plus with a 10-episode first season.