Some weeks, there is just so much great all-ages stuff that we've got to do a second post. Due to popular demand, Marvel's Star Comics are coming back into print once more! For this Family Comic Friday Extra we take a look at the return of that pint-sized space-farer Planet Terry!

Star Comics: Planet Terry- The Complete Collection

Written by Lennie Herman, Stan Kay
Art by Warren Kremer
Published by Marvel Comics
Retail: $39.99

In the mid 1980s, Marvel Comics had the brilliant idea to create an all-ages imprint. The House of Ideas had a number of hits publishing the exploits of such beloved kids properties like G.I. Joe and Transformers. But those books were aimed for a more older crowd much to the dismay of parents. Thus, editor Jim Shooter decided to go after some new properties and maintain the youthful spirit of those franchises. After the course of 4 years, Star Comics covered the adventures of classics like Thundercats and Masters of the Universe. But at the very beginning of the imprint, Star decided to craft some original content.

The original 4 titles were a Richie Rich rip-off called Royal Roy (to which Harvey Comics sued Marvel for plagiarism),  the magically infused Wally the Wizard, the slightly too thrilling for kiddies Top Dog and lastly, our featured series: Planet Terry.

Planet Terry was a sci-fi inspired epic. The lead character was Terry; a platinum haired youth who spent the entire 12-issue run searching for his parents. Over the course of the series, Terry would participate in intergalactic video games, battle giant monsters and rescue princesses from danger with the help of his two friends, Omnus and Robota. Omnus was a burly lizard man with great strength. Robota was a silver plated female android.

If Robota looked and acted an awful lot like the mechanical maid of Richie Rich, you weren't far off. The artwork of these issues were penciled by the legendary Warren Kremer. For those of you born after 1990, Kremer was the artistic mastermind behind the creation such characters as Casper the Friendly Ghost, Little Audrey and even that poor little rich boy, Richie Rich! With assists from Vince Coletta (Fantastic Four) on inks, expect the art of most of this book to be super clean!

The writing duties were split between Lennie Herman and Stan Kay (Muppet Babies).

This is another Marvel reissue in which the publisher is rating way too high! It's not a book for Teens or older. (I've seen varying age ratings for this book from as high as Teen to no rating at all.) This was originally punished unrated. But in 1985, they didn't have ratings yet! The series was approved by the Comics Code Authority, but there was such a broad interpretation of what ages were covered under that stamp that a decade later, the Code was all but defunct. Take it from me, readers of all ages will enjoy this blast from the past!

One big spoiler-

Planet Terry ran for 12 issues. Unfortunately, Terry's quest to find his parents was never fulfilled. The character has in the past few years shown up in a few of Marvel's cosmic titles. Planet Terry is all grown-up now. However, there's no indication in these more modern appearances of whether Terry was reunited with mom and dad at a later date.

I usually don't post big spoilers such as this. However, I know first hand what it's like to devote yourself to a series or franchise that for one reason or another gets cancelled before being able to reach it's intended conclusion. I hope that parents and grandparents who grew up with this series with share it with the young reader it their lives. I really do. Planet Terry was one of the better Star Comics original titles. But I also want you to be aware that once the kiddies finish this book, they're going to ask you what happened next. So, you have best be able to come up with an imaginative answer on your own.

Planet Terry is a cult hit that didn't get much of a chance. But it's not because of poor production values. It's because retailers were hesitant to add unproven new comics to their already overcrowded shelves. Unless you had a local comic book store nearby or could afford to subscribe to Star Comics by mail, it was nearly impossible to find these titles at your local 7-11 or general book seller.

Granted, fans of the original Star Comics line-up are going to want the individual issues. But, since kids were who owned them, original copies in deceit shape are very difficult to find and some cases very expensive! But these complete collection is perfect to share with the next generation of comic book fans!

Due to conflicting accounts on several websites, I cannot be certain when Star Comics: Planet Terry- The Complete Collection will debut in stores. Amazon has the book coming out the first week in June. Previewsworld.com, the trusted comic book website for collectors and retailers claims the the book dropped on Wednesday, May 22nd. That website also claims that a readers will get a bonus of the complete six-issue miniseries Misty; about an aspiring young model, along with all 12-issues of Planet Terry. For those who enjoy their comics digital, Marvel.com has the complete Terry run for sale at the price of $19.99.

Regardless of which format or date in time you buy this collection, rest assured that your read is going to be out of the world!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.