From Comic Strips to Screen: How Strange Planet Captures Quirky Humor and Heartfelt Moments

When Nathan W. Pyle began sharing his Strange Planet web comic on Instagram in early 2019, he likely did not foresee that it would eventually be transformed into a web series. The comics depict a race of blue beings on a planet reminiscent of Earth, who articulate their distinctly human-like experiences in strictly literal terms, resulting in humorous interpretations. The Strange Planet web series remains wonderfully faithful to the original content, maintaining the same aesthetic and dialogue.

The series, which Pyle co-created with Dan Harmon (known for his work on Community and Rick and Morty), can now be streamed on Apple TV+. Currently, three episodes are available for viewing, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday (in India) until the first season’s 10-episode arc concludes. Each episode is under 30 minutes, packed with distinct narratives and scenarios; continue reading for my spoiler-free review.

Strange Planet review: The hilarity of technical and literal language

Similar to the comics, the dialogue in Strange Planet is crucial to the series, with the blue beings articulating their thoughts using technically precise and literal language. However, this doesn’t mean the dialogue lacks emotion or is overly simplistic—in fact, quite the opposite is true. Fans of the Instagram comics may have recited the lines in a somewhat robotic manner, but the characters exhibit a surprisingly human quality.

The Strange Planet series is inspired by the web comics created by Nathan W. Pyle

This exaggerated literal dialogue provides numerous laugh-out-loud moments, such as describing confetti as ‘tiny trash’ and drinks as ‘mild poison’. The characters are also refreshingly direct about their emotions, and the absence of pretense and sarcasm aptly illustrates to viewers the complexities of human interactions—showing that sometimes, interpreting situations isn’t as straightforward as it appears.

Strange Planet review: Artistic fidelity to the original comics

In adapting any literary source—be it through animation or live-action—artists often have the freedom to exercise some creativity regarding the aesthetic. Since Strange Planet originated as a comic, the visual style was already established, and thankfully, the web series faithfully adheres to the now-iconic visuals and expressions of its universe. This dedication extends beyond the blue beings themselves to the various creatures, incorporating unique details such as three-eyed pigeons and canines.

For clear reasons, the comics were not as elaborate in depicting the surrounding world—comic panels typically focus on character interactions. Strange Planet has rightly taken some creative license here, and fans of Rick and Morty will find the artistic style quite familiar. It integrates seamlessly with the established comic art, demonstrating that the collaboration between Pyle and Harmon was thoughtfully conceived and executed.

Strange Planet review: Brief narratives centered on relatable emotions

Each installment of Strange Planet presents its own set of distinct stories and situations that delve into very ‘human-like’ emotions such as fear, sadness, loneliness, and anxiety. Themes of friendship and romance are explored, along with various stresses from both work and leisure. As with the comics, the narrative remains uncomplicated—the focus is on dialogue, emphasizing the emotions conveyed through excessive literalism and skirting figurative expressions.

With its short episode format, this series is ideal for quick viewing or during brief intermissions when you need something light-hearted to elevate the mood. If you’re a fan of the comics as I am, this is a must-see. Even if you’re new to this online phenomenon, Strange Planet is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.