Dan Harmon and Apple TV+ Bring the Strange Planet Web Comic to Life in First Trailer

In 2019, small blue aliens suddenly took over the internet. Author Nathan W. Pyle’s Strange Planet web comic featured small blob-like creatures whose naivety about human existence made them extremely memeable. These aliens identify everyday objects and scenarios with straightforward language: coffee is jitter liquid, kisses are “mouthpushes,” and a sun burn is star damage. The four-panel depictions of parenthood, heartbreak, exercise, and social interactions in a way that simultaneously highlights just how bizarre yet simple certain aspects of human existence can be.

Now those aliens are coming to life in a new Apple TV+ animated series co-created by Pyle and Dan Harmon. The first look, which is already our Trailer of the Week, shows that there’s even more to explore beyond the webcomic panels, and that the astute observations about the absurdity of being alive that were typically written in a squiggly black font are just as pointed when spoken aloud.

This isn’t exactly the first time Pyle and Harmon have collaborated. Back in 2015, Abed (Danny Pudi) wore a T-shirt featuring one of Pyle’s designs in Community Season 6, Episode 13, “Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television.” Harmon was seemingly aware of Pyle’s work years before Strange Planet was created, which is a good sign that their creative sensibilities will mesh well on this project. The voice cast features Pudi, Tunde Adebimpe (Lazor Wulf), Demi Adejuyigbe (The Amber Ruffin Show), Lori Tan Chinn (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens), and Hannah Einbinder (Hacks).

Despite Strange Planet’s inherent existential nature — not to mention Harmon’s tendency to explore dark themes through deranged characters in his other animated work like Rick & Morty and Little Demon — the trailer promises a calm and at times literally rose-tinted perspective. The walking and talking versions of Pyle’s creations bring even more humor and lightness to his words, ditching any ounce of existential dread in favor of a more hopeful view of being a living being, blue and blobby or not.

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Brianna Wellen is a TV Reporter at Primetimer who became obsessed with television when her parents let her stay up late to watch E.R.