Review- Adventures On The Planet Of The Apes #1-11

Adventures On The Planet Of The Apes #1-11 (Marvel, cover dates October, 1975- December, 1976)

Writer: Doug Moench

Artists: George Tuska (Penciler, #1-6), Alfredo P. Alcala (#7-11), Mike Esposito (Inker, #1-6), Tony Mortellaro (Inker, #3, 5, 6), and Dave Hunt (Inker, #4)

Topping the list of things that I would love to see collected is Marvel's run of Planet Of The Apes. While the black and white magazine versions of the arcs which comprise these 11 issues, the adaptation of Planet Of The Apes (#1-6) and Beneath The Planet Of The Apes (#7-11) were reprinted by Malibu in trade paperbacks in the early '90s, they are murky and incomplete. I have them but would love to see Boom reprint them in deluxe hardcovers similar to how Dark Horse and Dynamite have handled the Warren Magazines (Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella). These 11 issues would fit in one handsome Marvel Masterworks-style hardcover.

These comics are great. Doug Moench is one of the earliest fan-turned-pro writers, growing up with the form and having a firm grasp on what makes it work. He strikes a careful balance between maintaining the spirit of the films and fleshing things out because you have more room and freedom in comics.

The adaptation of Planet Of The Apes (#1-6) has artwork by George Tuska and assorted inkers, while Beneath The Planet Of The Apes (#7-11) has artwork by the godlike Alfredo P. Alcala. This title certainly had the pedigree in terms of talent, but the fact that it only lasted 11 issues only shows how late to the game that it was. This color series was timed to the release of the short-lived animated series which aired for three months on NBC. I found it on DVD for like 10 bucks and watched it with my son. I read him all 11 of these issues, and he loved them. I have let him watch the original films and he is a huge fan. Planet Of The Apes lives!

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 out of 5.

 The OCD zone- There was an error in issue 6. (Numbered, not story) pages 23 and 26 are mixed up. It goes from page 22 to 26, then 23. I can only assume that this effected the entire print run. This would hopefully be fixed if (when???) these issues are reprinted.