Review- DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (Boom, First Printing, 2015; Softcover)

Collects Dawn Of The Planet of the Apes #1-6 (cover dates November, 2014- April, 2015)

Writer: Michael Moreci

Artists: Dan McDaid with Inking by Adam Gorham

Colorist: Jason Wordie

This mini-series takes place two years after the Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes movie. It shares the name of the second film in the re-rebooted Apes franchise, but it's more of a bridge between the two films.

The story centers around a family of three at the end of the old world. Power systems are failing and people are reduced to an almost Mad Max, post-apocalyptic roving band of marauders cliché. Further complicating matters is that Rita has contracted the simian flu. Malcom wants to leave their home and travel to Austin, where there are rumors of a cure. I won't go into certain plot points here because they would spoil the story.

Koba's ambition to usurp control of the apes from Caesar is already apparent, as he conspired with Pope to go behind Caesar's back and leave the ape city to investigate. Koba is ruthless, as anyone who saw Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes knows. The rest of the gaps of the hows and whys of the second film are all set up here. I just wish that this series came out before the film.

I have no idea what is next for Boom's Apes series. They seem to have devolved into silly crossovers with Star Trek, Tarzan, and now Green Lantern, all of which I am boycotting because crossovers suck. They don't seem to be putting out any new material otherwise. They did announce a line of Archives which are going to reprint Marvel's black and white magazine by storyline rather than order of publication. I am excited to see them finally reprinted, and I hope that they publish them in the original magazine dimensions like Dark Horse and Dynamite have done with the Warren Magazines (Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella).

With another Apes film due next summer I'm hopeful for more new, non-crossover comics. BOOM has done right by the property thus far.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- Unlike most Chinese made books, this one does not have that sweet toxic smell. I was kind of disappointed, to be honest with you. Huffing toxic Chinese made books is my favorite past time.

Paper stock: Thick glossy coated stock.

Binding: Sewn binding in a softcover. I'm not sure how much more durable sewn binding is on a glued softcover, as it isn't attached to cloth, but it sure makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside anyhow.

Cardstock cover notes: Matte coating on a thick cardstock cover. Unlike many “frosted” matte coatings, this does not scuff easily.