It’s been over a year since Marvel published a Planet of the Apes comic, but the property returns this week with a full-fledged crossover in Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four. The sci-fi strength of both properties makes the crossover potential strong, albeit a clever hook is required. After putting this book down, the hook is certainly there, even if the issue takes its time getting there.
A four-issue miniseries, the first issue drops you into the world of the Planet of the Apes with the Fantastic Four captured and powerless. Much like in the original film, these human heroes have broken laws since they can speak. Writer Josh Trujillo only makes things worse for the team with Human Torch butting in, speaking over his much more articulate teammates. It’s safe to say each member is written well and has the correct voice and demeanor.
Before long, the story shifts to the day before to explain how the team got there. The recounting of events is slow going, to say the least, from the heroes fighting Red Ghost to finding themselves in the Planet of the Apes universe, depowered, and nobody around. Over seven pages, they witness apes mistreating humans, scare off a guard, have a group of additional apes on horses show up, and eventually get captured. While the sequence looks good and plays out just fine, it’s also a lot of pages of mediocre plot progression.
Johnny sure is good at being the bold one.
Credit: Marvel
It’s not until the final four pages that the story really kicks into gear and finds its unique angle on this crossover. Frankly, it’s an angle I didn’t see coming, with the Fantastic Four powers showing up in familiar characters. It’ll be exciting to see the heroes coach these characters in future issues. Then, the final two pages catch Doctor Doom up to speed on events, further complicating the hot water the FF will be in. I love the hook, but it’s unfortunate that it takes so long to get there.
Art by Andrea Di Vito is great, with Planet of the Apes likenesses looking fantastic, the action easy to follow, and the overall aesthetic working well. Character acting is great, from the comedic angle of Human Torch getting them into deeper trouble to the intensity of our heroes succumbing to the apes.
Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #1 ultimately proves why this crossover exists, even if it makes you wait for the payoff. Josh Trujillo lays careful groundwork, sometimes to a fault, but once the book reveals its central twist, the series’ potential snaps into focus. Paired with confident, expressive artwork from Andrea Di Vito, the debut issue sets up a concept strong enough to justify the slow burn—assuming future chapters get to the point a bit faster.
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