Posted in: Comics | Tagged: boom, Comics, planet of the apes

Review: Planet Of The Apes 1

Published Sat, 08 Sep 2012 10:00:13 -0500

Last updated Sat, 08 Sep 2012 13:28:39 -0500

Mark Robert Bourne writes for Bleeding Cool;

Credits:
Writer: Corinna Bechko & Gabriel Hardman
Artist: Damian Couceiro
Colorist: Darrin Moore
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Editor: Dafna Pleban
Covers: Gabriel Hardman
Alex Ross
Phil Noto
Joe Quinones

So, BOOM! Studios has been publishing a number of mini-series based on the original Planet of the Apes film and "Cataclysm" is the new ongoing by the writing team of Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman, this time teaming with artist Damian Couceiro. To be honest, it's been many, many moons since I've seen any of the "Apes" films. I really don't know any extensive details about them other than the basics: "You damn dirty apes!" "Dr. Zaius!" or "You Maniacs, You Blew It UP!" (Insert cheesy Charlton Heston yelp on that last one.) I didn't see the remake from some years ago, nor did I see the recent re-launch. Still, there are many iconic images and moments from the films seen frequently enough that the basic idea of the film's story still resonates.

Right off the bat I miss Hardman's pencils. His work on Betrayal of the Planet of the Ape was excellent and his admiration for the Apes' series was truly evident in every line. Damian Couceiro is a capable artist with his direction and likeness, but that extra "something" is regrettably missing. There is an ideal sense of cinematography in the book that leads me to believe that either Hardman did some initial layouts or Couceiro has some storyboard experience. Colorist Darrin Moore's work is non-intrusive, moody and fits well with the line-work.

This series begins some 8 years before the original Planet of the Apes film. A rouge Monk somehow finds a way to launch the Alpha – Omega bomb that's been sitting dormant for the last 2000 years. Meantime, Ape city is teetering on the verge of societal chaos. Ethnic groups are dividing as are the opinions as to what is the next step in the Ape evolution. Throw that all together and I believe this is why the subtitle "Cataclysm" was chosen.

I really admired this introductory issue. I was genuinely drawn into the story by the care taken to characterization and to the way this tale adds something to the larger established Ape legend. I think my minimal knowledge of the whole overall narrative helped my reader anxiety and kept me on edge throughout and up to the issues climactic cliffhanger. It's so rare nowadays to have that specific edge in a comic book where you absolutely have to be back for the next installment. It really creates an energized reader and that type of reader comes back for more. So, when I hit the comic shop next month, I'll be on the look-out for #2.