After finishing the first issue of Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #1, I couldn’t help but wonder why this crossover took so long. These franchises share quintessentially sixties sci-fi DNA, and writer Josh Trujillo leans into that campy fun alongside artist Andrea Di Vito. Published by Marvel Comics, this debut issue bridges the gap between the Silver Age of comics and the cinematic legacy of 20th Century Studios. As I read the first big twist involving the Red Ghost, I realized this series might be something truly special for long-time fans of both properties.
Why is the Fantastic Four in the Planet of the Apes universe?
The trouble starts when Red Ghost and his Super-Apes invade the Baxter Building, gunning for the Di-Quantum Stabilizer. The Fantastic Four fight back, but soon find themselves transported to another world. Andrea Di Vito’s art captures their journey through space beautifully on page eleven. Panels lose their structure, descending from top to bottom in a swirling manner, while a cosmic background frames the action. Our heroes struggle to hold everything together, but the pained look on Sue Storm’s face makes it clear their efforts are in vain.
How does the art capture the 1960s aesthetic?
You can tell Di Vito has a lot of respect for the source material. It looks like the Fantastic Four are directly following in Taylor’s footsteps from the first Apes film when they arrive on the foreign planet. Color artist Erick Arciniega cleverly blankets these pages in a weathered yellow tint, giving the team’s explorations that vintage movie feel. Our heroes barely have time to realize they’ve lost their powers before they’re captured by the resident apes and brought to stand trial in the adobe-style Ape City.
Do the Fantastic Four lose their powers to the Apes?
Trujillo nails Dr. Zaius, the dogmatic orangutan scientist, and his interrogation of the Fantastic Four is a blast. The cantankerous ape is quick to challenge our heroes, his text bubbles oscillating between calm fonts and bolded statements courtesy of letterer Joe Caramagna. Johnny Storm soon makes things worse in characteristic fashion while Reed Richards tries to appeal to their sense of logic. The crowd is hostile, with the gorilla General Ursus demanding punishment and chimpanzee scientists Zira and Cornelius being the only sympathetic attendees. Each character acts just as they would in the movie, proving they’re in expert hands as this series progresses.
What happens at the end of Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #1?
The real fun starts when we see what happened to the Fantastic Four’s powers. Something comes over our main apes as the trial ends, with Dr. Zaius, Ursus, Cornelius, and Zira inheriting the team’s abilities. They come together on page twenty-eight, fully displaying their new capabilities. Seeing Zira’s body turn invisible, Cornelius’ limbs stretch, Ursus go up in flames, or Dr. Zaius’ broad form transform into the rocky texture of the Thing is exhilarating. It’s an interesting twist to kick off the series, and one that completely caught me by surprise.
Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #1 delivers a first issue that kept me guessing. The Fantastic Four are helpless as the apes gain their powers. Di Vito and Arciniega honor each franchise’s unique look, while Josh Trujillo captures every character’s voice. These franchises may be sixty years old, but seeing an ape covered in flames makes them feel brand new.
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Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #1 delivers a first issue that kept me guessing. The Fantastic Four are helpless as the apes gain their powers. Di Vito and Arciniega honor each franchise’s unique look, while Josh Trujillo captures every character’s voice. These franchises may be sixty years old, but seeing an ape covered in flames makes them feel brand new.
