Out of all of Marvel’s recent crossovers with franchises like Predator or Alien, Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four seems like the most natural fit. Writer Josh Trujillo understands what makes these franchises tick and spins a sci-fi tale that stays true to their vintage sixties roots. There are some pacing issues, but the fun of seeing the Fantastic Four interact with a strange world carries the book.
How Do the Apes React to the Powers of the Fantastic Four?
The last issue ended with the Fantastic Four’s powers somehow transferring over to Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zira, Dr. Cornelius, and General Ursus. Word soon reaches the apes outside the city, and we see the Red Ghost spreading propaganda about the newly transformed simians. This enrages the natives, causing them to invade the city to root out these atrocious apes and the humans they harbor. Despite being a lighthearted series, Trujillo uses real-world themes such as misinformation and societal hierarchies to show the parallels between the ape society and our own. It gives the book depth, without distracting from the core premise.
Fans of the Planet of the Apes film series will love the references here. We hear our first mention of original protagonist Taylor as our heroes and their ape companions escape prison to seek his spaceship. Artist Andrea Di Vito draws a panicked look on Johnny Storm’s face when he dives to the bottom of a lake and encounters the body of Lieutenant Maryann Stewart, the unfortunate victim of a cracked hibernation tube from the first film. Trujillo incorporates these throwbacks naturally, making it feel like this story could have been an official sequel.
Why Dr. Zaius Remains the Breakout Character
Dr. Zaius continues to steal the show. He’s got the powers of the Thing, and you can tell Di Vito is having fun with his design. Rocky flesh blankets his body, cleverly sprouting in jagged edges along his jaw to reflect his beard, and makes his already massive form even more imposing. Letterer Joe Caramagna keeps his voice dynamic, mixing in bolded words and exclamation points to portray the charismatic speaker. Meanwhile, General Ursus uses his flames to great effect, as colorist Erick Arciniega washes him in bright oranges that echo the Human Torch.
Despite the fun, this issue suffers from uneven pacing. Large parts of the story are full of exposition, while the characters move slowly from their prison to Taylor’s spaceship. This offers moments of entertaining banter, but it takes too long to get to what we want to see. By the time the action really starts, we’ve already reached the last pages of the story.
The Coming of a Surprise Foe
The issue ends with a cliffhanger. Without giving too much away, an old foe of the Fantastic Four has arrived on the ape planet, and the balance of power will inevitably shift. A sinister plan is in motion. Marvel’s first family is going to have to learn to work with the apes if they want to overcome this new threat.
Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #2 makes you wonder why Marvel hasn’t done this crossover sooner. Our heroes need to rely on their wits while their simian counterparts use their newfound powers to navigate societal unrest. It may not be perfect, but it reminds me why I love comics. They’re fun, and sometimes that’s all they need to be.
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Review: ‘Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four’ #2 is one of Marvel’s Most Natural Crossovers
Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #2 makes you wonder why Marvel hasn’t done this crossover sooner. Our heroes need to rely on their wits while their simian counterparts use their newfound powers to navigate societal unrest. It may not be perfect, but it reminds me why I love comics. They’re fun, and sometimes that’s all they need to be.
