Get Caught Up With These Damn Dirty Apes!

Over the past weekend I reread the first couple of issues of Boom! Studios new ongoing comic book series Planet of the Apes - I can't begin to explain just how much I'm enjoying this series: great storytelling and dialogue; imaginative and eye catching interior artwork with stunning covers.

Taking place before the original 1968 Planet of the Apes movie — and true to the continuity of the first five films — BOOM! Studios' Planet of the Apes comic series begins in a time when Ape society reaches a new golden age. But there are ripples of dissent in both the ape and human ranks. Tensions will rise and soon all will be caught in chaos! Amidst all this uncertainty ... what is the fate of The Lawgiver?

Don't just take my word for it - since its debut, the Planet of the Apes comic series has received generous critical acclaim:

"This is an exciting and gripping story that grabbed me by the nape of the neck and locked me for an intensely uninterrupted read." - Comic Book Resources
“As a fan that takes Planet of the Apes seriously, I was pleased with the comic … the art is fitting for capturing the essence of the franchise while also taking it to a new level.” — Comic Vine
“... holds promise for a well-written battle saga.” — Newsarama
“... a compelling drama about a brewing civil war and a clash between classes.” — Eye on Comics
“... you will be very pleased with the high quality that BOOM! has put into this licensed series. They’ve handled it with a lot of respect and it doesn’t come across as cashing in on the name.” — Player Affinity

If you're still not convinced (and why not?) then Boom! Studios are making an offer that I think will be very hard to turn down.

In August this year Boom! Studios are releasing the first full story-arc comprising the first four issues of the series as a trade paperback for just $9.99 (I've advanced ordered it from my shop for £5.44).

That same month a new story-arc launches with issue #5 - and Boom! Studios are offering this issue for just $1 (75p in real money). So for just $11 you'll be caught up on this fantastic new sci-fi series written by award-winning novelist Daryl Gregory and drawn by the sensational Carlos Magno.

The first volume trade paperback features cover art by the supremely talented Karl Richardson and carries a Diamond Code of JUN110954 and an ISBN13 of 978-1-60886-660-1.

Planet of the Apes #5 ships with an A and B cover in a 50/50 split by Karl Richardson, and Carlos Magno respectively and a 1-in-10 incentive cover. This issue carries a Diamond Code of JUN110952.

More details, of course, from Boom! Studios and your local comic shop.

More About The Forthcoming Boom! Studios Planet of the Apes Series

Following on from my post last month about the new Planet of the Apes series from Boom! Studios the publisher has posted on their blog links to half a dozen or so interviews with the series writer Daryl Gregory. You can find the links by clicking here.

Meanwhile, Bleeding Cool have this week published a Planet of the Apes Boom! Studios exclusive preview that includes regular and variants covers.

Planet of the Apes #1 from Boom! Studios is released this month.

New Ongoing Planet of the Apes Comic Series from Boom! Studios

As a child there were only really five 'things' that actually frightened me in my young, innocent life: 1) Davros from Doctor Who - half man, half Dalek; 2) the fear of being attacked by sharks whenever I went into water - thanks Mr Spielberg; 3) snakes - any number of James Bond films; 4) warmongering apes - as opposed to chimpanzees and orangutans - in Planet of the Apes; and 5) Darth Vadar - enough said.

Years later I like to think I've dealt with Lord Vadar and Davros and I'm learning to cope with the warmongering apes. Sharks and snakes? Well they are a different matter.

Anyway, I digress. As a youngster I fell in love with Planet of the Apes: as much as it frightened me, and maybe because of how much it frightened me, I couldn't get enough of the films, television series, comics and novels.

Just recently I've found myself thinking it was about time a comic book publisher picked up the Planet of the Apes license and, much to my delight, I learn that's exactly what Boom! Studio's have done.

With the first issue being released next month Planet of the Apes returns with a new 'in classic-movie continuity' ongoing series set before the original 1968 Planet of the Apes film.

Regular readers will know that I've been trying - trying! - wherever I can to move away from single issues and pick up collected editions instead. That said, I'm super excited by this new series from Boom! Studios so yes, I'll be picking up the single issues.

GET YOUR HANDS ON THESE DAMN DIRTY APES!
BOOM! STUDIOS BRINGS YOU AN EXPLOSIVE NEW ONGOING
PLANET OF THE APES COMIC SERIES!
NEW ONGOING SERIES CLASSIC MOVIE CONTINUITY COMING THIS APRIL!
March 22, 2011 – Los Angeles, CA – A bold new vision of the acclaimed sci-fi classic debuts this April as BOOM! Studios brings you an all-new, all-original ongoing PLANET OF THE APES comic series! Based firmly in Twentieth Century Fox’s PLANET OF THE APES franchise, this series written by award-winning sci-fi novelist Daryl Gregory (Dracula: The Company of Monsters, Pandemonium) and drawn by sensational artist Carlos Magno (Green Lantern Corps) transports you to a tumultuous time where man and ape stand at the uneasy brink of war! This April, don’t be the last to get your hands on these damn dirty apes! The PLANET OF THE APES comic series is produced under license by Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products.

“In the new series, we’re taking our cues from the classic Apes movies but we’re shaking it up with some major surprises of our own,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “This book is sure to make fans new and old cheer, rave and, dare I say, go Ape when they see what we have in store for them!”

Taking place before the original 1968 PLANET OF THE APES movie, but true to the continuity of the first five films, this new ongoing comic series begins in a time when Ape society reaches a new golden age. But there are ripples of dissent in both the ape and human ranks. Tensions will rise and soon all will be caught in chaos! And amidst all this uncertainty, what is the fate of ... The Lawgiver? Find out as a new chapter of the acclaimed sci-fi classic, PLANET OF THE APES, begins this April!

PLANET OF THE APES #1 is written by Daryl Gregory with art by Carlos Magno and ships with an A & B cover by Karl Richardson and Carlos Magno respectively and a special 1-in-10 incentive cover. This title ships in April and carries a Diamond Code of FEB110852.

For more information about Boom! Studios titles click here.