Angel and the Ape
Encyclopedia
Angel and the Ape was a humor comic book
created by E. Nelson Bridwell
published by DC Comics
. The characters first appeared in 1968
in Showcase #77 then graduated to their own title, with art by comic artist Bob Oksner
, most often inked by Wally Wood
. The title lasted for seven issues, changing its name to Meet Angel for its final appearance.
who manages the O'Day and Simeon Detective Agency with her partner, Sam Simeon. Sam differs from many stereotypical
detectives; besides helping Angel, Sam is both a comic book artist and a talking gorilla
. Sam's last name is obviously a play on the word "simian" ("of or pertaining to an ape or monkey").
in the 1990s
, where Angel and the Ape stuck true to its zany roots. In Phil Foglio
's 1991
mini-series
, Angel is revealed to be the half sister of Dumb Bunny, a member of the super-heroic group the Inferior Five
, also created by Bridwell. Sam is changed, too; he is not only employed by "DZ Comics
" as an artist, but is also the grandson of Gorilla Grodd
, a nemesis of The Flash. As such, Sam has mental powers that he can use to make a limited number of people see him as a human being. However, a break in his concentration allows people to see him in his true form. This is in contrast to the original series, wherein people see Sam's true form but convinced themselves he is simply an unusually ape-like human male, since it is "impossible" for there to be such a thing as a talking gorilla.
In JLA: Another Nail
, "Karl
" and Lois went to see an Angel and the Ape film. Karl comment that the Ape "didn't look real", Lois told him it was CGI
.
A second revival was made in early 2001
under DC's Vertigo imprint, with a vastly different take. The four issue limited series was written by Howard Chaykin
and David Tischman
, with art by Philip Bond
and covers by Arthur Adams.
The two appeared in a one-page story in DC Holiday Special 09, written and drawn by Andrew Pepoy
.
They have also appeared in Infinite Crisis #5 (April 2006) in the gathering of heroes in the opening spread set in a church.
to Batman: The Brave and the Bold
. They helped Batman to apprehend some criminals in the first portion on the comic.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
created by E. Nelson Bridwell
E. Nelson Bridwell
Edward Nelson Bridwell was a writer for Mad magazine and various comic books published by DC Comics. One of the writers for the Batman comic strip and Super Friends, he also wrote The Inferior Five, among other comics...
published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. The characters first appeared in 1968
1968 in comics
See also:1968 in comics,other events of 1968,1969 in comics,1960s in comics and thelist of years in comics- Year overall :* With Kinney National Company's acquisition of Warner Bros., DC Comics becomes part of what eventually will be known as Warner Communications.* DC Comics art director Carmine...
in Showcase #77 then graduated to their own title, with art by comic artist Bob Oksner
Bob Oksner
Bob Oksner was an American comics artist known for both adventure comic strips and for superhero and humor comic books, primarily at DC Comics.-Biography:...
, most often inked by Wally Wood
Wally Wood
Wallace Allan Wood was an American comic book writer, artist and independent publisher, best known for his work in EC Comics and Mad. He was one of Mads founding cartoonists in 1952. Although much of his early professional artwork is signed Wallace Wood, he became known as Wally Wood, a name he...
. The title lasted for seven issues, changing its name to Meet Angel for its final appearance.
Series overview
Angel O'Day is a private investigatorPrivate investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
who manages the O'Day and Simeon Detective Agency with her partner, Sam Simeon. Sam differs from many stereotypical
Stereotype
A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many other different meanings...
detectives; besides helping Angel, Sam is both a comic book artist and a talking gorilla
Gorilla
Gorillas are the largest extant species of primates. They are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and either four or five subspecies...
. Sam's last name is obviously a play on the word "simian" ("of or pertaining to an ape or monkey").
Revivals
The series has been revived twice. The first was by Phil FoglioPhil Foglio
Philip "Phil" Foglio is an American cartoonist and comic book artist best known for his humorous science fiction and fantasy work.-Early life and career:...
in the 1990s
1990s in comics
See also:1980s in comics,other events of the 1990s,2000s in comics and thelist of years in comicsPublications: 1990 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999-1992:See also: 1992 in comics...
, where Angel and the Ape stuck true to its zany roots. In Phil Foglio
Phil Foglio
Philip "Phil" Foglio is an American cartoonist and comic book artist best known for his humorous science fiction and fantasy work.-Early life and career:...
's 1991
1991 in comics
-January:* Checkmate is canceled by DC Comics with issue #33.* El Diablo vol. 2 is canceled by DC with issue #16.* Count Duckula is canceled by the Marvel Comics imprint Star Comics with issue #15....
mini-series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
, Angel is revealed to be the half sister of Dumb Bunny, a member of the super-heroic group the Inferior Five
Inferior Five
The Inferior Five are a parody superhero team that premiered in the DC Comics title Showcase #62 . Created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Joe Orlando and Mike Esposito , the group was intended as a parody not only of the Fantastic Four, but of all the superhero teams whose members had such great...
, also created by Bridwell. Sam is changed, too; he is not only employed by "DZ Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
" as an artist, but is also the grandson of Gorilla Grodd
Gorilla Grodd
Gorilla Grodd is a supervillain appearing in DC Comics, primarily as an enemy of The Flash. He debuted in Flash v.1 #106 , and was created by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino....
, a nemesis of The Flash. As such, Sam has mental powers that he can use to make a limited number of people see him as a human being. However, a break in his concentration allows people to see him in his true form. This is in contrast to the original series, wherein people see Sam's true form but convinced themselves he is simply an unusually ape-like human male, since it is "impossible" for there to be such a thing as a talking gorilla.
In JLA: Another Nail
JLA: Another Nail
JLA: Another Nail is a comic book mini-series published in the United States by DC Comics, a continuation of events seen in the original three-part mini-series JLA: The Nail. As with its predecessor, Another Nail occurs outside of the official DC Universe continuity, belonging to the Elseworlds...
, "Karl
Clark Kent
Clark Kent is a fictional character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Appearing regularly in stories published by DC Comics, he debuted in Action Comics #1 and serves as the civilian and secret identity of the superhero Superman....
" and Lois went to see an Angel and the Ape film. Karl comment that the Ape "didn't look real", Lois told him it was CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
.
A second revival was made in early 2001
2001 in comics
-Year overall:* Marvel Comics withdraws from the Comics Code Authority and established its own rating system for its publications.- January :* January 23: Fred Ray, Superman's primary cover artist of the 1940s, passes away at age 80.- September :...
under DC's Vertigo imprint, with a vastly different take. The four issue limited series was written by Howard Chaykin
Howard Chaykin
Howard Victor Chaykin is an American comic book writer and artist famous for his innovative storytelling and sometimes controversial material...
and David Tischman
David Tischman
David Tischman is an American comic book writer who has been active since 2000, writing for such series as American Century, Cable, Bite Club, and Star Trek.-Biography:Tischman wrote Greatest Hits at Vertigo....
, with art by Philip Bond
Philip Bond
Philip J. Bond is a British comic book artist, who first came to prominence in the late 1980s on Deadline magazine, and later through a number of collaborations with British writers for the DC Comics imprint Vertigo....
and covers by Arthur Adams.
The two appeared in a one-page story in DC Holiday Special 09, written and drawn by Andrew Pepoy
Andrew Pepoy
Andrew Pepoy is an American comic book artist writer and artist.-Early life:Andrew Pepoy was born on May 13, 1969 in Holland, Michigan.-Career:Pepoy began working as a professional artist while still in college at Loyola University Chicago....
.
Appearances
- Showcase #77 (September 1968): "Angel and the Ape"
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 1 #1 (November-December 1968)
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 1 #2 (January-February 1969)
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 1 #3 (March-April 1969)
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 1 #4 (May-June 1969)
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 1 #5 (July-August 1969)
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 1 #6 (September-October 1969)
- Meet Angel #7 (November-December 1969)
- Limited Collectors' Edition #C-34 (February-March 1975) (Christmas with the Super-Heroes)
- Showcase #100 (May 1978): "There Shall Come a Gathering"
- Crisis on Infinite Earths #11 (February 1986): "Aftershock" (Angel appears with Harvey BullockHarvey Bullock (comics)Harvey Bullock is a fictional character from DC Comics' Batman titles.-Fictional character biography:Prior to the 1984-85 DC maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths, Bullock is a crooked police detective under instructions from Gotham City's Mayor Hamilton Hill to sabotage Commissioner Gordon's career...
and Jonni Thunder and Sam appears with Detective ChimpDetective ChimpIn the fictional DC Universe, Detective Chimp is a deerstalker-wearing chimpanzee with human-level intelligence who solves crimes, often with the help of the Bureau of Amplified Animals, a group of intelligent animals that also includes Rex the Wonder Dog...
, but they do not appear together.) - Swamp Thing Annual Vol. 2 #3 (1987): "Distant Cousins"
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 2 #1 (March 1991): "Shaking the Family Tree"
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 2 #2 (April 1991): "The Apes of Wrath"
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 2 #3 (May 1991): "Family Feud"
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 2 #4 (June 1991): "Monkey See - Monkey Doom"
- Guy Gardner: Warrior #29 (March 1995): "It's My Party And I'll Fight If I Want To"
- Martian Manhunter Annual #2 (1999): "Fear and Loathing on the Planet of Apes"
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 3 #1 (October 2001): "Model Behavior"
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 3 #2 (November 2001): "Death Becomes Her"
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 3 #3 (December 2001): "36DD For Death"
- Angel and the Ape Vol. 3 #4 (January 2002): "Deux Ex Machina"
They have also appeared in Infinite Crisis #5 (April 2006) in the gathering of heroes in the opening spread set in a church.
In other media
Angel and the Ape made an appearance in an issue of the comic book tie-inBatman: The Brave and the Bold (comics)
Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an American comic book series published by DC Comics. It is based on the TV series of the same name.-UK Title:The UK version is published by Titan Magazines and the first issue was released on 11 March 2010...
to Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain...
. They helped Batman to apprehend some criminals in the first portion on the comic.