Planet of the Apes (comic book)
Encyclopedia
Planet of the Apes comics are tie-ins to the Planet of the Apes universe. They have been released by several publishers over the years and include tie-in
s and spin-offs
.
adaptations of the first film, both entitled Saru no Wakusei (lit. "Planet of Monkeys"). The first was written and drawn by Jôji Enami and published in the manga magazine Bessatsu Bôken'Ô in April 1968. The second was drawn by Minoru Kuroda and published in the manga Tengoku Zôkan in June 1971. Battle for the Planet of the Apes
(最後の猿の惑星 - Saigo no Saru no Wakusei, "Battle on the Planet of Monkeys" , in Japanese
) was also adapted into a manga by Mitsuru Sugaya, and published in a 1973 special issue of the magazine Weekly Shōnen Champion
.
produced an adaptation of the second film
in 1970. That was the very first comics publication in the Planet of the Apes franchise.
released a number of titles, the longest-lived being Planet of the Apes (published under the Marvel imprint Curtis Magazines
), which appeared in black-and-white magazine format, and ran for twenty-nine issues from 1974 to 1977. Besides adaptations of all five movies, the magazine featured original Apes stories, with writing from Doug Moench
and Gerry Conway
and art from Mike Esposito
, Mike Ploog
, George Tuska
, and many others. Articles about the making of both the movies and the Planet of the Apes television series
were also a mainstay.
In 1975, Adventures on the Planet of the Apes offered color versions of the adaptations of the first two films in five or six issue arcs, for total of 11 issues. It was written by Doug Moench
.
The stories from the U.S. magazine were edited and were released by Marvel UK
in a weekly title of the same name over 123 issues from 1974-1977. This included adapted reprints of the Killraven
comic, renamed as Apeslayer and with alien apes as enemies. The British title changed names to Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives, before merging into The Mighty World of Marvel
#231-240, where the title spot on the cover was shared between Planet of the Apes and The Incredible Hulk
— also being stories from the U.S. runs.
s, and appeared in LP format as well. The company also produced an audio-only series on LP that featured the main characters of the television series — Virdon, Burke and Galen — in original stories.
, a U.K. toy company, produced 32 short film-based comic strips containing illustrated scenes from various TV series episodes, packaged as part of the slideshow projector playset, named respectively Chad Valley Picture Show: Planet of the Apes Sliderama Projector* These strips are extremely rare and difficult to come by, and contain many continuity errors.
*Very similar to the many Give-a-Show projector sets of the 1970s.
.
' characters. It was written by Jorge Claudio Morhain, and Ricardo Barreiro
, with art by Sergio Mulko
and T. Toledo. Five additional issues were planned, but were never produced. To date, the Spanish stories have never been published in English, but translations have been made available on fan sites.
company published a comic adaptation of Pierre Boulle
's original novel, titled A Majmok bolygója (lit. "The Monkey Planet"). This adaptation was written and drawn by Hungarian comic artist Ernő Zórád. To date, the Hungarian comic has never been published in English, but a translations has been made available on fan sites.
, produced more original storylines, set after the time of Caesar. These included a 24-issue monthly title, a one-shot (Sins of the Father), a Planet of the Apes annual and five original miniseries: Urchak's Folly, Forbidden Zone, Ape City, Blood of the Apes and a crossover
with Alien Nation called Ape Nation. Adventure also reprinted Marvel's adaptations of the first three films as well as a four issue series featuring installments from Marvel's Terror on the Planet of the Apes saga.
series was written by Ian Edginton
and was a tie-in with the Tim Burton
's 2001 Apes film
. Between 2000–2001, Dark Horse published a film adaptation, a miniseries, a brief ongoing run
, a Toys R' Us minicomic
and a three-part serial in Dark Horse Extra.
Sam Agro, and other writers, with art by Gabriel Morrissette
and additional artists. The story picked up shortly after Caesar's conquest of the Earth after the apes' revolt
and attempted to bridge the time gap before Battle for the Planet of the Apes
(1973). Further stories were slated for release, including the next planned title, Empire on the Planet of the Apes, but the graphic novel collecting the Revolution miniseries was canceled, as was the Empire follow-up.
began publishing a new Planet of the Apes comic book line, written by novelist Daryl Gregory, illustrated by Carlos Magno and edited by Ian Brill, with covers by Karl Richardson and Chad Hardin. Little is yet known about the storyline, though it is set after Battle for the Planet of the Apes
(1973) and before Arthur P. Jacobs
' 1968 Apes film
.
:
In addition, Adventure Comics released trade-paperback compilations of Marvel's adaptations of the first three films, as well as a collection of its own first four monthly issues, entitled Monkey Planet.
Tie-in
A tie-in is an authorized product based on a media property a company is releasing, such as a movie or video/DVD, computer game, video game, television program/television series, board game, web site, role-playing game or literary property...
s and spin-offs
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
.
Japanese comics (manga)
There are two mangaManga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
adaptations of the first film, both entitled Saru no Wakusei (lit. "Planet of Monkeys"). The first was written and drawn by Jôji Enami and published in the manga magazine Bessatsu Bôken'Ô in April 1968. The second was drawn by Minoru Kuroda and published in the manga Tengoku Zôkan in June 1971. Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a 1973 science fiction film directed by J. Lee Thompson. It is the fifth and last entry in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P...
(最後の猿の惑星 - Saigo no Saru no Wakusei, "Battle on the Planet of Monkeys" , in Japanese
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
) was also adapted into a manga by Mitsuru Sugaya, and published in a 1973 special issue of the magazine Weekly Shōnen Champion
Weekly Shonen Champion
is a weekly shōnen manga magazine published by Akita Shoten.- History :Shōnen Champion was first published 15 July 1969. It has had numerous popular series by manga artists such as Osamu Tezuka, Go Nagai, Shinji Mizushima, and Keisuke Itagaki...
.
Gold Key Comics
Gold Key ComicsGold Key Comics
Gold Key Comics was an imprint of Western Publishing created for comic books distributed to newsstands. Also known as Whitman Comics, Gold Key operated from 1962 to 1984.-History:...
produced an adaptation of the second film
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Beneath the Planet of the Apes is a 1970 American science fiction film directed by Ted Post and written by Paul Dehn. It is the second of five films in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs...
in 1970. That was the very first comics publication in the Planet of the Apes franchise.
Marvel Comics
Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
released a number of titles, the longest-lived being Planet of the Apes (published under the Marvel imprint Curtis Magazines
Curtis Magazines
Curtis Magazines was an imprint of Marvel Comics that existed from 1971 to 1980. The imprint published black-and-white magazines that did not carry the Comics Code Authority seal. Initially, page counts varied between 68,76, and 84 pages....
), which appeared in black-and-white magazine format, and ran for twenty-nine issues from 1974 to 1977. Besides adaptations of all five movies, the magazine featured original Apes stories, with writing from Doug Moench
Doug Moench
Douglas Moench , better known as Doug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok.-Biography:...
and Gerry Conway
Gerry Conway
Gerard F. "Gerry" Conway is an American writer of comic books and television shows. He is known for co-creating the Marvel Comics vigilante The Punisher and scripting the death of the character Gwen Stacy during his long run on The Amazing Spider-Man...
and art from Mike Esposito
Mike Esposito (comics)
Mike Esposito , who sometimes used the pseudonyms Mickey Demeo, Mickey Dee, Michael Dee, and Joe Gaudioso, was an American comic book artist whose work for DC Comics, Marvel Comics and others spanned the 1950s to the 2000s...
, Mike Ploog
Mike Ploog
Michael G. Ploog is an American storyboard and comic book artist, and a visual designer for movies....
, George Tuska
George Tuska
George Tuska , who early in his career used a variety of pen names including Carl Larson, was an American comic book and newspaper comic strip artist best known for his 1940s work on various Captain Marvel titles and the crime fiction series Crime Does Not Pay, for and his 1960s work illustrating...
, and many others. Articles about the making of both the movies and the Planet of the Apes television series
Planet of the Apes (TV series)
Planet of the Apes was a short-lived American science fiction television series that aired on Friday evenings at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central on CBS in 1974. The series starred Roddy McDowall, Ron Harper, and James Naughton, Mark Lenard and Booth Colman...
were also a mainstay.
In 1975, Adventures on the Planet of the Apes offered color versions of the adaptations of the first two films in five or six issue arcs, for total of 11 issues. It was written by Doug Moench
Doug Moench
Douglas Moench , better known as Doug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok.-Biography:...
.
The stories from the U.S. magazine were edited and were released by Marvel UK
Marvel UK
Marvel UK was an imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint US produced stories for the British weekly comic market, though it later did produce original material by British creators such as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Dave Gibbons, Steve Dillon and Grant Morrison.Panini Comics obtained the...
in a weekly title of the same name over 123 issues from 1974-1977. This included adapted reprints of the Killraven
Killraven
Killraven is a fictional freedom fighter in several post-apocalyptic alternate futures of the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Amazing Adventures #18 , created by co-plotters Roy Thomas and Neal Adams, scripter Gerry Conway, and penciller Adams...
comic, renamed as Apeslayer and with alien apes as enemies. The British title changed names to Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives, before merging into The Mighty World of Marvel
The Mighty World Of Marvel
The Mighty World Of Marvel was Marvel UK's first-ever title, debuting in 1972, and is also the name of a similar current comic printed by Panini Comics, which bought the Marvel UK titles....
#231-240, where the title spot on the cover was shared between Planet of the Apes and The Incredible Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
— also being stories from the U.S. runs.
Power Records
In 1975, Power Records made adaptations of four of the films which were included with Book-and-Record setBook-and-Record set
Book-and-Record sets are a form of edutainment for children, consisting of a picture storybook and an accompanying recording to be played while following along with the book...
s, and appeared in LP format as well. The company also produced an audio-only series on LP that featured the main characters of the television series — Virdon, Burke and Galen — in original stories.
Chad Valley
In 1975, Chad ValleyChad Valley
Chad Valley is a long-established brand of toys in the United Kingdom owned by Home Retail Group. The company has its roots in a printing business established by Anthony Bunn Johnson in Birmingham in the early 19th century...
, a U.K. toy company, produced 32 short film-based comic strips containing illustrated scenes from various TV series episodes, packaged as part of the slideshow projector playset, named respectively Chad Valley Picture Show: Planet of the Apes Sliderama Projector* These strips are extremely rare and difficult to come by, and contain many continuity errors.
*Very similar to the many Give-a-Show projector sets of the 1970s.
Brown Watson Books
Between 1975–1977, Brown Watson Books published a trio of UK-published hardcover comic annuals based on the spin-off 1974 television seriesPlanet of the Apes (TV series)
Planet of the Apes was a short-lived American science fiction television series that aired on Friday evenings at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central on CBS in 1974. The series starred Roddy McDowall, Ron Harper, and James Naughton, Mark Lenard and Booth Colman...
.
Editorial Mo.Pa.Sa.
Editorial Mo.Pa.Sa., an Argentine company, published seven Spanish-language Apes comics in the 1970s, featuring original tales about the television seriesPlanet of the Apes (TV series)
Planet of the Apes was a short-lived American science fiction television series that aired on Friday evenings at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central on CBS in 1974. The series starred Roddy McDowall, Ron Harper, and James Naughton, Mark Lenard and Booth Colman...
' characters. It was written by Jorge Claudio Morhain, and Ricardo Barreiro
Ricardo Barreiro
Ricardo Barreiro was an Argentine comic book writer.-Biography:Barreiro was born in the barrio of Palermo in Buenos Aires. At a very early age he published articles and short stories on the underground magazine Sancho. His first comic book as writer was SlotBar, with art by Francisco Solano Lopez...
, with art by Sergio Mulko
Sergio Mulko
Sergio Mulko is an Argentine comic artist.At a young age, he moved to Mar del Plata, from where he began publishing for the Columba Publishing house of Buenos Aires. He alternated the drawing of Nippur de Lagash with his creator, Lucho Olivera...
and T. Toledo. Five additional issues were planned, but were never produced. To date, the Spanish stories have never been published in English, but translations have been made available on fan sites.
Hungarian comic
In 1981, a HungarianHungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
company published a comic adaptation of Pierre Boulle
Pierre Boulle
Pierre Boulle was a French novelist largely known for two famous works, The Bridge over the River Kwai and Planet of the Apes .-Biography:...
's original novel, titled A Majmok bolygója (lit. "The Monkey Planet"). This adaptation was written and drawn by Hungarian comic artist Ernő Zórád. To date, the Hungarian comic has never been published in English, but a translations has been made available on fan sites.
Malibu Publishing/Adventure Comics
Between 1990–1993, Adventure Comics, a division of Malibu PublishingMalibu Comics
Malibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
, produced more original storylines, set after the time of Caesar. These included a 24-issue monthly title, a one-shot (Sins of the Father), a Planet of the Apes annual and five original miniseries: Urchak's Folly, Forbidden Zone, Ape City, Blood of the Apes and a crossover
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
with Alien Nation called Ape Nation. Adventure also reprinted Marvel's adaptations of the first three films as well as a four issue series featuring installments from Marvel's Terror on the Planet of the Apes saga.
Filipino Parody
In the 1990s, a Filipino parody adaptation called Planet op di Eyps was serialized in Pilipino Funny Komiks.Dark Horse Comics
The Dark HorseDark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
series was written by Ian Edginton
Ian Edginton
Ian Edginton is a British comic book writer.He is one of the few British comic talents to follow the reverse trajectory to the one usually taken: becoming successful in American comics before returning to work for 2000 AD.-Biography:...
and was a tie-in with the Tim Burton
Tim Burton
Timothy William "Tim" Burton is an American film director, film producer, writer and artist. He is famous for dark, quirky-themed movies such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet...
's 2001 Apes film
Planet of the Apes (2001 film)
Planet of the Apes is a 2001 American science fiction film, based on Pierre Boulle's novel and a remake of the 1968 film of the same name. Tim Burton directed the film, which stars Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Paul Giamatti, and Estella Warren. It tells the...
. Between 2000–2001, Dark Horse published a film adaptation, a miniseries, a brief ongoing run
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
, a Toys R' Us minicomic
Minicomic
A minicomic is a creator-published comic book, often photocopied and stapled or with a handmade binding. In the United Kingdom and Europe the term "small press comic" is equivalent with minicomic reserved for those publications measuring A6 or less...
and a three-part serial in Dark Horse Extra.
Mr. Comics
Mr. Comics had the license until 2005 and released a six-issue miniseries, Revolution on the Planet of the Apes, by Joe O'Brien, Ty TempletonTy Templeton
Ty Templeton is a popular Canadian comic book artist and writer who has drawn a number of popular mainstream titles, TV-associated titles and his own series.-Biography:Templeton was born on May 9, 1962...
Sam Agro, and other writers, with art by Gabriel Morrissette
Gabriel Morrissette
Gabriel Morrissette is an illustrator, animator and comic book artist from Montreal, Canada. Currently working for Jackfruit Press on their Prime Minister series and Chickadee on Daisy Dreamer, Gabriel co-created Northguard, Fleur de Lys and Angloman with Mark Shainblum.Gabriel has worked for...
and additional artists. The story picked up shortly after Caesar's conquest of the Earth after the apes' revolt
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes is a 1972 science fiction film directed by J. Lee Thompson. It is the fourth of five films in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs. It explores how the apes rebelled from mankind's ill treatment following Escape from the Planet of...
and attempted to bridge the time gap before Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a 1973 science fiction film directed by J. Lee Thompson. It is the fifth and last entry in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P...
(1973). Further stories were slated for release, including the next planned title, Empire on the Planet of the Apes, but the graphic novel collecting the Revolution miniseries was canceled, as was the Empire follow-up.
BOOM! Studios
Starting in April 2011, BOOM! StudiosBoom! Studios
BOOM! Studios is an American comic book company headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States. The "BOOM!" in BOOM! Studios is always capitalized by the company.-History:BOOM! was founded June 22, 2005 with Zombie Tales #1....
began publishing a new Planet of the Apes comic book line, written by novelist Daryl Gregory, illustrated by Carlos Magno and edited by Ian Brill, with covers by Karl Richardson and Chad Hardin. Little is yet known about the storyline, though it is set after Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a 1973 science fiction film directed by J. Lee Thompson. It is the fifth and last entry in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P...
(1973) and before Arthur P. Jacobs
Arthur P. Jacobs
Arthur Jacobs was a twentieth century film producer responsible for numerous classic films of the 1960s and 1970s, including the Planet of the Apes series, Doctor Dolittle, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, Play It Again, Sam and Tom Sawyer...
' 1968 Apes film
Planet of the Apes (1968 film)
Planet of the Apes is a 1968 American science fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, based on the 1963 French novel La Planète des singes by Pierre Boulle. The film stars Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, James Daly and Linda Harrison...
.
Compilations
Some of the comics have been collected together as trade paperbacksTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
- Planet of the Apes (with Ian EdgintonIan EdgintonIan Edginton is a British comic book writer.He is one of the few British comic talents to follow the reverse trajectory to the one usually taken: becoming successful in American comics before returning to work for 2000 AD.-Biography:...
, for Dark HorseDark Horse ComicsDark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
):- Human Wars (with Pencils: Paco Medina, Adrian Sibar; Inks: Juan Vlasco, Norman Lee, Christopher Ivy, 2001)
- The Ongoing Saga Volume 1: Old Gods (with Pencils: Adrian Sibar, Paco Medina; Inks: Norman Lee, Juan Vlasco, 2001–2002, Titan BooksTitan BooksTitan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981. It is based at offices in London, England's Bankside area. The Books Division has two main areas of publishing: film & TV tie-ins/cinema reference books; and graphic novels and comics reference/art titles. The...
ISBN 1-84023-429-6) - The Ongoing Saga Volume 2: Blood Lines (with Co-writer: Dan AbnettDan AbnettDan Abnett is a British comic book writer and novelist. He is a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and is known for his work on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since the 1990s, including 2000 AD...
; Pencils: Sanford Greene, Pop MhanPop Mhan-Biography:Pop Mhan was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and immigrated to the United States at the age of three. He joined Wildstorm Productions in San Diego and studied sequential art under Jim Lee...
, Paco Medina, Adrian Sibar; Inks: Norman Lee, Pop MhanPop Mhan-Biography:Pop Mhan was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and immigrated to the United States at the age of three. He joined Wildstorm Productions in San Diego and studied sequential art under Jim Lee...
, Juan Vlasco, 2001–2002)
In addition, Adventure Comics released trade-paperback compilations of Marvel's adaptations of the first three films, as well as a collection of its own first four monthly issues, entitled Monkey Planet.
External links
- Reviews of the various Planet of the Apes comic book series at Comics Fondle
- Comics section of Hunter Goatley's Planet of the Apes Archive featuring complete versions of Gold Key, Marvel UK and Hungarian PotA comics
- Power Records section of Hunter's Planet of the Apes Archive featuring complete versions of Power Records PotA Book & Records
- 'Brown-Watson Annuals' section of Planet of the Apes TV Series Site featuring all comic strips, short stories and articles from the mid-1970s annuals
- Comics section of Planet of the Apes TV Series Site featuring fully translated Argentinian PotA comics
- Welcome Back to the Planet of the Apes, Comics Scene #13 (1990) about the Adventure Comics run on PotA
- Comics database entry for the Dark Horse series as well as Marvel's Planet of the Apes and Adventures On The Planet Of The Apes
- Dark Horse individual pages:
- Titan's Old Gods
- People In The News preview of the Mr Comics series
- Interview with Joe O'Brien about the Mr. Comics series