Planet of the Apes joins Marvel: New series by Walker & Watcher
By Liam McGuire
Apr 4th 2023
The world of the Planet of the Apes is coming to the Marvel Universe, as the publisher is about to release a new series featuring the primates from the long-running film franchise. David F. Walker (Bitter Root) and Dave Watcher (Blade: Vampire Kingdom) are tackling the new story for Marvel, which will bring a new retelling of the Planet of The Apes.
Marvel Comics acquired the comic book rights to a few 20th Century Studios properties as part of Disney’s mega-deal with Fox over three years ago. Thus far, Marvel Comics has published multiple Alien titles from Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Salvador Larocca, and Julius Ohta. At the same time, writer Ed Brisson has told a new Predator story alongside Kev Walker and Netho Diaz, where the Predators themselves have become the prey. With Marvel announcing a 20th Century Studios imprint, the next comic to come from the film world will be Planet of the Apes from Walker and Watcher. The story will focus on a deadly virus spreading worldwide as a group of violent extremists will try to wipe out apes to stop it. The conflict from the battle between good and evil, right and wrong, and those who survive and those who don’t will set the stage for Planet of the Apes comics to come.
A new era of apes kicks off with part 1 of “Devolution”! The ALZ-113 virus has rampaged across planet Earth, and humanity is crumbling. While well-meaning researchers hunt for a cure, a fanatical group of humans has their own solution: Kill all apes. Peacekeeper Juliana Tobon is one of the few willing to stand against them, but the crisis is spreading, and soon apes will witness the true depths of human cruelty… Eisner-winning writer David F. Walker (Luke Cage, Bitter Root) joins forces with artist Dave Wachter (Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon, Star Wars: The High Republic – Trail of Shadows) on one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises in history!
After releasing a series of variant covers starring Marvel heroes and villains battling against the apes from Planet of the Apes (some of which are still available on CaptCan Comics), Planet of the Apes #1 will feature several covers. Dean White, Yanick Paquette, Dave McKone, and Logan Lubera are drawing the main covers for the series. Salvador Larocca is drawing the 1:25 variant with a virgin cover of the same image being the 1:100 variant. George Tuska illustrated the 1:50 variant, which features the Empire State Building being toppled.
It remains to be seen what timeline the new Planet of the Apes series takes place in. Still, considering its retelling of the downfall of humanity following the virus spreading in the air, it looks as if the comic will be loyal to the films that came before it. Readers can pick up Planet of the Apes #1, which is available at CaptCan Comics on NOW!.
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