Beware The Planet Of The Apes #4 - Marvel Comics

BEWARE THE PLANET OF THE APES No. 4, June 2024

Whilst Marc Guggenheim has publicly stated that “this [mini] series was a pleasure from start to finish”, it’s probably a bit doubtful that all that many of the title’s readers took much delight out of the American author’s twenty-page long storyline themselves. For despite depicting a somewhat action-packed clash between the newly conceived Hominidae Empire and its neighbouring human mutant colony, Hope’s Point, Issue Four of “Beware The Planet Of The Apes” relies upon far too many manufactured moments to arguably prove even slightly convincing a comic.

In fact, whether it be Cornelius miraculously finding an entire army of never-before-seen Gibbon slave workers, and convincing them to join in the fray so as to unsurprisingly turn the tide of battle against the antagonistic Gorillas. Or Ivana, mentally taking control of the entire population of great apes in order to calmly walk the mighty civilization straight into captivity, the book’s narrative debatably lurches almost unashamedly from one contrivance directly into another; “But then the guards left to join the battle.”

However, perhaps this publication’s most disappointing scene comes towards its end in the desperate conflict’s aftermath, when the television producer realises that all the knowledge acquired by Doctor Zira and her chimpanzee fiancé will make a complete mockery of Franklin J. Schaffner’s 1968 movie, if the pair, along with nephew Lucius, don’t conveniently have their memories of their adventures in the Forbidden Zone completely wiped. To be perfectly honest, ever since it was established that the human’s leader was capable of such a feat it was clear just such a ploy would be played. Yet even here Guggenheim appears incapable of leaving the original film entirely alone by first claiming that his mind-manipulating character is behind the veterinarian’s willingness to later help astronaut Colonel Taylor, and that Doctor Zaius actually witnesses the Icarus entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

Similarly as unconvincing as this periodical’s plot is sadly Alvaro Lopez’s layouts. The Vitoria-Gasteiz born artist is a proficient enough penciller. But so many of his panels lack any sort of background whatsoever, which makes many a sketched figure, especially the Hominidae Empire gorillas, appear rather awkward-looking and unrealistic. Having said that though, the Spanish illustrator does quite wonderfully capture the essence of late great actor Roddy McDowall when he draws Cornelius rallying the aforementioned Gibbons to his cause.

The regular cover art of "BEWARE THE PLANET OF THE APES" #4 by Taurin Clarke