Review – Planet of the Apes/Green Lantern #1 (of 6) (BOOM! Studios)

Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writers: Robbie Thompson & Justin Jordan
Artist: Barnaby Bagenda
Release Date: 1st February 2017

[Note: Review contains Spoilers]

The press release for this series leads us beguilingly onward, saying: “When Taylor goes missing, Cornelius investigates and discovers an ancient ring, unlike anything he has ever seen. As its power echoes through the stars, the Guardians of the Universe must reveal to their Lanterns a secret they had hoped would remain buried. With the Green Lantern Corps, led by Hal Jordan, racing to get to the source of this power before Sinestro can get his hands on it, they will discover a truth that will change them forever on… the Planet of the Apes!”

Intrigued? I was.

This first issue kicks off with a mysterious figure syphoning energy from, if not outright killing, a group of Lanterns from right across the colour spectrum. It then cuts to what appears to be the original version of Planet of the Apes, with reference to Taylor and appearances from Nova and Cornelius, two of the main characters from the movie. It feels that this particular tale is picking things up some time after the original movie with Cornelius searching for Taylor and finding a power ring in a crater.

Cue another cut, this time to the Green Lantern Corp on OA defending the planet from an ill-considered attack by a group of Red Lanterns. Thwarting the attack, we then cut to Sinestro, doing what Sinestro does best, being villainous. That’s the introductions made, then the threads are pulled to make Hal Jordan and Sinestro crash through time and end up in Cornelius’s world. There’s a nice scene with Hal and the Statue of Liberty which made me smile out loud.

The issue ends with something of a mystery and Cornelius wielding the power ring that he found, with unusual results and no doubt some serious consequences. I want to know what these consequences are, I’ve been drawn in with a panache.

Thompson appears to be weaving a compelling tale, which Jordan is translating onto the page very well indeed. This issue was a pleasant read, and the art from Bagenda is good, as you would expect after his stint on Omega Men. Everything looks “right”, y’know? Sometimes you get a crossover where one aspect or another falls down, but that doesn’t happen here. Well written and well rendered, this is definitely a promising start.

Rating: 4/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK / VARIANT COVERS
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