Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Planet Of The Apes #11Planet Of The Apes #11
Boom! Studios
Gregory & Magno

Planet of the Apes has been a book that has been pumping out issue after issue of political drama, snippets of war and character-driven conflicts. This issue everything comes together. I can't say that everything has been driving towards this particular story, but it sure seems like nothing is going to be the same after this issue. The book was very good until the last page when this issue was elevated to great. If you are fan of the franchise or any sort of war, science fiction or just drama comic then this is the book for you.

Unlike the other issues, this comic really keeps its focus on one of the plots: Sullivan and her baby. This is the issue where the baby is born. These scenes are particularly disturbing because it is clear the apes have no idea how to deliver a human baby. Voice Alaya wants Sullivan alive, but she also wants the baby. For what purpose? Well, we learn that in this issue as well and it came as a surprise. While Sullivan bleeds on the delivery table, she decides to take a chance to escape.

Two other subplots converge on the very location that Sullivan is housed. The airship, controlled by humans with ape prisoner pilots, reveals its intentions with horrifying results. Finally, Sullivan's would-be-hero, Bako, finds himself in a bind and an unexpected weapon while attempting his infiltration.
It's a fantastic comic book. It moves incredibly fast and builds to a conclusion I just didn't see it coming on multiple fronts. With the upcoming solicitations stating that the book is about to jump forward by a decade, I have a feeling a lot of these characters are in trouble. This issue may only be the beginning of the end for some of them.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsUp to this point I have loved the artwork. This issue started out in the same stellar fashion. Magno nails the pain in the child birth sequence as well as the confusion and indifference of the ape doctors. The opening to this book was terrific visually. However, it took a turn right after the baby is born. It appears that Sullivan is thrown down by the doctor, only to be standing and nowhere near the ape in the next panel. Second, aboard the airship, the apes appear to revolt and one of them is stabbed. However, the consecutive panels of the stabbing make it look like two different humans are involved which doesn't seem possible based on their positions immediately before and after the scene. This inconsistency is the first I have seen in the book and doesn't overshadow the art as a whole, but it is worth noting. Otherwise, the visuals convey the necessary drama very well.

Some books are game-changers. This is one of them. It's not quite the level of Charlton Heston finding the Statue of Liberty on the beach but it is really close. This is an excellent read.

4.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles