You really can't be a comics fan without being a movie fan, too. And just like fans, we here at Dark Horse are excited about the same movies you are waiting to hit the big screen: The Mummy 2, The Matrix 2, The Lord of the Rings, etc. But for us here, and for me personally, the one that tops them all is Planet of the Apes!
When the original movie came out in 1968, I wasn't even a year old. But I saw it soon enough when I was a kid at a drive-in theater. It's safe to say I've seen it at least a dozen times since then. Anytime there's an APES marathon of the movie and its sequels, I'm there. Heck, I'll watch reruns of the old TV series. Hell, I'll even watch the darn cartoon!
It goes without saying that Dark Horse is proud to be bringing you a brand-new Planet of the Apes series based on the Tim Burton movie that's coming out on July 27. Proud? Proud doesn't cover it. I'm beside myself! And as for the movie? I'm counting the days. One of the perks of being an editor is that we'll occasionally get to see some clips or photos from a movie before it ever comes out. Well, this time I hit the jackpot, and actually got to see them filming on the APES sound stages in LA as part of research for the comic series. All I can say is... amazing. But you can judge for yourself soon enough.
For the comic series, I've assembled creators that are at least as big APES fans as I am. It was a prerequisite for the job. Scott Allie (Titan AE) and Davide Fabbri (Star Wars) will be at the helm on the comics adaptation of the movie. Our three-issue series, taking place decades after the new movie, will be done by Ian Edginton and Paco Medina. Edginton is one of the most talented and underrated writing talents in comics. Medina has already turned out some great work for DC on Superman, but this new talent is growing so fast, his work on Apes is marked to eclipse even that stellar effort.
Oh...and did I mention the covers by J. Scott "Danger Girl" Campbell?!
This summer, be prepared to GO APE! As you can see, I already have.
-- Phil Amara
Editor