I had hoped Moench would work out some of the kinks when adapting Beneath the Planet of the Apes, fixing the continuity problems. But he doesn’t. It’s a totally different world than the previous issue, even though only six days have passed.
I wonder if it bugged him, having to stay faithful to a screwed up script.
But it doesn’t really matter because he’s got Alfredo Alcala on the art and it’s wondrous. Alcala doesn’t have consistent detail–faces look different from panel to panel–but he’s got lots of ink washed detail. It’s beautiful art.
Moench’s script is decent. He seems a little rushed and he never takes the time to introduce the protagonist… Again, it’s probably because the source material didn’t take the time.
He’s assured and it’s good enough (thanks to the art). But that confidence might cause his lack of inventiveness.
Still, who cares? Alcala compensates.
CREDITS
Beneath the Planet of the Apes; writer, Doug Moench; artist, Alfredo Alcala; editor, Don McGregor; publisher, Marvel Comics.