Moench and Alcala wrap up their Beneath adaptation. Moench doesn’t match the off-putting final moment, though he does manage to make the whole thing personal to the characters. It’s much better than the movie; it has great Alcala art and no bad Charlton Heston acting. I just wish Alcala had more interesting subject matter.
The original story–with Ploog art, yay–sort of wraps up the storyline Moench started in the first issue. The human protagonist embraces hatred, which is rather depressing, but it’s also pretty darned cool.
Planet of the Apes is willing to be downbeat, to let the bad guys win. It’s not simplistic, even with goofy theme apes. Moench does go overboard with the dialogue. He writes two Lawgiver speeches and they go on forever in mediocre (at best) parables.
Also in the finale, Moench reveals there were subtle recurring themes throughout.
It’s rather well executed.
CREDITS
When the Lawgiver Returns; writer, Doug Moench; artist, Mike Ploog. Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Part Six: The Hell of Holocaust; writer, Moench; artist, Alfredo Alcala. Editor, Archie Goodwin; publisher, Marvel Comics.
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