Rival doesn’t get rid of the caricature entirely for the final two chapters in the Escape adaptation, but he definitely starts getting more ominous. His villain–still beaming in delight at times–is truly frightening.
Having the last two chapters in the same issue is a real downer. Escape has an affecting conclusion and Moench and Rival adapt it well. Moench knows how to pace it out, how to keep the panels busy with dialogue when needed and how to let Rival pace out a sequence.
It’s difficult to find much to say about it because it’s such a close adaptation. Moench sticks to it (just a disclaimer, I think Escape is easily the best Apes movie); it works.
The conclusion’s busy; Rival could have used another page or two. He’s got lots of panels per page this issue, usually to pace an action scene.
It’s all quite well-done.
CREDITS
Escape from the Planet of the Apes, writer, Doug Moench; artist, Rico Rival; editor, Archie Goodwin; publisher, Marvel Comics.