Planet of the Apes vs Fantastic Four #1 Is a Fun Crossover of Two Properties that Fit Wonderfully (Review)

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In 1961, Marvel’s Fantastic Four revolutionized science fiction comics. Though their popularity has fluctuated, they remain known as Marvel’s First Family. Similarly, Planet of the Apes became a hugely influential film, pioneering new directions for sci-fi movies and establishing one of the earliest major franchises. Now, these two iconic properties are teaming up! Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #1 launches a promising crossover with a strong opening issue. While not flawless, it’s precisely the type of fun, engaging crossover that makes these stories so enjoyable.

The Fantastic Four has been consistently strong in recent years, so this new story had a lot to live up to. Fortunately, writer Josh Trujillo was a great choice. He’s familiar with the team and understands their dynamics – which is crucial, as the Fantastic Four are essentially a family. The story jumps right into the action, initially showing the team on trial with a group of apes, then explaining how they got there. Johnny Storm takes the lead in defending them, and the team’s reactions feel authentic and set the stage for what’s to come.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Trujillo nails the characters of both franchises and gives readers the kind of story these two properties should have The cover telegraphs the ending of the issue, and that takes away from its impact
Di Vito’s art does a lot of heavy lifting; detailed, fluid, great looking panels that tell the story adroitly You can basically tell every direction this story will go right away

Planet of the Apes vs Fantastic Four #1 Makes 1 Major Mistake

This comic perfectly captures the spirit of both the Fantastic Four and Planet of the Apes, featuring beloved characters like Zaius, Cornelius, Ursus, and Zira, all staying true to their established personalities. The writer isn’t trying to drastically change anything – and that’s a good thing! Unlike many crossovers that attempt to reinvent the source material, this one delivers exactly what fans want, making it a really enjoyable read.

The issue finishes with some exciting twists that promise to make the story more enjoyable moving forward. While the ending is hinted at by the cover – a choice I question – it fits well within the scope of a Fantastic Four narrative. The biggest weakness is that the overall plot feels a bit predictable, as the story’s direction is somewhat limited.

Andrea Di Vito’s Art Brings the Goods

Look, Andrea Di Vito has been a consistently fantastic artist for years, and it feels like he doesn’t get nearly the recognition he deserves. His work on titles like Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill and Wolverine: Patch really showcases his talent, so I was thrilled to see him on this book. Honestly, I wish they’d let him handle the cover too – I got a bit of a jolt from the Greg Land art – because Di Vito’s clean, straightforward linework just makes every character pop. This issue is really a showcase for everything he excels at.

The artwork is consistently excellent, with detailed figures, convincing character expressions, and smooth action sequences. The artist skillfully captures the feel of Planet of the Apes without simply copying it. Both the courtroom and flashback scenes are particularly well done, and a late-story twist is visually stunning. He manages to make both the human team and the apes look fantastic, which is a challenge in crossover comics where one side can often suffer in the art. Di Vito successfully avoids that pitfall, delivering consistently strong visuals on every page.

The comic Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four is a fantastic concept, and the final product delivers exactly what fans would hope for. It’s a fun, classic sci-fi superhero story that perfectly suits both franchises. While it doesn’t reinvent either series, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable crossover. The first issue does everything it needs to, and even though the plot is fairly predictable, the creative team of Trujillo and Di Vito promise a fun and engaging experience.

Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #1 is on sale now.

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2026-02-04 17:15