Let me set the scene…
An email shows up in my box, the title- “Star Trek Meets Planet of the Apes.” Immediately my mind starts going wild. This sounds fantastic, two franchises for which I hold a deep regard, meeting up within the pages of my favorite story telling medium, comics.
Sometimes you hear about a crossover and it sounds horrendous, forced, unnatural- other times you hear about a crossover and it just makes sense; “Phineas and Ferb” and “Star Wars,” “TMNT” and “Ghostbusters,” “Star Trek” and “Planet of the Apes.” It seems so obvious I wonder why I never thought of it myself, both series tackle some of the same material. They use the analogy of different species to talk about problems that human beings face. They force us to look at things in a new way, by reframing the question in a way that makes the lines more clear, makes us understand.
Of course this would happen, and of course it should happen.
The book will see the original Enterprise crew teamed up with the cast from the original “Planet of the Apes.” I’m sure that insanity will ensue, everyone will learn some valuable lessons, and be the better for it. Also there will probably be horse riding, phaser shooting, someone in a red shirt will die, and Kirk will kiss a sentient ape.
Check the official press release below.
Cheers.
San Diego, CA (July 25, 2014) – Have you ever wondered what it would be like to “mind-meld” with a sentient ape? Or wanted to see a Klingon on horseback, brandishing a rifle? Readers will soon have a chance to peek into just such an alternate future, as IDW Publishing partners with BOOM! Studios for the crossover event of the year: Star Trek/Planet of the Apes.
IDW will publish the crossover, which will mark the first time BOOM! Studios has partnered with another publisher on a series. Together they will bring Star Trek, licensed by CBS Consumer Products, and 20th Century Fox’s Planet of the Apes together in a way that is sure to delight existing fans and make new ones. The series will pair the original U.S.S. Enterprise crew with Taylor, Nova and the cast from the original Planet of the Apes film.
“Planet of the Apes and Star Trek are groundbreaking science-fiction properties and both deal with many of the same social issues and themes,” says Greg Goldstein IDW President & Chief Operating Officer. “A crossover between the two is a natural and long overdue.”
“Before I could read comic books as a child, I could watch science fiction on my television. My dad used to wake me up way past my bedtime to watch Star Trek in syndication—it came on after the nightly news—and I took a Planet of the Apes lunchbox with me to kindergarten every day,” says BOOM! Studios Founder and CEO Ross Richie. “Suffice to say, teaming up these two titans of science fiction on the page in a way that they probably will never meet each other on the silver screen is a huge moment for me personally and emotionally.”
The creative team will be a mix of proven experience and new blood with scripts by beloved Star Trekscribes Scott and David Tipton (Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation 2) and interior art and covers by the British newcomer Rachael Stott.
“With the Klingons secretly backing a renegade gorilla general in a coup for control of Ape City, Captain Kirk finds himself in the uncomfortable position of having to help out Dr. Zaius’ orangutans,” explainsDavid Tipton. “Taylor won’t be happy with that!”
“What an epic pairing! I’m so excited to see Taylor, Kirk…and those damned dirty apes…in our upcoming comic,” says IDW editor Sarah Gaydos, “We’re eager to team up these exciting creative forces to bring this to life.”
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