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Planet of the Apes: Ursus #1-6
Planet of the Apes: Ursus
General Ursus has always hated and feared mankind. Get a glimpse at his rise through the ranks to General and what experiences brought him to the Forbidden Zone.
When a strange talking human appears in Ape City, General Ursus and Doctor Zaius clash as to what they must do next: study the strange creature or destroy him? Why does Ursus so passionately want to hide any glimmer of human intelligence? What secret does Doctor Zaius hold over Ursus? The truth lies in Ursus’ past, when he first encountered Zaius, and the dark incident that set them on their path.
Set in the world of the classic Planet of the Apes films, discover what drives the fiercest enemy of man: General Ursus. Written by the critically acclaimed David Walker (Luke Cage) and illustrated by Christopher Mooneyham (Five Ghosts) and Lalit Kumar Sharma (Witchblade) discover the truth hidden deep in the Forbidden Zone, and in Ursus past!
When a strange talking human appears in Ape City, General Ursus and Doctor Zaius clash as to what they must do next: study the strange creature or destroy him? Why does Ursus so passionately want to hide any glimmer of human intelligence? What secret does Doctor Zaius hold over Ursus? The truth lies in Ursus’ past, when he first encountered Zaius, and the dark incident that set them on their path.
Set in the world of the classic Planet of the Apes films, discover what drives the fiercest enemy of man: General Ursus. Written by the critically acclaimed David Walker (Luke Cage) and illustrated by Christopher Mooneyham (Five Ghosts) and Lalit Kumar Sharma (Witchblade) discover the truth hidden deep in the Forbidden Zone, and in Ursus past!
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 20, 2018
6 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
David F. Walker
293 books280 followersDavid F. Walker is a writer, filmmaker, and award-winning journalist. He teaches Writing For Comics at Portland State University.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 14, 2020
I've been a huge fan of Planet of the Apes since I was a child in the 1970s, when I used to watch the TV series & read the comics. So, what a delight it was (at the age 0f 55) to read what turned out to be my favourite Apes graphic novel ever!
It's a well illustrated book that gives the reader a fascinating background story to General Ursus that the films never had time to provide. This original story seamlessly shows its characters in the original Planet of the Apes film from 1968, while creating a new & exciting story arc for them.
It's a well illustrated book that gives the reader a fascinating background story to General Ursus that the films never had time to provide. This original story seamlessly shows its characters in the original Planet of the Apes film from 1968, while creating a new & exciting story arc for them.
June 7, 2019
Variant/parallel storytelling done right.
April 21, 2024
This was a fun graphic novel that tells the story of General Ursus, the antagonist of Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970). It tells the story of the first two movies thru the perspective of General Ursus. He wasn't in the first movie, but he was around so we get to see fun things that happened elsewhere like the story of how Landon got lobotomized. We get further flashbacks of Ursus as a young family man (gorilla). This graphic novel explains his friendship with Zaius, how he became so intolerant of humans, and how he generally became who he is. I would recommend this to anyone who is even remotely a fan of Beneath the Planet of the Apes - like me.
December 30, 2018
A fascinating character study of General Ursus, Planet of the Apes: Ursus was a great read.
The story covers a lot of ground, covering the events of the first two films (and in doing so explains where Ursus was during the events of the first) as well as flashing back to Ursus' youth and following the events that turned him into the bitter, hardened gorilla he is. Walker really shines here, instead of just playing Ursus up as a human hating monster, he actually makes him a sympathetic figure who experiences a great deal of loss (and some pretty hardcore brainwashing) early in his life. It's those events that lead to Ursus as he's seen in the second movie.
The art is outstanding, Chris Mooneyham handles the art for the first three issues and Lalit Kumar Sharma does the final three. Despite the artist change halfway through, the book maintains a singular visual identity of more traditional cartooning for the present day and water colors for the flashbacks. I wasn't familiar with Sharma's work before reading this, but his style was perfect to pick up where Mooneyham left off. All in all this series was very aesthetically pleasing and easy on the eyes.
I'd say this is a can't miss book for any fans of the franchise.
The story covers a lot of ground, covering the events of the first two films (and in doing so explains where Ursus was during the events of the first) as well as flashing back to Ursus' youth and following the events that turned him into the bitter, hardened gorilla he is. Walker really shines here, instead of just playing Ursus up as a human hating monster, he actually makes him a sympathetic figure who experiences a great deal of loss (and some pretty hardcore brainwashing) early in his life. It's those events that lead to Ursus as he's seen in the second movie.
The art is outstanding, Chris Mooneyham handles the art for the first three issues and Lalit Kumar Sharma does the final three. Despite the artist change halfway through, the book maintains a singular visual identity of more traditional cartooning for the present day and water colors for the flashbacks. I wasn't familiar with Sharma's work before reading this, but his style was perfect to pick up where Mooneyham left off. All in all this series was very aesthetically pleasing and easy on the eyes.
I'd say this is a can't miss book for any fans of the franchise.
July 17, 2024
This series is strange from a continuity standpoint, since it remembers part of Cataclysm series but not all of it. I haven’t yet looked into publication order, but for Cataclysm to end with such a major cliffhanger, I really expected this to… ya know… acknowledge it haha. It’s from the same publisher, so I assume this just came first and the Cataclysm book got cut short. But I’m assuming.
Otherwise, if you’re not concerned as much with lining up with the other Boom! comics, this is fantastic. A nonlinear story about two quests, told in parallel. One is about Ursus and his adopted father, an ape named Kananaios, venturing through the lands to spread the word of the Lawgiver. They’re door-to-door religion peddlers, basically. And at a certain point on this quest, they find themselves always a step behind death and destruction at the hands of angry, ravenous humans. The most notable of these humans is dark skinned, a rarity for Humans apparently. The other, parallel story being told is the quest of Ursus and Dr. Zaius, who are first acquainted during the flashback tale, but their friendship concludes during the events in the present, set against the backdrop of the first two films. It’s a story that basically tells “The Last Day of the Planet of the Apes” as experienced by the tragic military figure who led them to their doom.
Admittedly, I think this story is benefitted by the Boom comics, because it gives more context to the events. You see some of Ursus’s reservations about things across the series, and you see more clearly the seeds being sown to foreshadow the fall of Earth. It is unfortunate in my mind that this doesn’t really make sense with that; perhaps that’s why issue 12 of Cataclysm is wishy washy on whether he is a mutant in disguise or not. I get the sense that an arc was axed.
Nevertheless, even if you choose not to consider the Boom comics as context for this, then this acts as a pretty solid character study, if possibly a little overcooked. For the plot that’s here, this is the proper length, but for the story that plot is telling, I think the plot could’ve been trimmed a bit better. But such is the life of an ongoing comic versus a graphic novel. It’s still a close examination of the dark side of trauma, how even your most hated enemy might have family at home, how they may be a totally different person under a different set of circumstances. Sometimes the sins you see are the echoes of the father, in a manner of speaking.
I also appreciate the art of this book. I can’t help but see it as intentional— There’s a character by the name of Moench who I have to assume is a reference to Doug Moench, who worked on the original Marvel Apes series. The flashback story is drawn in a style that reminds me vaguely of his style as well, and I kinda like that. In particular, I want to praise Pages 50 and 131 of the digital trade volume. Beautiful renderings on a jaw-dropping layout that really pulls you in and nails the point.
Solid story, good art, self-contained, and really nails the tone I would expect from a Planet of the Apes tale. If you’re just reading one mini, this is probably the one I’d recommend.
Otherwise, if you’re not concerned as much with lining up with the other Boom! comics, this is fantastic. A nonlinear story about two quests, told in parallel. One is about Ursus and his adopted father, an ape named Kananaios, venturing through the lands to spread the word of the Lawgiver. They’re door-to-door religion peddlers, basically. And at a certain point on this quest, they find themselves always a step behind death and destruction at the hands of angry, ravenous humans. The most notable of these humans is dark skinned, a rarity for Humans apparently. The other, parallel story being told is the quest of Ursus and Dr. Zaius, who are first acquainted during the flashback tale, but their friendship concludes during the events in the present, set against the backdrop of the first two films. It’s a story that basically tells “The Last Day of the Planet of the Apes” as experienced by the tragic military figure who led them to their doom.
Admittedly, I think this story is benefitted by the Boom comics, because it gives more context to the events. You see some of Ursus’s reservations about things across the series, and you see more clearly the seeds being sown to foreshadow the fall of Earth. It is unfortunate in my mind that this doesn’t really make sense with that; perhaps that’s why issue 12 of Cataclysm is wishy washy on whether he is a mutant in disguise or not. I get the sense that an arc was axed.
Nevertheless, even if you choose not to consider the Boom comics as context for this, then this acts as a pretty solid character study, if possibly a little overcooked. For the plot that’s here, this is the proper length, but for the story that plot is telling, I think the plot could’ve been trimmed a bit better. But such is the life of an ongoing comic versus a graphic novel. It’s still a close examination of the dark side of trauma, how even your most hated enemy might have family at home, how they may be a totally different person under a different set of circumstances. Sometimes the sins you see are the echoes of the father, in a manner of speaking.
I also appreciate the art of this book. I can’t help but see it as intentional— There’s a character by the name of Moench who I have to assume is a reference to Doug Moench, who worked on the original Marvel Apes series. The flashback story is drawn in a style that reminds me vaguely of his style as well, and I kinda like that. In particular, I want to praise Pages 50 and 131 of the digital trade volume. Beautiful renderings on a jaw-dropping layout that really pulls you in and nails the point.
Solid story, good art, self-contained, and really nails the tone I would expect from a Planet of the Apes tale. If you’re just reading one mini, this is probably the one I’d recommend.
September 26, 2023
General Ursus is featured prominently in the original Planet Of The Apes movie as well as the sequel, Beneath The Planet Of The Apes. Identified by his bulbous helmet, he is the leader of the gorilla army and always at odds with the orangutans. This is his story, with the events of the first two films as seen through his lens. The all too familiar proceedings wind up being little more than a backdrop to his motivations as a character.
The biggest problem with the story of General Ursus is the same problem you have when you go into the backstory of any iconic character. Be it Michael Myers, Freddie Kreuger, etc, once you have to fill in some blanks you ultimately have to somehow humanize them in order to make them relatable to the reader. This robs the villain of his or her ability to scare the reader (or viewer). Ursus is the gorilla who famously said “The only good human...is a dead human!” and “The only thing that counts in the end is power! Naked, merciless force!” Do those sound like the words of a gorilla who misses his late wife? This borders on being fan fiction, catering to folks so bored with repeated viewings and readings that we have to insert filler into a character to amuse themselves.
I have loved every single Apes series by BOOM that I have read until now. While I've avoided the crossovers (I have no desire to POTA commingle with, say, Star Trek, Tarzan, etc) the rest have been winners. While this wasn't a bad read it fell below the high benchmark which BOOM has set with these comics over the past eight years. The artwork in this series is the weakest in the line yet. Consider this to be a hiccup in an otherwise successful line of comics.
The biggest problem with the story of General Ursus is the same problem you have when you go into the backstory of any iconic character. Be it Michael Myers, Freddie Kreuger, etc, once you have to fill in some blanks you ultimately have to somehow humanize them in order to make them relatable to the reader. This robs the villain of his or her ability to scare the reader (or viewer). Ursus is the gorilla who famously said “The only good human...is a dead human!” and “The only thing that counts in the end is power! Naked, merciless force!” Do those sound like the words of a gorilla who misses his late wife? This borders on being fan fiction, catering to folks so bored with repeated viewings and readings that we have to insert filler into a character to amuse themselves.
I have loved every single Apes series by BOOM that I have read until now. While I've avoided the crossovers (I have no desire to POTA commingle with, say, Star Trek, Tarzan, etc) the rest have been winners. While this wasn't a bad read it fell below the high benchmark which BOOM has set with these comics over the past eight years. The artwork in this series is the weakest in the line yet. Consider this to be a hiccup in an otherwise successful line of comics.
November 9, 2021
In the 1970’s on Long Island, some of my afternoons would be taken with the 4:30 movie. Once a year, they would do the PLANET OF THE APES marathon. Five days of Apes goodness! I lost my mind every time. There was one time my father woke me up on a Sunday, told me to get dressed and I met him at the car. Just him and me, we went to the bagel shop, got a bag of bagels then went to the PLANETOF THE APES marathon at a theater. ALL FIVE MOVIES!!! I was in ape heaven!
Fast forward forty or so years and I came across a graphic novel that gave insight into one of the more controversial characters in the franchise: General Ursus. To me he was THE bad guy, the one to fear, the one to run from, the one who on occasion haunted my younger nightmares, and I loved him! Sure, he would have looked at me like a filthy animal and probably killed me, but he was one of my favorites. My other favorite was Dr. Zaius. There was something about him that sparked my interest. The reason I mention him is he also plays a role in this graphic novel.
I wish I could find a fault in this book, I really do. But the fact that it hit nostalgia notes over and over and brought me back to my childhood and one of my favorite afternoons with dad makes it a perfect book. The art is stunning and the story is beyond exception. By the end of the book I was actually pulling for General Ursus. I got why he was the way he was.
This is a must read for any classic Planet of the Apes fan.
I give this 5 very enthusiastic bookmarks out of 5.
Fast forward forty or so years and I came across a graphic novel that gave insight into one of the more controversial characters in the franchise: General Ursus. To me he was THE bad guy, the one to fear, the one to run from, the one who on occasion haunted my younger nightmares, and I loved him! Sure, he would have looked at me like a filthy animal and probably killed me, but he was one of my favorites. My other favorite was Dr. Zaius. There was something about him that sparked my interest. The reason I mention him is he also plays a role in this graphic novel.
I wish I could find a fault in this book, I really do. But the fact that it hit nostalgia notes over and over and brought me back to my childhood and one of my favorite afternoons with dad makes it a perfect book. The art is stunning and the story is beyond exception. By the end of the book I was actually pulling for General Ursus. I got why he was the way he was.
This is a must read for any classic Planet of the Apes fan.
I give this 5 very enthusiastic bookmarks out of 5.
March 30, 2020
"Take care not to hide from the pain and fear of the truth by seeking shelter within the comfort of a lie." (Sacred Scrolls, fifth scroll, fourth verse.)
"Death comes to all apes. It does not discriminate between the young and the old. The wise or the ignorant. Death does not care." (Sacred Scrolls, thirty-first scroll, second verse.)
Brilliant story by Walker shows us the origin of hatred in general Ursus. It makes us better understanding of original story of Planet of the Apes, still there are many remaining questions about Dr. Zeius and more. But now I can understand more, even there was "no real" reason to hate people for Ursus (of course, people are killing Apes, but Apes do so). And to me, there was one great aspect in the story and that was showing the depth of racism in Apes society, as well as it is in human society. Great story, excellent drawings.
"Death comes to all apes. It does not discriminate between the young and the old. The wise or the ignorant. Death does not care." (Sacred Scrolls, thirty-first scroll, second verse.)
Brilliant story by Walker shows us the origin of hatred in general Ursus. It makes us better understanding of original story of Planet of the Apes, still there are many remaining questions about Dr. Zeius and more. But now I can understand more, even there was "no real" reason to hate people for Ursus (of course, people are killing Apes, but Apes do so). And to me, there was one great aspect in the story and that was showing the depth of racism in Apes society, as well as it is in human society. Great story, excellent drawings.
April 30, 2023
This was such a cool idea expertly done. Situating the first two films from the perspective of the villain of the 2nd Apes movie. Not only is it a cool expansion of the story, but it gives a fascinating insight onto the characters of Ursus and Dr Zaeus. Showing us the motivation behind these antagonists, and the tragic circumstances that lead a troubled soul down a path of fear,ignorance, and violence. It makes for a really interesting story that fits so well into the current times. The writing and the art are fantastic, and clearly the creators have a real love for the franchise.
May 31, 2022
Collects Planet of the Apes: Ursus issues #1-6
I'm am a huge "Planet of the Apes" fan, so there was a lot that I liked about this story that took place in unseen scenes from the first and second movie. I'd like to see more behind-the-scenes stories, and I'm wondering if anyone has given the similar treatment to the character of Doctor Zaius.
Final rating = 4.5 stars
I'm am a huge "Planet of the Apes" fan, so there was a lot that I liked about this story that took place in unseen scenes from the first and second movie. I'd like to see more behind-the-scenes stories, and I'm wondering if anyone has given the similar treatment to the character of Doctor Zaius.
Final rating = 4.5 stars
April 26, 2019
Awesome! It takes place in the first two movies from Ursus’ point of view. We learn he had a wife who died giving birth. The child died too. This causes him to be the hate filled ape that he is.
Awesome but sad ending.
Awesome but sad ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2019
General Ursus appears as a pretty simple one-dimensional villain in the original Beneath the Planet of the Apes. This comic series fleshes out the character and his backstory, adding some dimension and sympathy to the character. Nicely done and true to the spirit of the original movies.
February 5, 2023
General Ursus remains one of the most enigmatic characters from the Apes franchise characterized by his warmongering and hate of humanity. This novel focuses on events on our favorite planet from the perspective of Ursus. The artwork is astonishing!
July 29, 2024
I can highly recommend to other POTA geeks like myself. This story runs parallel with the actions of the first two original movies, showing you what the general of the gorillas was up to. You also see his backstory to better understand his motivations. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
January 13, 2019
Best Ape series since Hardmann and Bechko... more Kananaios!
March 20, 2019
I remain a huge fan of the POTA original movies so this look into the background and life of Ursus, his rise to power and downfall, was wonderful! Well crafted and, yes, moving.
August 5, 2019
Solid, if somewhat predictable, expansion of POTA lore.
May 31, 2023
Just reread this gem. It’s a very well-written book, with wonderful artwork. Best of all, it takes a seemingly shallow, one-note character from Beneath and makes him complex, interesting, and tragic. Great stuff if you’re an Apes fan!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews