Edited by Rich Handley and Jim Beard

Titan, out now

Tales from across the many Planets of the Apes…

Titan have really stepped up their Planet of the Apes coverage this year; whereas we got a prequel and a novelisation of the last movie, we’re now being spoiled with reprints of the classic novelisations, both of the movies and the TV shows, as well as tie-ins to the next film… and this collection of original Apes tales.

Handley and Beard have brought together a strong group of writers, many of whom are well-versed in the art of penning tie-ins, and the various requirements that licensors can make. Some of these stories can fit in with the chronologies as seen on screen (large or small), but, refreshingly, many of them are of the “what if” variety. It’s great that Fox have allowed this: normally people aren’t allowed to push the envelope until they’ve proved they can work within the normal parameters, and I did expect this just to be a set of missing adventures or alternate perspectives on events we already knew.

It’s imperative to read the brief introductions to each story so you have an idea of which (if any) continuity you’re in – Planet of the Apes rivals Doctor Who in its inability to keep everything straight. (Don’t write in and tell me that either of these actually do make perfect sense please!) The only thing missing is stories within the 21st century continuities, and you have to hope that that will follow in a second anthology.

The standard of all the stories is high, and even if you’re not as well-versed in the Ape mythology as the authors and editors, you’re going to have fun delving beneath the surface of the many worlds created between 1968 and 1975.

Verdict: A highly enjoyable anthology – more please. 9/10

Paul Simpson