Planet of the Apes: Cataclysm #5
Written by Corinna Bechko & Gabriel Hardman
Art by Damien Couceiro
Colors by Darrin Moore
Letters by Ed Dukeshire
Editor: Dafna Pleban
Covers by Gabriel Hardman & Charles Wilson III
Boom! Studios
Release Date: January 2, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Planet of the Apes: Cataclysm #5 is an interesting comic. Interesting, but not awesome. If you’re a Planet of the Apes fan, then you’re really going to like it. If not, it’s pretty much just an average book.

Writers Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman turn in a fine story, but honestly, if you’re not a fan of the Planet of the Apes franchise, it’s really not going to hold your interest. This is the first issue of this comic that I’ve read, and I feel no desire to go back and read the previous issues. Maybe the next time they start a new mini-series, I’ll take a look, but this comic is too far steeped in its continuity for me to really care. Now, I’m not being harsh on the writers, this comic just wasn’t for me. If I remove that from the situation, this is a very solid comic. It’s got some solid writing, it moves the story forward, there’s some shocks and surprises and some good action. So, if you’re all ready a reader of this title, you’re going to really enjoy it.

Damien Couceiro is a really good artist. He’s perfect for this book, and if he’s the artist on the next mini or ongoing that BOOM! puts out, I’ll definitely try it out. He’s got a GREAT eye for conveying mood on the page. Now, colorist Darrin Moore deserves praise as well, together they make a great team and I’d love to see them work on some kind of mystery or noir book together.

Now, I really don’t want you to think that I’m trashing this book. Again, it’s technically a good comic, but it’s just not my cup of tea. And, unless you’re a big fan of Planet of the Apes and have been following the comic, you’d do well to give this one a pass.