Ploog’s got Frank Chiaramonte inking him this time. The result is all those smooth Ploog lined becoming all of a sudden sharp. Chiaramonte seems to concentrate on making the apes look more like the movie apes, removing the Ploog fluidity.
Moench and Ploog’s original story is, again, really well-paced. The first part of the story is all action, with Alex the chimp and Jason the human on the run from mutants and gorillas. It slows for the second part, introducing the bickering mutant brains who use zombie drones. Moench comes up with some great details.
He also plots Return of the Jedi. It’s so similar I can’t believe no one’s ever mentioned it.
The adaptation continues without a hitch. Moench uses this installment to move emphasis from Zira to Taylor. It’s nicely done. And with Chiaramonte inking the other story, Tuska’s art is no longer as shocking a change.
