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MARVEL APES #1-2

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 2:42 am
by wolframbane
Here is my review for for the first two issues of MARVEL APES. Yes, I purchased MARVEL APES, don't judge me!!!!

MARVEL APES #1
November 2008
"Apes of Wrath"
22 pages

EARTH-616
Characters: The Gibbon (Martin "Marty" Blank), Dr. Fiona Fitzhugh
Guest Stars: The Avengers (Iron Man (Tony Stark), Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), Black Widow (Natasha Romanov))
Villains: Red Ghost (Ivan Kragoff) and his Super-Apes (Mikhlo, Igor and Peotr)
Flashbacks: Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Spider-Man Revenge Squad (Spot (Dr. Jonathan Ohnn), Kangaroo (Brian Hibbs), Grizzly (Maxwell Markham), Gibbon (Martin Blank)), Princess Python (Zelda DuBois) and her (third?) python

MONKEYVERSE
Characters: Ape-Vengers (Spider-Monkey, Speedball (Robbie Baldwin), Ape X (Roy Reyna; not to be confused with Ape-X from SQS 5), Iron Mandrill (Tony Stark), Gro-Rilla (ie Yellowjacket), Juggermonk, Scarlet Witch, Thorangutan, Jarvis, Hawkeye (mentioned only), Wasp (Jan, mentioned only), unnamed simian counterparts to Ms. Marvel, Quicksilver, Sandman and others), Fantastic Four (Mr. Baboon (Reed Richards), Sue Storm, Johnny Storm (both their codenames unrevealed), Ben (surname and codename unrevealed))
Villains: Dr. Ooktopus (Otto Ooktavius, "Doc Ook")

(1-3:2) The Gibbon (Marty Blank) is at a bank when the Red Ghost and his Super-Apes attack. Before he can stop them, the Avengers (Iron Man, Wasp, Ms. Marvel, Black Widow) arrive and defeat them.
(3:3)-FB The Gibbon approaches Spider-Man to become his partner, and Spidey laughs at him. This appears to cover additional dialogue between ASM 110 (17:3) and ASM 110 (17:4).
(3:4)-FB The Spider-Man Revenge Squad (Spot, Kangaroo, Grizzly, Gibbon) fight amongst themselves next to a knocked-out Spidey. This probably occurs sometime during Spectacular Spider-Man #245-246.
(3:5)-FB Gibbon and Princess Python separate. PP is holding the python that Gibbon gave her after her previous python Pythagoras had gotten sick and died in Punisher War Journal #16 (Pythagoras was at least her second Python, as her first one was dropped into a vat of acid by Iron Man many years ago). This occurs sometime between Punisher War Journal #16 and M/APES 1. Gibbon was nearly hairless in Punisher War Journal #16, apparently due to M-Day, but his hair has since grown back moreso by this flashback.
(4:1) Marty is in his apartment looking at his old Gibbon suit in the closet. He holds a DB newspaper with the caption "Ghost Busted By Avengers". Another paper has the ad "Superpowered Individuals Wanted For Indepth Study". Probably the same night as M/APES 1 (1-3:2).
BTS - Marty responds to the ad, and the "next day I'm at State University." One day after M/APES 1 (1-3:2) and (4:1). This is probably State U in Hegeman, NY (Reed Richards and Ben Grimm's alma mater, not Empire State Univ in NYC).
(4:2-6) At State U, Marty is studied by Dr. Fiona Fitzhugh ("the recipient of the Reed Richards Fellowship for Multidisciplinary Excellence") for days, and she notices a "doppler shift" in his Kirlian aura. She analyzes the doppler shift with the Inter-Dimensional Experimental Access (IDEA) facility, and they are accidentally pulled thru a vortex. Occurs at night during a full moon, at approximately 12:10 am (according to clock tower). It is the fourth day of testing ("In four long days and nights... her's is the only face I've seen."), probably four days after M/APES 1 (4:1), five if you consider it is after midnight. It is implied that Marty is not a mutant per se, but may be otherdimensional.
(7-10) Marty and Fiona find themselves in the arboreal "Monkhattan" in the "monkeyverse" or "Marvel Apes Universe." They encounter the intellgient simian inhabitants, and steal some clothes to blend in. Daytime after night in (4:2-6).
(11-16) Wandering through Monkhattan, Marty and Fiona observe a battle between this universe's Spider-Monkey, Speedball and Ape X vs. Dr. Ooktopus. Marty itervenes and helps capture Doc Ook. Spider-Monkey and Ape X take Marty of Ape-Vengers Tower and Speedball Fiona to see their Reed Richards (Mr. Baboon). Ape X makes a reference to Doc Ook's failure to steal the Serpent Crown.
(17-18) At Ape-Vengers Tower, Marty meets Iron Mandrill and Gro-Rilla (ie Yellowjacket). He notices several apparently reformed villains on the team.
(19) Marty is honored to meet the gorilla Captain America. He is offered the chance to become a super hero.
(20) At the FF headquarters (which is the Freedoms Four Plaza building), Speedball introduces Fiona to the Fantastic Four. Mr. Baboon tells her of the failed rocket experiment that gave them their powers, but which also transformed Sue into a human. As he could not cure her condition, he assumed Fiona was also mutated, but she informs him she is from another dimension. Reed calls Sue his "girlfriend" and Cap calls her "Sue Storm" in M/APES 2, implying Reed and Sue are unmarried.
(21-22) "After a few hours" of discussing his code name (Marty prefers "Ninja Monk"), he accompanies Cap and the several other Ape-Vengers (except for Ape X and a handful of others) to the sub-levels of the Tower, where they judge Doc Ook guilty and rip out his tentacles. Marty is horrified as the Ape-Vengers seemingly beat Ook to death.

MARVEL APES #1/2
"The Official History of Apes of the Marvel Apes Universe, Part 1: When Simians Clash"
8 pages
The Monkeyverse Watcher gives a brief history of his universe, focusing on Galactus, the Celestials, the Eternals and Deviants, Two-Gun Chimp and Rawhide Chimp battling the James gang, the Invaders battling Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, and the dawning of "The Marvel Age of Apes."

MARVEL APES #2
November 2008
"See No Evil"
23 pages

EARTH-616
Characters: The Gibbon, Dr. Fiona Fitzhugh
Guest Stars: Captain America (James Barnes), Spider-Man (Peter Parker, both appear on video screen)

MONKEYVERSE
Characters: Ape-Vengers (Captain America, Ape X, Spider-Monkey, Speedball, Thorangutan, Wasp, Iron Mandrill, unnamed counterpart to Ms. Marvel, and others), Fantastic Four (Mr. Baboon (dies), Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, Ben), Wolverine, unnamed counterparts to Dr. Druid, Ghost Rider, Mach 5, Iron Fist, Dagger, Hulk, Power Man, Punisher, Cyclops, Elektra, Nightcrawler, Storm, Iceman, Beast, Colossus, possibly Cannonball, and others
Villains: Invaders (Bucky, Red Raven, Sub-Mariner, Toro), Dr. Ooktopus (dies)

(1) The Monkeyverse Watcher briefly recaps the events of last issue.
(2-4) After the Ape-Vengers nearly beat Doc Ook to death, Captain America dismisses them and Marty from the room. The Invaders (Bucky, Red Raven, Sub-Mariner, Toro) enter the room and they proceed to kill Ook. Same day as M/APES 1 (7-22). Cap mentions the original Torch ("Simian Torch" from M/APES 1/2) was no longer a member. This seems to imply Johnny from the Fantastic Four is also "Simian Torch". Note there was also a Simian Torch from the Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham series.
(5-7) A bothered Marty is reunited with Ape X, Spidey and Speedball, as well as Fiona, who tells him Reed may be able to help them return to Earth-616. Cap meets Fiona and is particularly interestedin the fact they are from another dimension. Reed said it should take "two days" to construct a gateway to send them home.
(8-12) Marty, Speedball (as Robbie Baldwin) and Ape X (as Roy Reyna) are having lunch outside. Ape X explains he gained his powers from an enchanted Mexican wrestling mask. They briefly clash with Wolverine of the X-Apes, who are wanted outcasts, but Wolverine escapes. Marty is informed Reed finished the gateway and there is trouble in Wookanda. Daytime. Marty has been in the monkeyverse for days ("The next days ate the longest years of my life"), probably for "two days" from (5-7).
(13-20) That night at Freedoms Four Plaza, Marty arrives and Fiona informs him the FF are off stopping the Frightful Four from sinking Monkhattan Island. Fiona tries to use Marty's bio-energy signature to open the gateway, but finds she cannot as "your signature is more closely aligned with this dimension than our own." Cap observes and reveals he arranged for the Frightful Four's activities so the FF would be absent. After seeing a video image of the Captain America (Barnes) of Earth-616 and revealing he intention to invade Earth-616, Reed Richards arrives and attacks Cap. Having deduced Cap is a vampire, Reed tries to kill Cap with a wooden stake, but is himself impaled and slain. The Invaders, also all vampires, arrive, but Fiona causes a distraction allowing her and Marty to escape thru a window. As the Invaders unsuccessfully pursue them, Cap tells Bucky they are going to invade Earth-616 for an endless energy supply. As Marty flees with Fiona, he encounters Speedball, who knocks him unconscious. Night immediately after M/APES 2 (8-12). Full moon (if the monkeyverse is synchronistic with the orbital phases of Earth-616, this could be the third night of the full moon, with the first night being from M/APES 1 (4:2-6)).
(21-22:4) Cap and Sue Storm hold a televised press conference. Cap claims Marty and Fiona tricked Reed into creating a portal to allow their world to invade the monkeyverse, and then murdered him. He announces his intention to launch a pre-emptive strike against Earth-616. Probably the following day. Note their nation is refered to as the United Simians of America.
(22:5-23) Marty awakens and finds himself bound. He is confrontated by Speedball, and a large gathering of other heroes. Note the stylized window above indicates they are probably in Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum.

MARVEL APES #2/2
"The Official History of Apes of the Marvel Apes Universe, Part 2: When Simians Clash Again"
8 pages
The Monkeyverse Watcher, now drunk, describes "The Marvel Age of Apes," focusing on the Wasp and the origin of Thorangutan of Apesgard, before he bangs his head and passes out.

This series occurs after ASM3 554 (reference to the DB newspaper, M/APES 1), after the Civil War (due to current lineup of the Avengers, M/APES 1, and reference to Speedball destroying a city, M/APES 2), after CA5 34 (appearance of human Bucky as new Captain America, M/APES 2)

"I am working with CHIMPS!! Thats okay... I like chimps."

Re: MARVEL APES #1-2

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:21 am
by loki
wolframbane wrote: (3:5)-FB Gibbon and Princess Python separate. PP is holding the python that Gibbon gave her after her previous python Pythagoras had gotten sick and died in Punisher War Journal #16 (Pythagoras was at least her second Python, as her first one was dropped into a vat of acid by Iron Man many years ago). This occurs sometime between Punisher War Journal #16 and M/APES 1. Gibbon was nearly hairless in Punisher War Journal #16, apparently due to M-Day, but his hair has since grown back moreso by this flashback.
The hairlessness was due to the Punisher blowing him up at Stilt-Man's funeral, not M-Day (the Punisher poisoning him probably didn't help either).