It’s the oddest project that’s come out of Marvel in a long time (not to mention its creative lineage), but with its first issue, Marvel Apes, written by Karl Kesel with art by Ramon Bachs, showed that the four issue limited series is a bit more than a goofy time of showing apes dressed in superhero costumes.
For those who missed it, the series kicked off with the Gibbon (in the
regular Marvel Universe) being transported to an alternate universe
where simians are the dominant life form, and thus, the heroes and
villains. While things started off as a good time, the Gibbon quickly
learned that this world’s hero scene was a little rougher than what he
knew, as the assembled heroes gathered together to beat the ape version
of Doctor Octopus to death.
Add to that a sinister look or two by Captain America, and
yeah…something’s going on here. We spoke with Kesel about the project
and the imminent second issue.
Newsarama: Karl, the fruits of your labor are finally being realized here as Marvel Apes
is coming out. As readers of #1 have seen, while it is goofy in a
sense, this isn't just a gag-a-minute yukfest. How much worldbuilding
did you have to do for this, both in terms of the Marvel history, as
well as the larger history of the society and culture?
Karl Kesel: The starting point, of course, was the existing
Marvel Universe, except with apes. And monkeys. And even some
prosimians. It was important to both (editor) Steve Wacker and myself
that this world look familiar, yet different. Some things were pretty
obvious— the ape cities would incorporate a lot more greenery, and
citizens would not just get around at ground level, etc. A few other
assumptions gave us a basic shape for their society and culture, but I
can’t say we figured it out in minute detail. This is comics, after
all— a certain amount of flying by the seat of your pants comes with
the territory.
NRAMA: In that sense, break things down for us a little - there
are clearly lines of division among the apes, monkeys and the other
primates. How do the classes break down?
KK: Truth be told, I never really gave class structure much
thought. That being said, I can think of how different social standings
would come about, based on the culture that seems to have
evolved in the monkeyverse. But going into that right now might reveal
a few cards I’d rather keep close to the vest, so...
NRAMA: You spoke to us earlier about the gag aspect of something like this, and how something like this has to be about story, first and foremost. That said, you've got a ton of puns in here. Were there any that were deemed too...painful to use?
KK: No. I have no shame. There is no depth I won’t sink to.
NRAMA: Story-wise, you started light, but went way dark,
quickly. Why that approach overall? Clearly, that's where the industry
is at the moment, but at the same time, this seemed to be a perfect
candidate for a lighter, easier story...
KK: From the very beginning, I felt there had to be something
very real at stake for this to be a story worth telling. In melodrama
(which, let’s face it, superhero comics are) that means life-and-death.
I’m also a big believer in the Joss Whedon rule that jokes are funnier
when juxtaposed with something serious, and something horrible is even
worse when contrasted with something light-hearted. Not that I’m
anywhere near Joss’ league, but that particular approach seemed perfect
for this mini.
NRAMA: We've seen a pretty robust cast from the first issue -
what kind of rhyme and reason did you use when you were bringing Marvel
U characters over to this ape-world?
KK: Basically, if the character became a monkey fairly easily
(Spider-Monkey, Iron Mandrill, Juggermonk, etc.) I put ‘em in. If not,
I conveniently ignored them. (Other than characters like Captain
America and Speedball, who have definite parts to play in the overall
story).
NRAMA: By the end of issue #1, it could be argued that the
Marvel-Ape Universe is a dark, violent place, but yet, how true and
fair were you looking to be to actual apes and monkeys? After years of
anthropomorphizing them, studies have been showing that they're some
pretty violent creatures, with a society that's quite rough, up to and
including cannibalism. So is there something nefarious going on here,
or are we seeing apes being apes, and Cap knows that Gibbon isn't of
this world, and thus, soft?
KK: Besides wanting there to be something at stake in the story, I wanted there to be a real difference
between the Marvel Universe and the Ape Universe. If it’s just monkeys
in super-suits and everything else is exactly the same it’s a cocktail
party joke, not a story. And it was pretty clear that the difference
was that these characters aren’t human. They’re apes, and they
should act like apes-- if apes were intelligent and had super-powers.
That’s really the starting point for their entire society. And while
there’s an inherent goofiness to that, it also leads to some unnerving
places pretty quickly. As Gibbon is finding out.
NRAMA: Ape-X - first off, as the Gibbon has suggested, he's no
obvious analogue to anyone in the regular Marvel Universe. But yet - he
changes from weakling to giant Ape...is he a Hulk analogue?
KK: Nope. He’s his own monkey. There’s a reason there’s no Ape X in the Marvel Universe— and maybe someday I’ll get a chance to tell that story. I love that big ape!
NRAMA: So who will we be seeing coming up? Will we see the Hulk? The X-Men?
KK: Yeah, you’ll see those guys— and a cast of thousands besides! Including one of my faves— Iron Paw! He who can make his paw unto a thing of iron!
NRAMA: Issue #2 hits this week, so tease away - what gets things rolling at the start of the issue?
KK: Issue #2 starts mostly with the Gibbon trying desperately to
not have a nervous breakdown. Luckily, he doesn’t have much time to
worry about that because THINGS GET A LOT WORSE VERY, VERY QUICKLY!
There’s more to these monkeys— some of ‘em, at least -- than meets the
eye. Can’t tell you what, but there’s a clue in the very first words
the ape Captain America says in #1.
