Another selection of graphic novels read in Apr.

Planet of the Apes: Visionaires by Dana Gould, adapted from Rod Serling's scripts, with art by Chad Lewis (2018) 112 pages

I love the original Planet of the Apes movie and Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone. Based on the first couple drafts of Rod Serling's script, this adaptation is fascinating. You can clearly see what stayed the same and what changed through other writers altering the final production script. I really enjoyed the art here. I liked the larger role for Dr. Zira. The ape city, the fact that they drive vehicles, and fly helicopters is closer to Pierre Boulle's description in the novel. Cornelius is introduced much later, his archeological dig is similar, but it would have required a much higher budget for the movie to bring it to life like illustrated here. The action, the twists and turns, all stunning. I appreciated the design notes at the end.

Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf (2020) 280 pages

I went to Kent State for grad school in the early 2000s. Wanted to read this before we reach May 4 this year. It is an event we should never forget. Backderf did a ton of research to present the truth. He explains his sources and sites them all in detail at the end. I've seen some short films about the event and the aftermath on campus and off campus. This is full of background details that bring the days leading up to the event to life in a way none of the filmed interviews do. Bill, Allison, Sandy, and Jeff (the four who would end up dead) are alive on the pages of this graphic novel. The culture and the history of 1970 is vividly explained. "There are, incredibly, five law enforcement agencies working on or around campus in 1970." They are afraid of local radicals and are constantly assuming complete lies warrant using more force. The Ohio National Guard, when called in, are mismanaged, create a lot of tension with students, and are also letting false hearsay ramp up their fear. Then the horrific tragedy of May 4 is tracked with intricate detail. Every fact that is known is presented. It is violent and heartbreaking. In the aftermath it feels as if justice has never been served because of the silence and denials of the National Guard.

X-Men: Days of Future Past by Chris Claremont with art by John Byrne (1981) 184 pages

Many of the stories have little bearing on the two part Days of Future Past. Elegy involves Cyclops reciting memories of past X-Men adventures at Jean Grey's funeral. A clips episode with Cyclops leaving and Kitty Pryde arriving. Nightcrawler's Inferno gives backstory on Nightcrawler, but is really for fans of Dante's Inferno. Doctor Strange helps four of the X-Men as they face the challenges of the different levels of hell. Pretty exciting, but didn't love the religiosity. Something Wicked This Way Comes is about Kitty training and Wolverine and Nightcrawler going to Canada. They meet up with a version of superhero team Alpha Flight and fight Wendigo. This spans two issues. Then Days of Future Past holds a lot of promise as a concept with older Kitty Pryde's mind going back to younger Kitty Pryde's body to try to prevent the political disaster that leads to a dystopian future. I can't believe this only spans two issues. Some excitement with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, but I was let down by the way it ended. Then a Christmas issue with a Demon (that reminds me of the Brood) attacking Kitty alone at the mansion is tacked on. Life and death challenge has some good moments, but has no continuity with previous time travelling adventure.