Science Fiction Theater Presents: Beneath the Planet of the Apes

First up, a special "thank you" to Sparkling Scott Edelman for the article about last week's presentation of "Farewell to the Master" on Sci Fi Wire. The Diversions blog got a lotta hits thanks to Scott's post, and Ol' Groove is pleased as punch. I hope all my new visitors stick around! (And to all my regulars, you know Ol' Groove loves ya, baby!)

Ready for a trip to the Planet of the Apes? Beneath the Planet of the Apes, the 1970 sequel to 1968's phenomenal Planet of the Apes, is a very different animal from the original flick. Taylor (Charlton Heston) plays only a small, but very important, part in the movie, with leading man honors going to James Franciscus who plays Brent, an astronaut sent from earth to find Taylor and his crew. No more exploring the surface of the planet, 'cause this go-round we're digging deep (well, deep enough to run a subway) to learn all about what really happened to humanity. Can you say, "Mutants worshipping an atomic bomb?" I thought you could.

Time to break out the popcorn, Groove-ophiles! Here's the Gold Key Comics adaptation (with art by the remarkable Alberto Giolitti) from 1970 in all its borderless-paneled glory!