Warning: contains spoilers for Beware the Planet of the Apes #4!

1968’s Planet of the Apes was a landmark movie, a classic in the genre–but if not for one crucial event, it may have ended up being only five minutes long. Marvel’s Beware the Planet of the Apes is a prequel to the 1968 film, and in issue four, Cornelius makes a fateful decision that has ramifications for both Ape City and the impending arrival of George Taylor.

Beware the Planet of the Apes #4 is written by Marc Guggenheim and drawn by Alvaro Lopez. Cornelius and Zira have been taken prisoner by the brutal Hominidae Empire, who seek to mount an invasion of Ape City. They have joined forces with a group of psychic humans, who create mental illusions to confuse the Hominidae. Cornelius finds the prison of the Gibbons Apes, who the Hominidae use as a slave labor class.

He liberates the Gibbons, and leads them into battle.

The Hominidae Empire is overwhelmed, and Ape City is saved.

Marvel Has Been Expanding the Planet of the Apes Franchise With Exciting New Additions

The Hominidae Empire Is One Such Addition–And They Are Bad News

Based on a novel by French novelist Pierre Boulle and adapted by Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling, Planet of the Apes was a box-office sensation and spawned a multimedia franchise still going strong. The movie tells the story of astronaut George Taylor, who travels forward in time. He finds a planet overrun by intelligent apes, and learns it is actually a post-apocalyptic Earth. Set right before Taylor lands, Beware the Planet of the Apes has been a rollicking expansion of the franchise’s mythos. New factions have been introduced, including the Hominidae Empire.

As seen throughout Beware the Planet of the Apes, the Hominidae Empire is violent and war-like. They capture and enslave other apes, and their power is so great they are able to force the Gibbons Apes, some of the fastest on Earth, into servitude. They have demonstrated no issues with murder and torture as well, and they are indiscriminate: they will kill an ape or humans with no hesitation. If the Hominidae had been successful in conquering Ape City, then they would have killed George Taylor almost instantly. Planet of the Apes could have been a much shorter movie.

Planet of the Apes Will Never Know the Threat of the Hominidae Empire

Cornelius Saved George Taylor’s Life More Than Once

However, thanks to Cornelius, George Taylor will never know the threat of the Hominidae Empire. Cornelius’ liberation of the Hominidae’s slaves tipped the course of the battle, leading to the Hominidae’s defeat. The Hominidae call off their invasion of Ape City. George Taylor will also never know that Cornelius saved his life even before he arrived at the Planet of the Apes. Furthermore, Cornelius’ memories of the events with the Hominidae are wiped out, meaning he and his Ape City friends will never know he saved the planet.

Beware the Planet of the Apes #4 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!