It was the crossover that no expected, but makes perfect sense.
What if the Starship Enterprise landed on a planet run by intelligent apes that had enslaved humanity? At San Diego Comic-Con, comic book publishers IDW and Boom! Studios announced that they were working together to put out "Star Trek/Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive."
"'Planet of the Apes' and 'Star Trek' are groundbreaking science-fiction properties and both deal with many of the same social issues and themes," said Greg Goldstein IDW's President in a statement. "A crossover between the two is a natural and long overdue."
"My dad used to wake me up way past my bedtime to watch 'Star Trek' in syndication--it came on after the nightly news--and I took a 'Planet of the Apes' lunchbox with me to kindergarten every day," said BOOM! Studios CEO Ross Richie in the statement. "Suffice to say, teaming up these two titans of science fiction on the page in a way that they probably will never meet each other on the silver screen is a huge moment for me personally and emotionally."
The comic will find the original U.S.S. Enterprise crew led by Captain Kirk interacting with Taylor, Nova and the cast from the first "Planet of the Apes" film.
"Star Trek" writers Scott and David Tipton will be scripting the series, with art being provided by newcomer Rachael Stott.
"With the Klingons secretly backing a renegade gorilla general in a coup for control of Ape City, Captain Kirk finds himself in the uncomfortable position of having to help out Dr. Zaius' orangutans," said David Tipton in the statement.
The original "Star Trek" television show began airing in 1966 and ran until 1969. The first "Planet of the Apes" film was released in 1968, making the two influential sci-fi franchises contemporaries. Both franchises went on to produce multiple films, television shows and a plethora of merchandise. Both series have also recently be reimagined, with J.J. Abrams's "Star Trek" film from 2009 and Rupert Wyatt's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" released in 2011. Both of these remakes have had sequels released, with third entries in the works for both sci-fi franchises.
"Star Trek" is licensed by IDW from CBS Consumer Products and "Planet of the Apes" is licensed by Boom! Studios from 20th Century Fox. IDW will publish the limited series, though the released date has not been announced.
