Planet of the Apes vs Fantastic Four Begins in 2026

Marvel’s First Family enters Ape City in a historic crossover

On paper, the excitement is impossible to ignore. Marvel’s First Family is leaving the dangers of the Negative Zone and entering the mysteries of the Forbidden Zone in one of the most ambitious comic book crossovers in recent history. For the first time, Planet of the Apes and the Fantastic Four officially collide in a four-issue Marvel Comics miniseries titled Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four, scheduled to launch in February 2026. While Marvel first published Planet of the Apes comics in the 1970s and reacquired the license in 2022, this marks the franchise’s long-awaited entry into an official crossover with the main Marvel Universe.

This pairing feels surprisingly perfect. Both worlds are built on themes of exploration, science, evolution, and the dangerous consequences of pushing discovery too far. Fans will witness the Fantastic Four’s unforgettable first encounter with Cornelius, Zira, Ursus, and the legendary Dr. Zaius as they journey into Ape City. And they won’t be arriving alone. Familiar villains from the Marvel Universe are also heading for the Planet of the Apes, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle that promises action, tension, and nostalgia in equal measure. While a Gorilla Grodd and Monsieur Mallah crossover may remain a wishful fantasy, this epic meeting more than delivers on fan expectations, sending anticipation through the roof ahead of its release.

“Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!” “It’s clobberin’ time!“

In the official press release, writer Josh Trujillo emphasized how personal and exciting this project is for him. Having grown up watching Planet of the Apes marathons on Saturday afternoons, he described writing this story as a true dream come true. The chance to bring Marvel’s First Family face-to-face with Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Zaius is, in his words, “too much fun,” and he calls the series a mash-up decades in the making. His enthusiasm signals that readers can expect both heartfelt nostalgia and bold, modern storytelling when the miniseries lands in 2026.

Artist Andrea di Vito echoed that excitement, noting that while the crossover might seem unusual at first glance, it quickly becomes clear how naturally these two universes belong together. The Fantastic Four have always been driven by exploration, making a crash landing into the world of the Planet of the Apes a perfect fit. Di Vito also shared that the art and tone of the series are inspired by the timeless spirit of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, honoring the legendary roots of the Fantastic Four while transporting them into a dangerous, ape-ruled world. As the first official meeting between the Marvel Universe and the Planet of the Apes, this miniseries is already shaping up to become one of the most talked-about comic book events of the decade.