Planet of the Apes’ Colonel Jarl Is One of the Franchise’s Coolest Villains Yet

Warning: contains spoilers for Beware the Planet of the Apes #3

There is a new force on the Planet of the Apes, Colonel Jarl–and he may be the franchise’s coolest villain yet. Marvel’s new Beware the Planet of the Apes miniseries has introduced a number of new characters, concepts and places to the lore. One of these new additions is the Hominidae Empire, and in issue three, fans meet its fearsome leader: Colonel Jarl.

Beware the Planet of the Apes #3 is written by Marc Guggenheim and drawn by Alvaro Lopez. In previous issues, Cornelius’ nephew Lucius was taken prisoner by the Hominidae Empire and in this issue he is brought before Colonel Jarl. Jarl tells Lucius he will free him if he gives him some information in exchange.

Later, Zira and Cornelius stage a rescue mission with a newly discovered group of psychic humans, and they are successful in infiltrating the city, but the issue ends with Nova in the clutches of Jarl.

Marvel Has Expanded the Planet of the Apes Franchise

It Is a Big World, and It Is Only Getting Bigger

Marvel obtained the license to create new Planet of the Apes comics shortly after 20th Century Fox was acquired by Disney, the publisher’s parent company. The first series, set in the current film series, bridged the gap between the first and second movies. For the next series, Beware the Planet of the Apes, Guggenheim and Lopez travel back before the 1968 classic that launched the franchise, showing the world in the days before astronaut George Taylor arrived. Cornelius, Zira and Nova, characters from the first series of movies, have all made appearances.

Yet Beware the Planet of the Apes has been more than just fan service, introducing new elements to the mythos, such as Colonel Jarl and the Hominidae Empire. The first Planet of the Apes film series only focused on one part of the world before traveling back in time, leaving a good deal of it unexplored. Beware has thrown open the Planet of the Apes, showing new factions and powers beyond Ape City. The Hominidae Empire, in just a few appearances, has established itself as a force to be reckoned with, and Jarl is at its center.

Colonel Jarl Will Shake Up the Planet of the Apes

The Planet Will Know His Power

Colonel Jarl cuts an impressive and terrifying figure. Jarl (or Old Norse for “chieftain’) wears a fearsome looking helmet which covers the white lighting streak in his hair. Beyond his distinguished but intimidating appearance, Jarl is cold and ruthless. He and his goon squad have tortured Lucius to gain more information about Ape City. Jarl is no doubt planning a raid on Ape City, and Lucius may have given Jarl his way in. If he is successful, Jarl will make a huge impact on the Planet of the Apes.4

Beware the Planet of the Apes #3 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!