Green Lantern – Beneath the Planet of the Apes 2017

This is a modern comic book cover by Robert Sammelin, a mashup of Green Lantern and Planet of the Apes. Look closely at the figures depicted. The Green Lanterns, embodying cosmic order, stand in stark contrast to the apes, symbols of humanity's primal nature. Notice the apes: Dr. Zaius's stern visage echoes the countless depictions of wise, bearded sages from antiquity. But here, the wisdom is twisted, reflecting a world turned upside down. Consider the lantern symbol itself. A beacon of hope and justice, it connects to the ancient motif of light overcoming darkness—a theme found in Zoroastrianism, the Mithraic mysteries, and countless other traditions. Yet, within the context of the Planet of the Apes, this symbol is subverted, casting a shadow on the notion of progress and enlightenment. This cover taps into our collective anxieties about power, knowledge, and the potential for self-destruction. It forces us to confront the cyclical nature of history and the unsettling possibility that what we consider civilization may be nothing more than a thin veneer.