Before Planet of the Apes became the pop culture phenomenon it remains today, it was a screenplay based on a French sci-fi novel -- a screenplay written by The Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling. As often happens in Hollywood, the original draft changed dramatically on the first film's path to the big screen in 1968, leaving fans only to wonder exactly what Serling had planned -- but a new graphic novel from BOOM! Studios looks to finally tell that story.

Planet of the Apes: Visionaries sees actor and comedian Dana Gould adapt Serling's original script of the 20th Century Fox classic, as illustrated by Chad Lewis.

"Fans all over the world have wanted to experience Rod Serling’s original Planet of the Apes and this graphic novel is an incredible realization of that vision,” BOOM! Studios Senior Editor Dafna Pleban said in a statement. “Dana Gould and Chad Lewis have brought a new dimension to the story you only think you know, delivering a timely, ambitious and unflinching original graphic novel perfect for every reader, whether a long time fan or new to these characters.”

The graphic novel is set for release in August, and CBR has an exclusive 18-page preview, which follows below.

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Official Solicitation Text

Experience the Planet of the Apes as it was first envisioned by Rod Serling. Based on the original script by Rod Serling and adapted by comedian and screenwriter Dana Gould (The Simpsons, Stan Against Evil), this graphic novel presents an alternate vision of the classic film.

Taylor is Thomas, and Ape City isn't a crude, primitive grouping of huts, it's a bustling and urbane metropolis filled with cars and skyscrapers and a vibrant ape culture. Apes wear modern clothes and drive modern cars, they have talk shows and nightclubs and alcohol. How does a human fit into this world, and what will his presence mean to how Apes and humans view themselves.