The Makers are cybernetic, scientifically-minded, mutated human survivors, descendants of a long line of genius individuals now driven mad by the radiation that permeates the Earth and its depths. Their specialty is bionics and cybernetic enhancements, which they forcibly impose upon any unfortunate ape that crosses their path.
Marvel Comics Continuity[]
Terror on the Planet of the Apes[]
They were a group of researchers specializing in bionics and cybernetics before the nuclear holocaust. Once the world burned to a cinder, they established a base of operations within a library in the Forbidden Zone, operating beneath the ruins of its foundation.
After a long campaign involving their cybernetic Gorilloids, the Makers were finally defeated by a temporary alliance of the Inheritors and the ape and human surface-dwellers.
Novels[]
Death of the Planet of the Apes[]
The Makers were scientists much like those who created the Inheritors, and both factions waged a war that ultimately led to the extinction of the mad scientists. However, the Inheritors' victory was short-lived, as the Fellowship of the Holy Fallout, then under the leadership of Mendez XIV, sought to exploit them. The Fellowship enslaved the Inheritors, forcing them to conduct experiments and construct artifacts within the very labs of their former enemies.
Games[]
Planet of the Apes Roleplaying Game[]
WHO ARE THE MAKERS?[]
Simply called “the Scientists” before the fall of humanity, the Makers are a scientocratic cabal of biologists, physicists, and medical doctors who rejected war. They were determined to combat humankind’s folly until the bitter end. For example, to keep infrastructure up and running in case of an electromagnetic pulse caused by a world-wide nuclear war, they designed biological computers that would keep working regardless.
The Makers were eventually forced underground in the ape revolt. Over the centuries, many were driven mad by radiation. But with madness came genius—the mutation of their minds significantly increased their descendants’ intelligence. While some factions of Makers are quite mad, others can be civil— just as long as you stay out of their way.
Most physical abnormalities caused by mutation that they may suffer are done away with via cybernetic replacement. The Makers abduct Gorilla scouts that stray too close to their territory, altering them into Gorilloids. They send them back out to explore the outside world and transmit their findings back to the Makers.
THE MAKERS AND NEW MANHATTAN[]
After the old-world city of New York was destroyed by human folly, the devastated urban center was buried to prevent radioactive contamination. A new metropolis was built some hundreds of kilometers away and named New Manhattan. This technological splendor survived into the 25th Century. High-powered monorails in transparent transit tubes replaced subways. Sleek, sloped skyscrapers blotted out the sky, pushing the limit of architectural knowledge. Sometimes called New New York City, it was eventually claimed by both ape rebellion and what would be the final nuclear conflict. Its ruins now lie buried beneath the Stark-lands If any of the Makers and their gorilloid armies still live, it is likely they call New New York City their home. Legends say they waged war there for centuries against an unknown enemy said to be of inmense intellect. This enemy also controls its own drone force—diminutive half-human monstrosities in conical helmets who are said to shoot burning light from their metal hands. Again, these reports are unsubstantiated.
Notes[]
- The Makers first appeared exclusively in the Planet of the Apes comic books published by Marvel Comics.
- The Makers were referenced in the back-story to the 2018 novel Death of the Planet of the Apes.
Appearances[]
- Planet of the Apes Magazine: Terror on the Planet of the Apes (issues #27 and #28)
- Death of the Planet of the Apes (mentioned)
- Planet of the Apes Roleplaying Game
Gallery[]
