The Verger was a mutant who lived beneath the radiated ruins of New York City in the latter half of the 40th century. He was a member of the Fellowship of the Holy Fallout, charged with the sacred responsibility of overseeing the Divine Bomb. As the caretaker of their cathedral, the Verger's duty was to ensure that their God’s will always took precedence over the desires of the Fellowship. He was also tasked with safeguarding the holy power that the bomb possessed, ensuring it was neither misused nor exploited.[1]
Beneath the Planet of the Apes[]
The Verger was a high-ranking religious leader among the mutant community and possessed the ability to project his thoughts directly into the minds of others. Although he was more than capable of physically speaking, his evolved persona preferred communication through telepathy. He was the first mutant encountered by John Brent after he and Nova found their way into the underground city. He was alone in the cathedral worshipping at the altar of the Divine Bomb. He ordered Brent to be taken for interrogation.
Novels[]
Death of the Planet of the Apes[]
Adiposo, acting on orders from Caspay, was instructed to input the coordinates of the Ape City to prepare the bomb for firing. He approached the Verger, who granted the Inquisitor access to the Divine Bomb after confirming that the order came directly from His Holiness himself. The Verger escorted Adiposo to the green copper shelter doors beneath the altar, unlocking them before leading him down the winding spiral staircase.
At the church, Mendez XXVI sensed the deaths of Ongaro and Caspay, realizing that the Fellowship’s way of life was now at risk. Even if they survived the apes' attack, they would need to restructure and preserve any remaining assets. Knowing the Verger’s value, His Holiness made his choice—speaking aloud, he relieved the Verger of his duties just before ordering him to find shelter.
During the gorilla army's invasion of the city, the Verger barricaded the cathedral doors, bolting them shut before escaping through the catacombs. As he moved through the tunnels, he passed a contingent of gorillas sweeping through an adjacent subway station, unnoticed in the shadows. Making his way toward the plaza beyond, the Verger was intercepted by Jaffe, the young son of Marcus, whom Ursus had promised would find revenge for the death of his father.
Both stayed still. The Verger probed the young gorilla's mind, sensing the depths of savagery that could drive apes to bring even a child to war. Jaffe heard a voice in his head warning him to return to his family rather than wage war here. Afraid, Jaffe fired at the Verger. The mutant fell to the ground and revealed his inmost self unto his God before being gunned down, over and over again, by the young gorilla.
Comics[]
Gold Key's Beneath the Planet of the Apes Adaptation[]
After Brent broke free from the mutants' psychic control, he entered the church in an attempt to keep Nova safe. There, he was greeted by the Verger, who was in the midst of a prayer to the Divine Bomb. Just as Brent was about to head outside, the Verger stopped him, informing the stranded astronaut that both he and Nova were being taken as prisoners for interrogation.
Marvel Comics' Beneath the Planet of the Apes Adaptation[]
Once Brent regained control of himself, he entered the church, where the Verger was about to reveal his inmost self to his God. The keeper of the Bomb quickly noticed the astronaut and assured him there was no need to worry about Nova. Brent countered that while the mutants did not inflict physical harm, they could attack one's psyche. The Verger remained still until the guards arrived to take the astronaut to the Inquisitors for interrogation.
Beware the Planet of the Apes[]
One of Ivana’s premonitions showed Brent meeting the Verger and being brought before the mutant Inquisitors. In that vision, she caught a glimpse of Nova before waking up.
Notes[]
- Due to its condensed nature, the Beneath the Planet of the Apes adaptation by Power Records omits Brent’s encounter with the Verger altogether.
- The Verger's appearance in Marvel’s Beware the Planet of the Apes includes panels from his depiction in the Beneath the Planet of the Apes adaptation by Alfredo Alcala, originally published in the Planet of the Apes Magazine. However, in this version, the artwork has been colorized to match the rest of the comic.
Appearances[]
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes (Comic Book)
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes (Novelization)
- Marvel Comics' Planet of the Apes Magazine: Beneath the Planet of the Apes (issue #8)
- Death of the Planet of the Apes
- Beware the Planet of the Apes (issue #2)
Gallery[]
