Customer Reviews

Creature Tech

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The art in this book gorgeous. The writing is really bizarre, and mostly hilarious. I read this in one sitting while waiting to catch a flight, and it was one of the most enjoyable reads I've ever had. This was definitely the best comic for my dollar in 2002. The complaint I hear most often about it though, is that it has christian themes. Well, yeah, the shroud of turin is a christian artifact, so by virtue of it being in the story, you'll have some christian themes. On top of that, the main character has faith issues to overcome, but so what? You don't have to be a Christian to enjoy a story about a Christian. It's a well done story, and despite my lack of religious faith, I found it quite enjoyable, and laugh out loud funny.

Many people use the term "graphic novel" to describe any book-bound edition of comic-style storytelling, including collections of individual issues from monthly comics. Personally, I prefer to differentiate between these collections and original books, but no matter what definition you use, Doug TenNapel's "Creature Tech" is one of the best graphic novels in years.

The story stars Dr. Michael Ong, a former seminarian who abandoned his faith when he turned to science. Ong is the head of government facility charged with studying and cataloguing supernatural and alien artifacts and technology. What with one thing or another, Ong becomes bonded to a powerful alien symbiote and must use his new abilities to save the world from the ghost of a mad scientist who has a sinister plan involving the Shroud of Turin, a hand that can turn cats into demons, and a giant space eel.

It if sounds silly, that's because the concept really is. TenNapel shows incredible skill, though, in taking elements that could be used to create a weird, slapstick story and injecting it with genuine heart, emotion and action. You feel for Ong, his pastor father, the disfigured girl he used to persecute as a child and even the giant insect assigned to him as a security guard of sorts. Every character in this book has a dash of humor and a healthy dose of humanity that makes this a really great read.

The artwork is clean and effective, and the iconic style doesn't detract from the story at all. If anything, looking at the artwork makes you feel like you're actually reading the storyboards for a really great feature film that just hasn't been animated yet. Hopefully someone will pick up on this and make a movie very soon.

TenNapel also leaves room for a sequel, or even a series, and I for one would welcome it. There's plenty of backstory left to tell and I find myself intensely curious about elements that he alludes to -- even shows in full -- but never really explains. I'll be on the lookout for more work from him in the future.

I wanted to title this review "Why everyone with two brain cells to rub together should read this book!", but I guess that is a little lengthy. It is, however, what I think about CREATURE TECH.
CREATURE TECH is a story that is as fun to read as it is difficult to classify. It has elements of science fiction and horror and action and religion and romance (only a little, guys; don't be afraid!) and comedy.... and on and on. And yet, all of these _very_ different elements come together to tell a very engaging and powerful story.
Doug TenNapel writing and art work together to fashion a graphic novel that is unlike anything that I have ever read (which is, in itself, enough to recommend it). CREATURE TECH is a seriously thought-provoking, funny, and memorable work of literature.
Here's hoping that we see MUCH more from Mr. TenNapel in the future....

This is Ten Napel's greatest work, easily. I found with this graphic novel, I didn't want the story to end. When it did end, however, I was very satisfied. It was a fantastic story and I'm looking forward to Iron West coming out when it does. Keep it up, Doug Ten Napel. =)

This is the book that made me fall in love with Doug's work. I borrowed this book from a friend and after reading it once I was hooked and went directly out and bought it. This story was so original and fun, mixed with emotion, humor and sadness that it felt like it could and should be a movie. It flowed so well and the characters were all fit their parts perfectly. If you have not read any of Dougs work Do so NOW!

This book is amazing! An entirely self-contained story of space eels, demon cats, symbiotic arms, a giant bug, the Shroud of Turin, and a government researcher. Indiana Jones wishes it was this good. Buy this book! Seriously buy 2 copies and give one to a friend who enjoys epic tales of sci-fi awesomeness!!!!!!!!!

A few friends told me about this book while we were at a comic book convention and I decided to give it a chance. I knew that TenNapel created Earthworm Jim, so I figured it would be pretty neat based on that.

I was totally blown away.

The story and the art are amazing and fantastic. The crazy/absurd storyline is one you'll never forget and it will grab onto you and never let go. Highly recommended. The mix of serious storytelling and humor is very enjoyable and the story is very original.

Yes, there are a few Christan themes and references, but it doesn't take away from the story at all, it certainly adds to it and blends in nicely with the rest of the adventure.

You can't really take something with giant space eels too seriously anyway ;)

Light in fun, heavy in coolness, with just the right amount of theology and philosophy, "Creature Tech" sticks to you like fresh velcro. TenNapel's originally absurd ideas composite a fast paced story of mystery, denial, discovery, love, and above all..... a mantid named 'Blue.' The characters, very animated in nature and perhaps unbelievable in design, go straight to the heart to create an unforgettable tale.

See, now this is how I like to be preached to. This GN, written by Doug Tannapel (he created Earthworm Jim) is about faith, flying space eels, a guy who can turn cats into demons, the Shroud of Turin, a kung fu symbiote, a giant preying mantis who finds his own inner redneck, the Great Honey Bun of Christ, the Two Minute Meatman, and a top secret government laboratory that investigate paranormal objects. This feels like it's drawn by Bill Watterson, and it reads like it's written by his creation Calvin. It's simply wonderful.

This is one of the freshest, most original graphic novels to hit the market in recent years - and apparently, it is going into its third printing.

Which is great news for anyone who has had trouble getting their hands on this singularly entertaining and thought-provoking piece of work. The comic moments are laugh-out-loud funny, the pensive quiet moments really make you think. The connections between people and how we relate are deftly handled. The art is expressive and evocative, even though it's highly stylized in alot of places.

As for the exploration of Christian faith, I need to stridently disagree with those who felt that the elements were either (a) unnecessary, or (b) forced. For the particular story that TenNapel wanted to tell, these elements were non-separable. The whole point of the narrative was Ong's return to who he really was, not who he decided he should be as a result of youthful rebellion and stubbornness. And the elements were not at all forced - they were elegantly woven in, carefully made a necessary and impactive part of the story. It is not ludicrous for certain scenes to be present, if they're part of the narrative, which they are. For those who find themselves wary of the description of this story as being overly religious or Christian, it's really not.

Where we belong in the world is a question that isn't the property of a single faith. It's part of our story - even if our stories don't include demonic cats, alien symbiotes, and giant praying mantii. ;)

It's hysterically funny and lighthearted when it needs to be, and tender and pensive as well. Definitely worth a read - or 3.