Earthboy Jacobus Graphic Novel [Paperback]

Doug Tennapel (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 2005

Chief Edwards retires from the Modesto Police Department a lonely man. On his way home, he hits a flying whale with his car, opening the beast's mouth to find a boy from a parallel universe named Jacobus. Chief discovers that a society of insect monsters want to kill this boy due to a mysterious virus that grows on his hand. He becomes a father figure to the boy and trains him how to survive insect monsters by becoming a great American ass-kicker.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Image Comics (June 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582404925
• ISBN-13: 978-1582404929
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #490,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

When I was in 6th grade, I thought I wanted to be an animator. But doing 24 drawings to make a character take two steps across the room was more an act of micro management than an exploration of life. I told stories through movies, video games and television cartoons before finding paradise in the art form of making books.

I'm 6'8" so that makes me stand out of the crowd in a literal sense. My artwork naturally followed suite by coming out a little off center. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to sell out just a little bit more and fit in better with the crowd. If I was happy sticking out I wouldn't spend so much time slouching. But I can no more write different books than I can stop being 6'8".

Once you know that I'm a convinced Christian, married 20 years to the most amazing woman I've ever met and trying to be a good father to four kids that are every bit as miraculously unique as you are, there isn't much more to learn about me. Okay, that and I like newts. Wait, and that I read G.K. Chesterton and smoke a pipe every Sunday afternoon with my friends. Hold on, I also ran two Marathons this year, mostly because I didn't think I could do it. I play loud music from the 70s when I write and listen to lectures while I draw. There's nothing better than ice cream buried in caramel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TenNapel at his best!, October 29, 2005

By 

Roger N. Overton (La Mirada, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Earthboy Jacobus Graphic Novel (Paperback)

What could be good about parallel universes, ectoids, and a thing name Huntikrog? Not much, unless they're all part of a graphic novel by Doug TenNapel. Well known for his unusual characters and creatures, TenNapel doesn't disappoint with Earthboy Jacobus.

On his way home from a retirement party, Chief Edwards hits a terra-whale. Out of the terra-whale comes a boy named Jacobus. This may sound terrible to some people, but to Chief Edwards it was an opportunity to be who he was supposed to be. He fathers (and mothers) Jacobus into his teens, attempting to keep him safe from long hair, smokes and ectoids.

The story that unfolds is born from an incredible imagination creatively rooted in a conservative-Christian worldview. Even if one doesn't agree with the politics or religion, TenNapel's originality in thought and art must be appreciated. If Creature Tech was an argument against naturalism, Earthboy Jacobus is a rant against postmodern socialism, and a hilarious one at that.

Earthboy Jacobus is Doug TenNapel's finest work yet on every level. It is an inspirational story of courage, patriotism, redemption, and charity toward holographic women that will satisfy its reader like ma's home cookin'.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Symbolism and Silhouettes, July 11, 2005

By 

Foxglove Kent "Fox" (the USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Earthboy Jacobus Graphic Novel (Paperback)

I loved Earthboy Jacobus. It's a very touching tale in the end, but before you get there, you get to go through a bunch of totally cool trans-dimensional warps, fly with terra whales, fry a bunch of Ectoids, live in a big old pile of poo, and all sorts of other stuff. It's a great sci-fi romp that has the one thing some recent sci-fi romps are missing: heart.

All the plasma guns and ectoids in the world can't save you if you don't have heart - check out the recent prequel Star Wars movies. What the original three had (though the tech might have been somwhat lacking) was heart. The last three just don't have it - they're so full of special effects, I guess there wasn't room. But Earthboy Jacobus explores the real final frontier - human relationships. The bond between a father and son, the rebellion and seeking of individual identity as he sheds his youth, the joy of fatherhood, and the pain and fear it brings, too, the warmth of that close relationship, the emptiness when it seems gone... TenNapel never hesitates to explore serious emotion in a compelling way.

As poignant as it is, Earthboy is also great fun - it's a wonderful interspatial romp through parallel worlds. Although it has an underlying message, it isn't overly preachy, yet it is unapologetic in the presentation of that message. Bravo!

Earthboy Jacobus definitely is a great American Ass-Kicker! Read it! Buy a copy for a loved one!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bizarrity, Beauty and the Bible, August 23, 2005

By 

Pete (Aussie) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Earthboy Jacobus Graphic Novel (Paperback)

In comic books of the past few decades, there are few writer/artists who consistently deliver such a unique style, disregard for formula, and bizarre originality in their work than Doug TenNapel - and still have something to learn from and mull over. I had to read Earthboy three times to fully appreciate the detail, meaning and excitement that the 136 page epic had to offer.

The bizarre characters, situations and charming humor so importantly flesh out the story and its three time periods. There is something Burton-esque about TenNapel and his exploration of the social outcast characters and weirdoes that populate his worlds. However, TenNapel uses these characters to not dwell on their unhappiness, but rather to point out the social prejudices of the human race - that is to say putting people in boxes to make ourselves feel comfortable, safe and thusly blind.

The abstract art style that TenNapel employs is very similar to that of Creature Tech, and works so well as a black and white image. The human characters are slightly askew in their image beyond reality, usually featuring large eyes and sharp cheek and chins like "the Chief".

There are religious connotations present in Earthboy Jacobus that set TenNapel apart from many writer/artists in the comic book form. However it is handled in a clever way. The text does not Bible bash people into compliance, but for those that are searching for Truth they may just find something that will have a profound affect on their lives. Readers are encouraged to learn from the characters flaws and human characteristics to ultimately better themselves, and this makes Earthboy Jacobus more than just an exciting, action packed romp with deadly glowing sticks and gun battles (not to mention enormous whales that travel through weird dimensions).

I give this text a four star rating. I reserve a star due to some confusion created between reading from one cell to another, and also because I am sure that the greatest TenNapel masterpiece is near and it will be even more deserving of a higher mark than this. Also, I believe that 5 star ratings should only be reserved for texts that make you pass out with enjoyment upon reading it.

Well done Mr. Doug,
- Pete Rowson