Customer Reviews

Earthboy Jacobus Graphic Novel

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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'.

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!

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

After finishing Earthboy Jacbous I wondered whether I had read the same book as the authors of the overly emphatic reviews listed here. I had enjoyed it, but it was hardly the masterpiece that I was lead to believe it was. After doing some reading on Doug Tennapel's website I found the answer. Caveat Emptor: The majority of Reviews written here are from close friends and frequenters of Tennapels website forum. Two of the first 20 reviewers stood to win prizes. A negative review on here dissapeared last week after Tennapel sent the authour a letter. I've given this book a lower rating to help balance out the the overall score. People should know these things so they are not totally mislead.

That said, Earthboy Jacbous is a good read. It's hardly the second coming of Bill Watterson or CS Lewis as some of the reviewers would lead you to believe. But it is an enjoyable adventure that is propped up by some excellent characters and impressive art. The story at times gets bogged down with too many themes and political messages. But if you are able to ignore that you'll have fun. (Note: Maybe Tennapel can use his blog as an outlet for his politcal rants and produce books that just entertain rather than overtly preach)

Another word of warning - to fully appreciate this book it might help to have a knowledge of Christian teachings. I am not of the christian faith and found a subplot involving the Chief's faith to be unneccessary. The issue of faith up until that point had been present but not obvious. It appears that I am not alone in this feeling. According to Tennapel on his website alot of non-christian critics have this critique. He states that the reason for this is that the Chief's story is a retelling of a certain bible story that non-christians wouldn't get - hence they find the subplot jarring and unneeded. The ending as well alludes to religious ideas.

Tennapel does not hide behind his faith and he is entitled to put it into his works. But when the full appreciation and understanding of the book - especially the ending - requires a knowledge of the Christian religion it alienates a large portion of his audience and classes the work as Christian fiction. Nothing wrong with that - but prospective buyers have a right to know. If Tennapel wishes to teach people about the Christian faith - and he should - then he should incorporate the themes into his work so that they teach non-believers rather than making them feel that they've missed something because they don't know.

Earthboy Jacbous is a fun read. You will enjoy the art and the characters. Just don't expect to be transformed by the story.

I have always been a fan of Doug's and his newest work, Earthboy Jacobus definitely does not dissapoint me. Right off the bat you have the bizarrity and unfamiliarity of the external side of this conflict. highly detailed, mechanical looking bug monsters that dont conquer planet after planet, but rather dimention after dimention of the same world. . . I was hooked right away, but as I was with Doug's previous work, "Creature Tech" I quickly realized that the internal side of the conflict was much more human. . . much more real and even identifiable. When I can personally and spiritually identify with someone who is the only hope in a battle against emotionless bug monsters that sale around on floating ships, thats really something. The adventure and imagery and creativity that Doug has brought to the executions of his stories in the past are enough for me to like this book. But it is enriched with something more. . . Something that even people who arent interested in Sci Fi, kung fu, talking socks or giant robots can still read and find something for themselves.

Im happy to see that works can be produced that contains all the best elements of sci fi and action flicks and STILL try to leave the stamp of something positive on the reader in the end. . .

Doug does more than simply try to express HIMSELF through his art.

John Soares.

Creature Tech is one of my all-time favorite books and now I can add Earthboy Jacobus to that list.

TenNapel's new book would be a favorite for the art alone. Here he is at his peak, tight brush work, sloppy brush texture and straight lines all come together to make images that evoke expression and motion. One of the things that impressed me the most was when characters interacted with each other. TenNapel's characters aren't made of lines, they are made of volume, and when they hit or hug each other it can be felt. I also want to add how great Jacobus' world and characters have been designed. Army Mouth's design is one of the best, and the underlying implications of it's design is chilling when seen up close.

Blambot was a good choice of fonts, it matches TenNapel's style exactly and it quickly blends with the drawn balloons (something else that should impress).

The story is aptly described above, but I might add that this is a generational story, covering well over a decade of time. Considering the emotions, relationships, fights, and lengths of time make me consider this an epic of a graphic novel. Especially since it's three large chapters are woven into one story in 272 pages. If I were to make a complaint it might be for the first half of the third chapter, which is mostly fighting, but this is only at a first glance, and after reading the story through it is clear how well it has been planned.

Cheers!

Doug TenNapel has outdone himself with this monster graphic novel, delivering endearing characters and action packed scenes that will keep you turning pages straight into multiple readings. The pacing is fast and furious, with a genuinely satisfying journey from the first page to the last. I am looking forward to more of this from Doug, and I hope that he is able to make these into movies someday. Well done, friend.

Yes, ladies and gentleman.. my face has been horribly disfigured by the sucking action of this book... WAIT, LET ME FINISH! Hold the business end of a vaccuum cleaner hose up to your cute little mug and turn the dadgum contraption on - only then will you understand what I mean when I say that Earthboy Jacobus hauls you by the lapels into Tennapels graphically rendered world and doesn't let go until its done with you.
The art itself moves so naturally from one panel to the next that I often forget I am reading - so it is possible to say that this graphic novel reads like a feature film :^)
And as per usual Tennapel's characters have an unexpected realness - a very naked quality that makes one able to care about the hero, and even sometimes the villain, despite the dissapointing shortness of the novel itself.
And also as expected, Tennapel treats the females of his storyline with respect and taste. Far from the sassy, feminist bodysuit-babes gracing the cover of every other graphic novel today, Earthboy Jacobus' first female character undergoes a believeable process of maturity. The end result is very romantic.

What are you waiting for? Just make sure you hold the book at arms length when you crack it open for the first time...

I'd previously been into Doug TenNapels earlier work - namely his Earthworm Jim character he made in 1993. There is something about his stuff that impresses me - I don't know how to describe it exactly, but his graphic work has a certain 'oomph' that grabs my attention.

I picked this book up, and after reading for an hour or so straight, I was at the last page. Earthboy Jacobus grabs you by the neck, pulls you in, and drags you along for the ride. Doug's action scenes are exceptional, and he does large panoramic views of things, to great effect - while still handing the sensibilities and emotions of the main characters in a way that makes you care about how their journey ends. If this were not a graphic novel, it would certainly be just as good as an action adventure film. Well worth the read.

From a Superman-like origin to a Pinocchio-like denouement, Earthboy Jacobus synthesizes a dozen archetypal images and characters never before brought together. One moment evokes The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as whimsically as another recalls The Matrix, yet both are seamlessly woven into the plot which centers around a boy from a parallel world who has trouble controlling a Witchblade-like parasite attached to the back of his hand.

My favorite thing about TenNapel's latest work is that none of the characters who seem like conventional stereotypes at the beginning of the story end up conforming precisely to expectations. Even the most admirable characters have surprising vices, and the most seemingly worthy of an ugly demise re-emerge later as if from a chrysalis.

Indeed, amidst all the Spaceman Spiff locales and monsters, the unifying theme of the work is second chances. The last of the book's three chapters -- each taking place during a different period of Jacobus' life -- surpasses the emotional impact of the others with some moments that seem more personal than TenNapel's previous graphic novels.

Likewise, while the brushed ink style is unmistakeably TenNapel, several pages eclipse his artistic feats in both CreatureTech and Tommysaurus Rex. The 265 pages of black and white art fly by with ease, thanks to TenNapel's expressive faces eliminating the need for textual narration to convey the thoughts and emotions of his characters.