Monster Zoo (Paperback)

~ Doug Tennapel (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Earthworm Jim and Cat Scratch creator, Douglas Tennapel, brings his next graphic novel following Iron West and Flink - Monster Zoo! Monster Zoo tells the story of a young boy who discovers his local zoo may be more frightening than he imagined!

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Image Comics; illustrated edition edition (May 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582409110
• ISBN-13: 978-1582409115
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #121,016 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That's kablamo., December 19, 2008

By	Gypsy Jones "That one guy" (USA) - See all my reviews

A little bit darker then what I would expect from TenNaple but still awesome all the same. His style of drawing is the kind that can keep you entertained even if your not reading the book, and when you do it just makes it all THAT much better.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fun and crazy romp with heart and "spirit"--TenNapel Territory, December 3, 2008

By	Mir (North Miami Beach, FL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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Being a fan of the T-Man, I naturally got around to MONSTER ZOO. This offering is introduced--glowingly--by Todd McFarlane (a name familiar, doubtlessly, to comics lovers).

As usual, we get nifty art, humor, scary things one needs to fight (ya know, good versus evil), humor, characters you can root for, a bit of romance, and humor. :D

In MONSTER ZOO--well, you can guess the setting, right?--we have two best pals, kids you know are tagged as losers in high school--the fat and farty one with the skinny and shy one--who visit the zoo. Also present this day, however, is a new exhibit of this huge monster idol from Africa called "Ungabe," the name the natives called it as they fled in terror once it was unearthed. The zoologists hope it will bring in moolah to get the zoo in the red. (They totally ignore that "flee in terror" part, but we know something's up.)

Also at the zoo as the story is set up we see a girl our hero has a crush on, and her goon-idiot boyfriend (who bullies the hero early on).

Things get much worse than wedgies when animals start transforming into delightfully weird monster versions of themselves (freaky walrus thing, zebras with giant maws on their haunches, razor-toothed monkeys attacking in tandem) as the Ungabe gets its killer act in gear.

It's gonna be an "animal apocalypse" if the foreign and very short "witchy woman" and the kids don't survive and prevail.

I have to say, as a gal with a soft spot for romantic subplots, that I always appreciate when TenNapel does that little, gentle bit of romance magic (like in Creature Tech, Black Cherry, et al). He does it with a very sweet hand given the surroundign wackiness, so it's like a bit of tender calm in the storm. I like that.

There were a couple spots where I had to reach for the tissues cause I was laughing to tears. But then, Doug does that to me. :)

Bring it on D.T. I'm ready for the next wild ride.

Thumbs up!

Mir

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jurassic Park meets The Evil Dead, June 7, 2008

By	Bill Breneisen - See all my reviews

Monster Zoo tells the story of Ty, a skinny high-schooler who's trip to the zoo takes an unexpected turn for the paranormal. Fighting back a zoo-load of monster-fied animals, Ty's courage, and bravery shine through his akward teenager exterior.

Okay, why did I like this book so much? First of all, it has believable-yet-unique characters. TenNapel gives depth to these characters through good dialogue, subtle and overt story moments, and solid artwork. The story telling is TIGHT! The story moves along at a good pace without feeling rushed or overworked. It's compelling and cinematic - a movie on paper. Lastly, TenNapel's artwork is outstanding. I love the imaginative designs of the monster-animals, and the clarity with which he lays out panels and pages. TenNapel's visual language crossbreeds Bill Watterson's loose, gestural brushwork with Mike Mignola's tight sense of composition.

In conclusion, I loved Monster Zoo. It's Jurassic Park meets Evil Dead. A blast to read!