Creature Tech

"The locals have perpetuated rumors about R.T.I., from werewolf vaccines to our manufacturing a race of super-humans. Thus, they have nicknamed us Creature Tech. I'm not saying that these rumors are entirely false. Three years back a local was attacked and killed by a were-pig. We feared a were-pig outbreak, so we created an antivirus just in case."

Creature Tech is a modern fantasy/science fiction graphic novel by Doug TenNapel, best known as the creator of Earthworm Jim. Creature Tech was originally created as a proposal for an animated movie, but no studios were interested in it. After being published in 2002 by Top Shelf Productions, it was bought by Regency Enterprises(owned by Fox Entertainment) "in a deal valued at high six figures against low seven figures"(Variety). The screenplay will be written by Doug TenNapel. The graphic novel retails for 14.95. USD.

In 1854 at Moccasin Creek, California, a mad sorceror/scientist, Dr. Jameson, was creating a fiendish plan. With the help of the demon Hellcat that he had swapped hands with, he attempted to lure a Giant Space Eel into his command. Unfortunatly, the devices were overpowered and the Giant Space Eel crashed into Jameson and Hellcat's cabin killing them both. However, Jameson's deal with Hellcat granted him the ability to delay his judgement and he was able to roam the Earth as a ghost until the right time came...

"There's a giant mantis sitting on my toilet. You must be Blue, my new security officer. I am Dr. Ong, your boss. Rule number one. You show up on time, ready to work. You get Sundays off, but leave your beeper on, just in case."
"Chirp?"
"Well, we'll supply you with one. Rule number two. Don't use my toilet."
-Dr. Ong and Blue

Doctor Michael Ong attempted to follow his father's footsteps into seminary, but found himself distracted by his interest in science. He pursued science instead and also attempted to escape the chains of his childhood by staying away from his hometown of Turlock, California. At the age of 19, he became a Nobel Peace Prize Winner. Soon the government became very interested in him and enlisted his services against his will as the head of R.T.I., the Research Technical Institute. His job was to go through 763 crates of evidence of the supernatural that the United States had gathered. Once he got through all of the crates, he would be free to go his own way.

Due to the request of his supervisor, Ong opens a crate further down on the line only to find it to house the Shroud of Turin. Which is exactly when the ghost of Jameson strikes, and steals the shroud as well as unleashing a creature from one of the crates. The creature is killed, but contains a symbiote that latches itself onto Dr. Ong. Which just makes Ong's stay in Turlock even less pleasurable as he also has to retrieve the shroud and stop Jameson.

"Things always look farther away when you're held up in the air by a giant slug."

As one can gather from the summary of the story, Creature Tech is a very tongue-in-cheek fantasy/science fiction. The dialogue is so odd and pun-laced that either you'll love it or hate it rather quickly. The story's main theme is one of faith and generally if a story pulls this off wrong it comes off insulting me. Creature Tech did not rub me the wrong way in this case, though it does come across strongly.

Doug TenNapel's art style is similar to that of Mike Mignola and Scott Morse with his thick lines and heavy inking. He has a very nice layout and moves the scenes quickly and smoothly.

Due to both the story and art style, people who enjoy Hellboy or Soulwind will probably enjoy Creature Tech(or vice versa). It's fun, quick-paced, and still has a good amount of drama to it.