BAD ISLAND (full-color graphic novel, 220 pages, Graphix/Scholastic, $24.99)
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? Doug TenNapel (writer/artist).
There are so few givens these days. Especially in the world of comics.
One given, however, is the level of quality of the work of Doug TenNapel. The statuesque California transplant is the creator of the popular cartoon/video game character Earthworm Jim, as well as the writer/artist of nearly a dozen graphic novels varying greatly in style, tone and content.
TenNapel’s latest, full-length work is “Bad Island,” his second graphic novel for Scholastic Books’ Graphix imprint, and his third in full color. (TenNapel re-colored his first comic, the cat-centric “Gear,” when it was re-released by Image Comics in 2007.)
In “Bad Island,” a family of four is shipwrecked on a mysterious land that is fraught with dangers. Plants, animals, rocks … all of them appear to be sentient, and all of them seem to want these castaways dead. Fortunately, our heroes discover some sort of alien artifact that offers them an apparent means of survival. They also appear to have at least one unexpected ally on the island.
THE GOOD.
TenNapel’s thick ink work and exaggerated drawings are lively and cartoonish. His style clearly employs elements seen in classic animated works by Tex Avery, Chuck Jones and others.
But this is not a mere, style-over-substance book. Along with TenNapel, we are fully invested in these characters. There’s hapless, clueless dad, Lyle, his cynical spouse, Karen, their jockish teen son, Reese, and their delusional young daughter, Janie.
The story also has a constant feeling of dread and danger, though there are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments, such as when Janie’s pet snake, Pickles, bites Lyle on the face. (He was planning to give the snake a kiss as a “peace offering.” Maybe you just have to see it to realize just how hilarious this sight gag really is.)
THE BAD.
TenNapel tries to integrate two very divergent story lines here. The transition from the almost Transformers-like opening sequence to the more Swiss Family Robinson-like central story is a little jarring.
And the conclusion is a little abrupt and rushed. Perhaps TenNapel is setting us up for a possible sequel? (It wouldn’t be unwelcome, though there are others of his works that beg for more immediate follow-ups, including both its predecessor, “Ghostopolis,” and “Tommysaurus Rex.”)
THE UGLY.
The initial print run on the $12.99 softcover edition was extremely limited, and it sold out immediately on its release … so like many TenNapel fans who must have his books upon their release, I was forced to buy the $24.99 “library binding” (hardcover) version.
(Much of the blame lies at the feet of comics distributor Diamond Comics, which failed to promote the book’s release, barely informed comics stores as to its existence, and led Graphix/Scholastic to believe that there wasn’t much demand for it.)
This is a minor quibble at best, though.
IN CONCLUSION:
Again, any new work by TenNapel is cause for celebration. Even supposedly “minor” works like “Black Cherry,” “Iron West” and “Power Up” have their share of enjoyable moments. Luckily, “Bad Island” is as good as the aforementioned, winningly spooky horror-fantasy “Ghostopolis” and his recently re-released “Creature Tech.”
By the way, newcomers and longtime fans alike should check out TenNapel’s Website, www.tennapel.com, to check out his musings and updates. He also has a site for a daily strip titled “Ratfist” (www.ratfist.com) and he will be releasing a collection of that silly Batman parody fairly soon as well.
Jerk-Bot is the robotic nom de plume or Utah-based writer/reviewer Jeff Michael Vice. He would like you to listen to him rant about movies and other geeky stuff on both the Geek Show Podcast (www.geekshowpodcast.com) and the Mediocre Show (www.mediocreshow.com), as well as watch him review movies on the Xfinity On-Demand program Big Movie Mouth-Off (www.facebook.com/bigmoviemouthoff).