Tommysaurus Rex

Rating:
Summary: A Thinking Man's Story
Review: Doug TenNapel and Flannery O' Connor have a lot in common. Though they use different genres to get their point across, their message is truly one that uses outlandish characters and situations to bring the tiny barbs of truth that eventually set our hearts free. Tommysaurus Rex is not simply a `boy and his dog' story, it is much, much more. As I read this book for the first time, some of the nuances were lost on me, but as I reread, and looked carefully at the words and the artwork, I realized something was happening on a much larger scale than a boy spending the summer with his grandfather and stumbling across a rare find. There was something more cosmic, more apocalyptic, and grander in scheme that was interwoven into this friendship.

The `Easter Eggs'-both figurative and literal-that are scattered throughout the pages reveal statements about love, faith, redemption, and forgiveness one doesn't often find in a `mere comic book'. Ely's journey is summed up so perfectly by his father when he tells him that a boy does a lot of growing up when he loses a dog. For the theologically minded, Tommysaurus Rex brings questions to bear that might not always be easy to answer, but sure are fun to think about.

In short, Tommysaurus Rex is a great story that keeps getting better every time I read it. Well done, Mr. TenNapel. Creature Tech made me an admirer, Tommysaurus Rex has made me a fan.

Rating:
Summary: just another simple mindless comic? Probobly not.
Review: Doug TenNapel has done it again!!! From the man who brought us earthworm Jim, the Neverhood, gear, and creature tech comes a book so unforgettable that you have to be crazy not to buy it. This book has it all witty humor, an enchanting story, hidden Easter eggs, poop jokes! But most importantly: the moral in the end of the book. It will make you sad and happy at the very same time. Who knows, maybe you'll even squeeze out a tear or two.... i did. Anyway, Tommy. Is a story about a kid named Ely who loses his dog in a tragic accident and is sent to his grandpa's farm for the summer. There he meats randy and gets of to a bad start with him instantly. Luckily he also finds a friend at the farm, a big and smelly friend who acts suspiciously like his dead dog Tommy. And so begin the series of events that will make more then one person happy. The thing I liked most about Tommysaurus rex was how the bad guy had reasons to do what he did, he wasn't a mindless zombie of a character he had feelings as well, and in the end he was both the ultimate hero, and the ultimate villain.
Ladies, and gentlemen (drum-roll) Tommysaurus Rex!!!!


Rating:
Summary: A gorgeous story....but way too short
Review: Doug Tennapel is a man of ideas and while the ideas in Tommysaurus Rex aren't as insane as those in Creature Tech, they do have a heart and soul to them that isn't often seen in comics these days. This is easily a book that children will love - what young boy hasn't dreamt of owning his own dinosaur? (hell I still do) and anyone looking for a simple story will not be dissapointed. It is easy to read and non-offensive with some excellent morals.

Yet at the end I was left wanting more. And after going over the comic again I realised what it was I wanted - I wanted Doug Tennapel to slow down. The pacing, art and the length of this book give off the impression that this book was made in a hurry and I felt it deserved more time. The pacing is lightening quick that the book ends much earlier than you want it to. Events come and go, things just happen with no build up and you want more time with these characters.Most importantly, the pacing of the story doesn't lend much time for the reader to get to know the most important relationship in the book - the relationship between Ely and Tommy. Tennapel has an excellent skill in creating warm and interesting characters that you want to know more about.

The themes covered in the book are also very broad and ambitious and Tennapel is to be commened for tackling them. The themes in Tommy are twice as big as Creature Tech, yet the book is about a third of the size, maybe more.
Again better pacing and more pages would have drawn these themes out rather than making them suddenly appear. Sadly I can't go into all them in detail as part of the the joy of the book is discovering them for yourself, but when two characters openly talk about forgiveness, it's kind of obvious that the theme of forgiveness is going to come up later. Tennapel needs to let these themes come out themselves rather than plainly stating them to the reader.

I want to comment on the art as well. Being a massive fan of the art in Earthworm Jim and The Neverhood I was quite dissapointed with the work in Tommy. While there are some great sequences - the front inner cover, Rex with the policeman, the fire rescue and the final panel - the majority of the frames seemed rushed and messy. I love Tennapel's work for it's structure and form (check out Solomon Fix and his sketchbook on tennapel.com for excellent examples of this) but Tommy just felt rushed and sloppy - which was a shame. I know he can do better and I wait for the inevitable day when Tennapel is comfortable with his inking enough to release a lavish and lusciously rendered book.

If you're looking for a nice, simple story that will make you smile - then Tommysaurus Rex is for you.
While I would definately recommend this book for young children and early teens, I'd have to say it falls short of Creature Tech. Tennapel is a man to watch in the comics world and once he improves his storytelling he is going to kick some maor ass.

Rating:
Summary: Pages long but miles deep
Review: For those of you familiar with Doug TenNapel's other works (Earthworm Jim, The Neverhood, Skullmonkeys, GEAR, Creature Tech, and more) already know that you're in for a treat with Tommysaurus Rex.

This is a story that defies the comic book medium in every sense of the word. It's a heartwarming tale about a boy named Ely who after losing his only pal, his dog Tommy, spends the summer at his grandpa's farm. There he finds a T-Rex in a cave and rest is history.

Doug's storytelling mastery is on full display here as he makes seemless use of foreshadowing and symbolism which gives the tale a real "classic" feel. The story is driven heavily by the characters lending to the charm of Tommysaurus Rex and making it easy for everyone to relate to. You'll be completely blown away at how well thought out and executed this story is. It's only a hundred pages long, but it's miles deep. There's absolutely nothing trite or cliched to be found in the 100-some pages, trust me. If you're not into comic books don't worry, neither am I. This isn't just for the hardcore comics fans, it's for everyday folks.

The artwork is beautiful. Fans of Bill Waterson, Mike Mingola, and Craig Thompson will definately be pleased. Each panel is it's own little piece of eye candy free from excess clutter and simplified down to it's most economic and effective state while still retaining its beauty. Doug's sense of visual style and composition are truly unique and unlike anything else out there.

If you're familiar with Doug's work you know how difficult it can be to aquire, and it only gets worse as time passes. Do yourself a real favor and get you're copy soon before it's gone, you can thank me later.

Rating:
Summary: Tommysaurus Rex: A real treasure
Review: Tommysaurus Rex is an inspiring work from the genius who gave us Earthworm Jim, The Neverhood, Gear and Creature Tech. Bringing to mind the poignance and humor of The Iron Giant, Tommysaurus tackles themes both grand and small with elegance, assured pacing and that touch of magic that many aspire to but few attain. For all who refuse to let go of the magic of youth, and for all that seek that magic once again, this is a must read. Great dialogue, wonderful illustration, a book for all ages, and one worth returning to again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Story shines in this coming-of-age tale
Review: With GEAR, artist/author Doug TenNapel populated his story with talking cats, dogs, and mantids. In Creature Tech, an athiest scientist battles an effeminate mad scientist and his legion of demonic cats and space eels. This time around, save the large T-Rex of the novel's title, the story contains only humans. And it is human emotion that TenNapel focuses on his third graphic novel outing.
The story follows Ely, a young boy with youthful energy and a pure heart like we haven't seen since "Leave it to Beaver." He goes to spend the summer on his grandfather's farm after his dog is accidentally run over and from there, his journey begins. He is faced with not just hard farm work, but the taunts of Randy, the bully. After a particularly ruthless prank, Ely stumbles across Tommy, a living, breathing, life-sized Tyrannosaurus Rex who acts a bit like a dog. Ely must then convince the town that his dinosaur is safe.
Fans of Creature Tech's tight drawings and richly developed story may be disappointed upon a first reading. The drawings are looser and less refined than CTech and the story moves along at a break-neck pacing. Upon a second and third reading, the story shines through. This story is less about spectacle and much more about heart.
For those needing a break from superheroes, have finished reading their Bone saga, and are looking for some fine reading and great artwork, then look no further. TenNapel delivers again in his most accessible work to date.