Gear (graphic novel)
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Gear is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Doug TenNapel, the creator of Earthworm Jim. It was published in six issues by Fireman Press Ltd, a production company and publishing house which also published Scud: The Disposable Assassin. Previously, TenNapel had written an issue of a Scud: the Disposable Assassin spin-off comic entitled Tales from the Vending Machine for Fireman.
Gear featured black and white artwork mostly created with an ink brush by TenNapel. Its covers were photos of 3D sculptures, owing to TenNapel's affinity for stop motion animation.
[edit] Plot
Gear tells the story of a podunk town of squat, hominid-like cats who are bordered on all sides by bigger and more war-like animals. The town's only protection comes from an aged Guardian, a gigantic battle robot in disrepair. The town elder sends four brave cats out to capture an enemy guardian to further defend the town. The cats are named Waffle, Mr. Black, Simon and Gordon. They were named after TenNapel's actual pet cats.
The name "Gear" comes from a mystical artifact existing in the land which promises to greatly increase a Guardian's powers. Many parties search for the Gear, including a secret ninja-like Gear cult. The main plot revolves around the appearance of the gear and the subsequent mysteries it creates. Further themes in the story are the politics of the animal towns, the friendship of the three cats, the afterlife and giant robot combat.
[edit] Adaptations
Gear has been loosely adapted into a Nickelodeon cartoon entitled "Catscratch," though GEAR and other main elements of the graphic novel do not appear in it. The character of Mr. Black was also renamed to Mr. Blik, presumably for political correctness.
[edit] Publication
The six issues of the comic where reprinted as a graphic novel by Fireman Press at the end of the comic's run.
Gear was reprinted by Image Comics in full color on January 2007 (ISBN 1582406804)
