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Cryptozoo Crew Volume 2

By Hervé St-Louis
June 17, 2006 - 10:02

Tork Darwyn is probably the world’s most renown cryptozoologist. Crytozoologists look for folk and mythical creatures and try to debunk urban legends. In this volume, we get some insight into what motivated Darwyn to become a cryptozoologist. As a youth, he met the mythical Thunderbird creature from Native American lore. The thunderbird spared Darwyn’s life but is now back to take his due. Can Darwyn, with the help of Tara, his wife escape from his destiny, or will his both lose their lives?

This volume was more fun than the previous one. Gone are the men from Mars and women from Venus theatrics and the characters can focus on the story instead. Unlike the previous volume, there is only one storyline. I think that it was a good decision as it help develop the Tork Darwyn more. However, perhaps that Tara has lost some of her individuality by having her husband take center stage in this story. I like how easy it is to read Cryptozoo Crew. It feels like reading a comic strip or a Archie comics without the slow pacing that is so common in North American comics these days.

Of course having a simple artwork helps make the book easy to pick up. The characters each have their own define faces and a lot of subtle jokes are inserted in their design. They really are caricatures of their personalities. While we follow their banter and dialogues, a second story takes place. For example, when Tork and Tara speak about their upcoming mission to Alaska, the wife asks her husband to pick which clothing she should pack with her suitcase. I like this type of storytelling because it takes advantage of all the comic book medium can offer.

This book might appeal more to kids, teens and casual readers if it was packaged in a pocket book format, like many mangas.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12