Gear (graphic novel)

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 TenNaple had written an issue of a Scud: the Disposable Assassin spin-off comic entitled "Tales from the Venting Machine" for Fireman.

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. Three of the cats are named Waffle, Mr. Black and Gordon. They were named after TenNapel's actual pet cats.

The name "Gear" comes from a mystical atrifact 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.

Gear featured stunning black and white artwork mostly created with an ink brush by TenNaple. It's covers where photos of 3D sculptures, owing to TenNapel's affinity for stop motion animation.

The six issues of the comic where reprinted as a graphic novel by Fireman Press at the end of the comics run.

TenNaple is currently in works addapting the comic book into an animated cartoon for Nickelodeon entitled "Cat Scratch."