Cryptozoo Crew

(NBM, 2005)
™ and © NBM Publishing

Allan Gross and Jerry Carr’s Cryptozoo Crew is, according to the faux–Comics Code stamp in the corner, “a fun comic book.” Irreverent, boldly drawn, and, yes, funny, the issue lives up to its billing, providing not one, but two, tales of the adventures of Tork Darwyn and his wife, Tara. Cryptozoology, the search for unknown animals (think Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot) is the aptly named Darwyn’s field. He’s brainy and brawny but somewhat clueless and is often extricated from precarious situations by the lovely Tara. That’s what happens in the first story, “Little Swamp of Horrors,” in which our heroes search out a Nessy–like creature. In the supporting story, “The Clan of the Cave Monkeys,” Tork recounts his discovery of the impish title creatures, which pop up elsewhere in the comic book as well as in the series’ Web strips. Tork’s physical approach is nicely counterbalanced by Tara’s more metaphysical outlook, setting the stage for much of the issue’s humor. It’s nothing new or edgy but, as promised, it is fun, as is Carr’s simple yet stylistic art.

— Timothy J. Wood

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