All-ages graphic novel GEAR celebrates a milestone with a new printing

Writer/artist Doug TenNapel (CREATURE TECH, Ghostopolis, Cardboard) and colorist Katherine Garner (Ghostopolis, Nnewts, Tommysaurus Rex) will release a new printing of the full-color graphic novel GEAR this July—just in time for its 20th anniversary.


Four incompetent cats hijack a giant killer robot to change the course of a war between cats, dogs, and insects. But while these three species fight for control of the world, a powerful mechanical being named GEAR arrives to risk his own life to save the lives of good cats.

“GEAR was the first graphic novel I ever made, and it’s why I fell in love with the medium,” said TenNapel. “Now with 17 graphic novels under my belt, I’ve yet to capture the raw energy of GEAR in another title. I was on fire back then, and GEAR is still on fire!”

“GEAR was the first of Doug’s comic books I read, back when it was published in black and white,” said Garner. “I became a fan of his comic books because of it and never expected to be coloring them in.”

This 20th anniversary edition has it all: an action-packed story with robots, harpoon guns, talking cats, mantis kung fu—plus pin-up art by Rob Schrab and Mike Mignola!

GEAR (Diamond code: APR180538, ISBN: 978-1-5343-0917-3) hits comic book shops Wednesday, July 11th and bookstores Tuesday, July 17th. It can be preordered via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Indiebound, and Indigo.

Select praise for GEAR:“Reading GEAR is like seeing Coconino County in George Herriman’s Krazy Kat be invaded by giant robots and bugs at war, written and drawn by Doug TenNapel in an expressive and highly kinetic style. Basically, it is everything my teenage self wanted to read in a comic.” —Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet)

“GEAR is pure energy and imagination on paper. I spent a lot of time reading this book over and over trying to soak up all the inky goodness Doug put in.” —Skottie Young (I HATE FAIRYLAND, Deadpool)

“TenNapel is a master of his craft, and his love of the medium is on full display here. Doug plays with the comic page like a cat with so much yarn. GEAR is sheer delight.” —Rob Guillory (CHEW, FARMHAND)