Creature Corps # 1
Writer: Curt Pines
Artist/Colorist: JOK
Letterer: Micah Myers
“What’s Going On with Gerald, Part One”
Writer: Timmy Teague
Artist: Stefan Tosheff
Letterer: Micah Myers
Cover Date: December 2026
Rating: 09/10
This new series from Image feels like a more intense, extreme version of “Pokémon”—an intriguing concept for fans who enjoy watching grotesque monsters duke it out. In 1999, time shattered, unleashing monsters known as Calamity Creatures from a desolate future. Humanity quickly turned battling these beasts into Creature Corps, a massive, for-profit combat sport. Former world champion Dusty Rockem (originally solicited as Dusty Gotem) won the title at age 14, then walked away from the league in disillusionment. However, seventeen years later, Dusty is living in hiding when a time quake injures his mother and leaves her with massive medical bills. To save her, he must reunite his old team, re-enter the tournament, and win the championship again.
As a lengthy, giant-sized debut issue, this packs plenty of emotional punch and heart while balancing its Pokémon-style satire with the high-stakes elements. Curt Pines and JOK deliver stellar storytelling, with clever dialogue and dynamic visuals. JOK’s art has a distinctive Andy Khun feel that’s spectacular, especially in its monster action. Dusty’s backstory and his return to the tournament to save his mother give readers more than enough reason to get behind his drive. The opening act and Dusty’s return may seem to move at a snail’s pace, but the approach works as effective world-building and pays off toward the end. Hopefully, that momentum carries into the next few issues. Inventive, bold, and daring are three words that describe “Creature Corps,” As It’s a solid read that draws readers in from the first page. With the Pokémon craze still in full effect, this series will be welcomed with open arms. The backup feature, part one of “What’s Going on with Gerald,” focuses on Gerald, a wealthy “nepo baby” rival to protagonist Dusty Gotem, and explores whether he’ll find redemption or spiral further. It’s a brilliant addition that introduces readers to this world. Creature Corps has never made monsters and dark satire look so amazing.
About Author
