CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK #1

**MattBrady** · 10-06-2007, 12:37 PM

DC Comics has provided Newsarama with a five page preview of this week’s Captain Carrot and the Final Ark #1 by Bill Morrison and Scott Shaw! The three issue miniseries brings Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew back for one more adventure, and the solicitation for the issue reads:

The Zoo Crew is back in a 3-issue COUNTDOWN tie-in miniseries! Captain Carrot reunites the team to face a threat that begins at the "Sandy Eggo Comic-Con" and quickly menaces the entire world ! The gang's all here: Fastback, Pig-Iron, Yankee Poodle, American Eagle, Alley-Kat-Abra, and the Captain himself, taking on the Salamandroid!

DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US

On Sale October 10, 2007

Shaw has posted a message on various boards around the internet about the miniseries which reads:

This coming Wednesday, October 10, the first issue of DC Comics' three-issue mini-series, CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK -- starring the Zoo Crew, characters that I co-created over twenty-five years ago -- will finally hit the stands. CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK has been written by Bill Morrison, drawn by Scott Shaw!, inked by Al Gordon, colored by Tom Luth, lettered by Ken Lopez and edited by Joey Cavalieri.

Not a "kiddie comic" -- but, like THE SIMPSONS and ROCKY AND HIS FRIENDS, with a "multi-tiered sense of humor" that appeals to younger readers as well -- CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK explores a world of "funny animals" that mirrors (and parodies) those of more traditional comic books. Captain Carrot (secretly cartoonist Rodney R. Rabbit) leads a team of animal superheroes, the Zoo Crew -- which includes Pig-Iron, Alley-Kat-Abra, Rubberduck, Yankee Poodle, Fastback and American Eagle -- as they face the threat of marine terrorists who are at the forefront of a planet-wide war between land-dwelling critters and the inhabitants of "Earth-26's" oceans. Along the way, we make fun of comic book conventions, J. J. Abrams' upcoming giant monster movie, DC's 52 and COUNTDOWN series (for which CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK is actually an official tie-in), death in comics, lawyers, Tex Avery, Sergio Aragonés, Prince, Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, Jack Kirby's NEW GODS and much more. And the series' finale features a HUGE surprise that, once and for all, establishes the Zoo Crew's ties to the "regular" DC universe.

From my decades of experience in animation, I've tried to integrate designs, staging and acting in this comic book that are more commonly associated with cartoons, but with a distinctly "Jack Kirby"-esqe flair. It's also full of gags, both visual and verbal. Frankly, I think that CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK represents some of the best stuff I've ever drawn. And I think that writer Bill Morrison (editor of SIMPSONS COMICS' Bongo Comics), inker Al Gordon (FANTASTIC FOUR and JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA) and colorist Tom Luth (SERGIO ARAGONES' GROO THE WANDERER) are all at the top of their respective careers, too.

I respectfully ask all of you to please support our little funnybook series and pick up copies of CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK for yourselves and your kids. I really think you'll all dig it. Thanks!

Aloha,

Scott!

P.S.: Don't forget: CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK No. 1 hits comic racks in only 5 DAYS! -- SS!"

AbsoluteLove · 10-06-2007, 12:50 PM

Huh. I thought Captain Carrot was some weird in-joke, but I guess it's real.

**MattBrady** · 10-06-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbsoluteLove

Huh. I thought Captain Carrot was some weird in-joke, but I guess it's real.

Yep - 20 issue series in the '80s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain...azing_Zoo_Crew

MattB

KoozyK · 10-06-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbsoluteLove

Huh. I thought Captain Carrot was some weird in-joke, but I guess it's real.

sadly yes, it is.

Kal-LReturns · 10-06-2007, 12:55 PM

Welcome back, Cap. So great to see you again.

Hulksmash100 · 10-06-2007, 01:10 PM

I have to say whether or not I plan on buying Captain Carrot, I'm glad to see it published! I'm currently admiring a few of the Big Two's editors for pushing some of these z-list properties to the forefront to satsify their die-hard sect of enthusiasts... Between Marvel pushing another Howard the Duck mini-series, the Modok's Eleven mini, MAX's Terror Inc., Foolkiller, & now Captain Carrot, it seems like the Big Two have actually given some spotlight to their muuuch lesser-known properties.

It's encouraging that we are at a state in the industry where the publishers can take chances. Hopefully some of these chances will stick & we'll come away the better for it.

Heffaloo · 10-06-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoozyK

sadly yes, it is.

If you are so unfond of the dear Zoo Crew, why even come to the preview thread?

Personally, I can't wait. I can afford almost nothing when it comes to comics these days, but I'll be picking this up. The Crew is hilarious, and Scott Shaw! is outstanding.

RAB · 10-06-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Yep - 20 issue series in the '80s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain...azing_Zoo_Crew

MattB

And I believe I read and owned every issue.

Zam · 10-06-2007, 01:24 PM

Nice! Good luck for Scott Shaw(exclamation) and Bill Morrison.

Uchiha_Prodigy · 10-06-2007, 01:25 PM

Didnt they try to make it all Watchmen-y in a few issues of Titans a while back?

PaxHouse · 10-06-2007, 01:34 PM

The only miniseries where you can get cameos of "Krypto" & "Ace".....

Seriously though....can't wait to see what's happenning with the Zoo Crew....!!

kidvictory · 10-06-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Not a "kiddie comic" -- but, like THE SIMPSONS and ROCKY AND HIS FRIENDS, with a "multi-tiered sense of humor" that appeals to younger readers as well -- CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK explores a world of "funny animals" that mirrors (and parodies) those of more traditional comic books.

I can see some people mistakenly passing this over thinking it's something it is not.

That above quote from the article really does sum it up. Taking a read through the Preview pages had me laughing! It's definitely not what I expected and it's great to see this make it to the shelves!

JohnLynch · 10-06-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaxHouse

The only miniseries where you can get cameos of "Krypto" & "Ace".....

This is so unrealistic with Krypto's characterization laughable. Krypto has been established in Action Comics as an intelligent dog, not some anthropomorphic creature with an opposable thumb! Where were the editors? Asleep at the switch as always. It seems the only time they're only awake is when they're killing off heroes and putting in their substandard minority characters instead.

Captain Carrot and the Final Ark is just another fine example of Didio pushing forward the travesty that is Countdown, its simply amazing they didn't call it Countdown to Turdcity. The only question left now is whether or not DC will wake up and fire Didio before they have Wonder Woman kill Superman and Batman after they both gang rape her. Sadly all indications point to no.

Filby · 10-06-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uchiha_Prodigy

Didnt they try to make it all Watchmen-y in a few issues of Titans a while back?

In a parody-ish sort of way. It wasn't meant to be taken seriously. I think Geoff Johns was using it to poke fun at his own work on Infinite Crisis, which was coming out at the same time.

deri · 10-06-2007, 01:49 PM

That was the Johnny DC Krypto the Superdog, I think. Has/had a cartoon on CN at some point. Ace would sometimes be a guest. He also talked. And Superman wasn't around.

The Infinite Crisis-y stuff seems to actually be in continuity with this. It doesn't contradict anything, does it?

And I almost thought it was the Monitor(Lizard) killing Dodo Dent or something. Who's that supposed to be based on? Looks like some kind of.. Dinosaucer.

OM · 10-06-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbsoluteLove
Huh. I thought Captain Carrot was some weird in-joke, but I guess it's real.

Yep - 20 issue series in the '80s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain...azing_Zoo_Crew

...And let's not forget the Oz-Wonderland War, Matty.

Rob S. · 10-06-2007, 02:27 PM

I'm looking forward to this. I only read one page of the preview, since I know I'm buyin' it already! But that page (the convention panel page) was a hoot!

GreatKrypton · 10-06-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnLynch

This is so unrealistic with Krypto's characterization laughable. Krypto has been established in Action Comics as an intelligent dog, not some anthropomorphic creature with an opposable thumb! Where were the editors? Asleep at the switch as always. It seems the only time they're only awake is when they're killing off heroes and putting in their substandard minority characters instead.

Captain Carrot and the Final Ark is just another fine example of Didio pushing forward the travesty that is Countdown, its simply amazing they didn't call it Countdown to Turdcity. The only question left now is whether or not DC will wake up and fire Didio before they have Wonder Woman kill Superman and Batman after they both gang rape her. Sadly all indications point to no.

Please, please, please tell me this was a joke post...

cynic79 · 10-06-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnLynch

This is so unrealistic with Krypto's characterization laughable. Krypto has been established in Action Comics as an intelligent dog, not some anthropomorphic creature with an opposable thumb! Where were the editors? Asleep at the switch as always. It seems the only time they're only awake is when they're killing off heroes and putting in their substandard minority characters instead.

Captain Carrot and the Final Ark is just another fine example of Didio pushing forward the travesty that is Countdown, its simply amazing they didn't call it Countdown to Turdcity. The only question left now is whether or not DC will wake up and fire Didio before they have Wonder Woman kill Superman and Batman after they both gang rape her. Sadly all indications point to no.

As has been stated, this version of Krypto is based on the cartoon which aired for a period of time on Cartoon Network. Besides, you're really complaining about the characterization of Krypto in an alternate universe filled with other anthropomophized animals?

Bitter much?

shrike · 10-06-2007, 02:34 PM

I have two things to say:

1) Thank god.

and

2) About **** time!

The_Adventurer · 10-06-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatKrypton

Please, please, please tell me this was a joke post...

Quote:

Originally Posted by cynic79

As has been stated, this version of Krypto is based on the cartoon which aired for a period of time on Cartoon Network. Besides, you're really complaining about the characterization of Krypto in an alternate universe filled with other anthropomophized animals?

Bitter much?

I'm amazing that a post dripping with such blatant sarcasm can be confused as serious so easily.

I'm not particularly sure if this book is for me. It seems like it's parody aspect is a little simplistic (the real heroes getting the snub for the fictional heroes bugs me on a few levels). I'm not sure what audience their aiming at here, A)Older Captain Carrot fans B)Younger Audiences or C)Those looking for a good satire of the comic industry. The preview doesn't strike me as doing any of those particularly strongly.