The Creeper mini series 2006

I heard this was a good series and decided to get it.

Older SPOILERS AHEAD

I enjoyed this overall but it has some plots I think could have used some work. The Creeper usually has an origin that feels a little at odds with his appearance with the Creeper identity being a costume that can be fused to his body. He also has some powers thanks to Dr. Yatz and can switch back into Jack Ryder. This series changes some things around, some work while others don't.

Jack Ryder is tv host/reporter for his show You Are Wrong. As the title suggests Ryder isn't so nice with guests on his show. Which either makes people dislike him or find him amusing. Since he talked up Dr. Yatz and his work on his show for awhile he goes to the lab early ahead of the rush to see how the process went for a burn victim. Unfortunately some men in the mob are there threatening Yatz and wanting results for the funding they gave him.

Ryder intervenes showing some heroic qualities even inquiring about the teen burn victim who doesn't look so good. In this version Ryder isn't dressed for a costume party or wounded. Yatz simply injects Ryder with his serum without his permission to presumably keep it out of others hands. Ryder is shot in the head and thrown over a cliff then transforms into the Creeper. The set up definitely has a great atmosphere with him laughing while he takes out the bad guys. If the series had kept on this path it would have been structured better.

I feel like this series was originally going to be longer with all the different plots it has. It seems like a lot of storylines were cut short or left hanging. What could have been a straight forward plot about the mob going after the doctor while Ryder gets used to the superhero life takes a turn. Gavin, the teen that was previously burned before he was "cured" by Yatz has become a monster. His intelligence is reduced greatly and for some reason he hungers for human skin which he graphically eats. That was something I wasn't expecting for sure and made the reveal a real mood changer.

The Gavin plot is just kind of there to provide an example of a failure of the formula and decide who wins in the plot. Creeper gets knocked out a lot, only winning against Gavin one time. Once Creeper realizes there's no saving Gavin that's the end of his story. It really feels like it could have easily been edited out without affecting the arc. In fact I'm not sure why he was involved for another reason: Yatz. In this version Yatz is a bad guy and by letting the media know about Gavin he's putting far too much attention on himself. Why would he do that when he's using Gavin and has criminal backers?

Yatz also double crosses the mob to apparently fund his own project which is short sighted especially considering the fact it's mentioned that he has other backers. Why did he need them? Most of the mob are turned into hybrid failed Creepers zombies that are powered with batteries in their heads. Which doesn't seem needed except to inform the world's greatest detective of events. The leader actually came across as a compelling character since he wanted to leave his life of violence behind to help his starving people in his country. But that plot and potential sadly ends abruptly. Which is a shame as it could have delved into the duality of Creeper and him.

Speaking of which Jack Ryder and Creeper seem to be separate entities sharing the same body. Maybe a split personality instead of an actual new being that grafted into his DNA? Batman claims the blood has two different DNA mixtures implying that their separate. I feel like the split personality is more engaging and makes more sense especially since Ryder was technically killed before Creeper appeared. But the trauma is pretty much glanced over.

That said I do prefer a Creeper that is Jack Ryder and not split like this. It does work alright in this story it just raises a lot of questions. He's not as comedic as other takes although he does have fun. Much like the Batman the Animated series portrayal (which is actually really great) this Creeper origin is linked to Joker. Their sorta "related" based on the formula being created with Jokers' venom. Not much is done with this, the two meet but don't fight. Joker gets taken out off panel by Batman. What was Yatz and Joker planning to do with the formula? No idea.

The romantic subplot with his ex Vera had potential as she realized they do work together and her career improved some over the series. But Ryder is absent for most of her panel time and there's never a conclusion.

Creeper kills by tossing his doubles into mines and even Batman provides a mercy kill to a technical zombie. I don't know how to feel about the latter as the dead man was fully sentient and Batman pulls out his life support when asked almost nonchalantly. Sure he's dead but no hesitation? Batman doesn't know if Creeper is good or bad yet he leaves the choice of a cure up to Ryder. Much like Joker there felt like there was more to be told.

Yatz himself is taken into custody thanks to Ryder making the public aware of him. Which was a great scene showing how much Ryder actually cares and even admitting he was wrong. I'm not quite sure why Ryder decided not to be cured at the end as he watches a Jokerized Yatz.

Despite my confusion and problems with the series I did find it very entertaining. If you're expecting a repeat of his animated appearances don't. He's not as off the wall and Joker isn't afraid of him here. The former may be a blessing considering how easily that can become annoying. Not a bad read and if he does work with the Outlaws in RHATO it shows that he does fit the bill.





Questions Raised?: If the injection made Jack Ryder transform into the Creeper...where did this version get the red boots, gloves and striped underwear?

Ryder and his girlfriend both cheated on each other? Does he know that?