What if Pokemon were a bit less Pikachu and bit more Poky Little Puppy? Adventure Time cover artist Becky Dreisdadt and her collaborator Frank Gibson are designing a series of collectible critters with a children's book flair.
Dreisdadt, who also collaborates with Gibson on the webcomic Tiny Kitten Teeth, is hand-painting 151 of these "Capture Creatures" — the same number as the original Pokemon. Gibson, meanwhile, writes an encyclopedia entry to go along with each critter. The emphasis, however, seems less on battle-ready superpowers and more on sheer adorableness.
You can see the entire line so far at the Capture Creatures blog, and once Dreisdadt has completed the set, she'll put all the pieces on a gallery tour.
Bon Bon Fire
The most notable feature of the Bon Bon Fire is the flaming bamboo that resides atop its head. This allows it to stay warm in the winter months. Generally congregating in packs, their cheek markings vary from region to region and are used to identify unfamiliar creatures.
Tabbypole
A rarity amongst most feline creatures, the Tabbypole enjoys nothing more than water. Although hatched on land, Tabbypoles quickly take to the ocean in their formative years. Its waterproof furs texture is reminiscent of a duck's feathers, though it hosts many sandy patches on its back from frequent dust baths.
Axipoddle
A curious creature with a cheerful disposition, the Axipoddle is defined by its pea pod tail and the single antenna resembling a lotus pod. Together the two appendages act as a magnetic sixth sense. The fronds that protrude from its cheeks allow the creatures to visually read each others emotions.
Jumpalope
Often sighted by weary travellers, the Jumpalope was once considered to be a mythical creature. This behorned lagamorph thrives in the desert as it can store a week's worth of water in its cactus tail. To provide camouflage, its ears change colour with the leaves of the seasons.
Budu
The diminuitive frame of the Budu is not entirely a drawback. Its small size allows it to hide more easily in forest environments, with its vibrant antlers often being mistaken for flowers. They are born with soft, heavy antlers, which they shed multiple times each year.
Pupsicle
Pupsicle maintains an internal temperature far below freezing point. He releases this cold energy by panting, which often causes snowflakes to form. In addition to his temperature related abilities, he boasts a prehensile tail and ears, which he uses to cover his eyes when he sleeps.
Leaferrier
Leaferriers utilise leaves for both warmth and as a protective armor. The creature can carry hundreds of leaves simultaneously due to its low centre of gravity and tendon strength. Once fully grown, Leaferriers traditionally leave the security of the forest and acclimatize themselves to water.
Skalaxy
Moonstripe evolves into Skalaxy when exposed to a lunar eclipse. Like its predecessor, it is a psychic type, but in its advanced state it can use these abilities accurately predict the orbits of the planets. Due to its reliability as a galactic map, Skalaxy often finds itself as a pet for astronomers.
Cubdensation
Cubdensation is one of the longest polar dwelling creatures. Curiously, it journeys towards more preferable warmer climates during the summer. During this time the creature sheds most of its icy body mass. During this migratory period, creatures unfamiliar with a sleeping Cubdensation can mistake it for a watering hole.
Cubcube
Although it is much more compact than its previous form, the evolution of Cubdensation distills the powerful creature into an indestructible box. Cubcube thrives in the warmer climes sought by its predecessor. In cold weather, Cubcube can revert back to its previous form, pulling freezing moisture out of the air.
Ruffsicle
Ruffsicle, the evolution of Pupsicle, displays a youthful energy somewhat at odds with its large frame. Ruffsicles are social creatures at heart, often befriending humans and other non-canine creatures. This creature is at its happiest when it has a purpose, often holding jobs such as herding and pulling carts.
Cuttler
Cuttler generally congregate in feudal packs. Utilising the shedded antlers of the creature Budu as a sword, they attempt combat with Cuttlers boasting larger swords. Upon defeating a Cuttler, smaller weapons are often eaten to absorb the owners power and larger weapons are taken as their own.