Doug TenNapel
Douglas TenNapel is an American animator, writer, cartoonist, video game designer, and comic book artist whose work has encompassed animated television, video games, and comic books. He is best known for creating the video game series Earthworm Jim, that also spawned an animated series, and the video game The Neverhood. He is also the creator of the animated television series Catscratch (2005–2007), which aired on Nickelodeon, and was itself a loose adaptation of TenNapel's comic book limited series Gear.
Also recorded as Douglas Richard TenNapel
Doug TenNapel

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- Birth Name
- Douglas TenNapel
- Birthplace
- Norwalk, California, U.S.
- Occupation
- Animator, writer, video game designer, comic book artist
- Awards
- Eisner Award winner
- Full name
- Douglas Richard TenNapel.
- Nationality
- United States.
- Education
- Point Loma Nazarene University.
- Languages
- English.
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
Douglas TenNapel is an American animator, writer, cartoonist, video game designer, and comic book artist whose work has encompassed animated television, video games, and comic books. He is best known for creating the video game series Earthworm Jim, that also spawned an animated series, and the video game The Neverhood. He is also the creator of the animated television series Catscratch (2005–2007), which aired on Nickelodeon, and was itself a loose adaptation of TenNapel's comic book limited series Gear.
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Note VALÉORINE
Doug TenNapel (born 1966) is an American actor, animator and comics artist, among other activities. The actor was born Douglas Richard TenNapel in Norwalk. Doug TenNapel studied at Point Loma Nazarene University. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
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Documentary evidence
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wikidata · Q3038050 · wikipedia · Doug TenNapel
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Birth Name — Douglas TenNapel • Birthplace — Norwalk, California, U.S. • Occupation — Animator, writer, video game designer, comic book artist • Notable Works — Earthworm Jim The Neverhood Catscratch Ghostopolis Ratfist Nnewts • Awards — Eisner Award winner • Political Party — Republican • Children — 4
Career
Career
TenNapel began as an animator on Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. He soon began working in the video game industry on projects like 1993's Jurassic Park and The Ren & Stimpy Show: Stimpy's Invention for the Sega Genesis and The Jungle Book for the SNES and Sega Genesis. In 1994, he created Earthworm Jim, the character that would star in Shiny Entertainment's video game, toy line, and cartoon series. Shiny Entertainment head David Perry later commented on working with TenNapel, "I wish I could find 100 Dougs, then I realized I was lucky to have been able to work with one. He is crazy talented, both crazy and talented! He also generates an enormous amount of amazing content and ideas, I wouldn't be surprised if he sleeps with a sketch-book!" In 1995, he left Shiny Entertainment and founded his own company, Neverhood, with several other former Shiny employees. Working for DreamWorks Interactive, Neverhood created The Neverhood for the PC and PlayStation. The sequel, entitled Skullmonkeys, followed in 1998. On television, TenNapel was the creator of the Project G.e.e.K.e.R. cartoon series for CBS. He was also a consulting producer on the ABC series Push, Nevada with Ben Affleck. Towards the end of the 2000s, he also created two shorts for Frederator Studios and Nicktoons, "Solomon Fix" (computer-generated 3D) and "Squirly Town" (traditional 2D). As a graphic artist and cartoonist, TenNapel released his first comic book in 1998: Gear, a surreal epic based on his real-life cats, Simon, Waffle, Gordon and Mr. Black, in a war against dogs and insects using giant robots as weapons. The cats from Gear would eventually become the Nickelodeon series Catscratch. TenNapel did the cover art for several of Five Iron Frenzy's albums, including a sculpture for their live album, Proof That the Youth Are Revolting. TenNapel has also created album covers and artwork for several Daniel Amos CDs, The 1999 tribute to the band, When Worlds Collide, the Neverhood soundtrack Imaginarium: Songs from the Neverhood and others. Flink, a graphic novel by TenNapel, was released in late 2007 through Image Comics. Monster Zoo was released in early summer 2008. In May 2009 his graphic novel Power Up was released. Between January and October 2009, TenNapel was a regular contributor to Breitbart News "Big Hollywood" section, covering topics from movie reviews and the state of the comics entertainment industry to criticisms of the Obama administration and the environmental movement. In July 2010, his graphic novel Ghostopolis was released. In 2009, it was announced the book would be adapted into a film starring and produced by Hugh Jackman for Walt Disney Pictures, but no update has been given since then. TenNapel produced an episodic spoof of Japanese Super Sentai-style shows called Go Sukashi! based on a character by Shoko Nakagawa (who appears in the films), and starring John Soares and Brooke Brodack. He has also published an online superhero-genre-spoofing webcomic titled Ratfist. In September 2012, Fox Animation optioned TenNapel's published Graphix novel Cardboard, with plans for actor Tobey Maguire's Material Pictures, graphic novelist Doug TenNapel, and the Gotham Group to be executive producers. Fox planned to have the picture developed under its WedgeWorks subsidiary. WedgeWorks director Chris Wedge (Ice Age) was producing, and considered directing the film as well. As of 2020, no update has been given on the film, especially given the acquisition of 21st Century Fox assets by The Walt Disney Company. TenNapel has used Kickstarter to produce a bound collection of his sketches, named Sketchbook Archives. TenNapel and other former members of the Earthworm Jim team at Pencil Test Studios launched a Kickstarter campaign in May 2013 to fund a PC game project called Armikrog, described a spiritual successor to The Neverhood and also being animated using clay animation techniques. It was successful, and reached its stretch goal for a Wii U version. In 2018, TenNapel self-published the graphic novel Bigfoot Bill, launched as an Indiegogo, successfully funded and reaching various stretch goals. In May 2019, TenNapel and other members of the original Earthworm Jim team announced a new Earthworm Jim game, to be released as an exclusive for the upcoming Intellivision Amico. He also self-published the graphic novel Earthworm Jim: Launch the Cow, again on Indiegogo.
Personal life
Personal life
TenNapel was born in Norwalk, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. He was raised in Denair, California, in the Central Valley. He has been married to Angie since 1990. The couple have four children. TenNapel was personal friends with Andrew Breitbart prior to the latter's death.
Political views and beliefs
Political views and beliefs
TenNapel is an outspoken Republican and supported Donald Trump's presidency. He regularly posts his political opinions on various social media platforms. Since 2021, he has hosted Doug In Exile, a political talk show. It has been hosted on YouTube and Rumble.
Graphic novels
Graphic novels
• Year — Title — Publisher • 1991 — They Called Him Evil — Mockingbird Studios • 1998 — Scud: Tales from the vending machine #3 — Fireman Press • 1998/2018 — Gear — Fireman Press/Image Comics • 2002/2019 — Creature Tech — Top Shelf Productions/Image Comics • 2004 — Tommysaurus Rex — Image Comics • 2005 — Earthboy Jacobus — Image Comics • 2006 — Iron West — Image Comics • 2007 — Black Cherry — Image Comics • 2007 — Flink — Image Comics • 2008 — Monster Zoo — Image Comics • 2009 — Power Up — Image Comics • 2010 — Ghostopolis — GRAPHIX (an imprint of Scholastic) • 2011 — Bad Island — GRAPHIX • 2012 — Cardboard — GRAPHIX • 2012 — Return to the Neverhood (illustrations) — Stunt Grafx • 2015 — Nnewts – Escape from the Lizzarks — GRAPHIX • 2016 — Nnewts – The Rise of Herk — GRAPHIX • 2017 — Nnewts – The Battle for Amphibopolis — GRAPHIX • 2019 — Bigfoot Bill: Shadow of the Mothman — Self-published • 2019 — Earthworm Jim: Launch the Cow — Self-published • 2020 — Bigfoot Bill 2: Finger of Poseidon — Self-published • 2021 — Earthworm Jim 2: Fight the Fish — Self-published
Web comics
Web comics
• Year — Title • 2011 — Ratfist • 2012 — Nnewts
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Note • 1991 — Attack of the Killer Tomatoes — Animator • 1995–1996 — Earthworm Jim — Creator, executive producer, and writer • 1996 — Project G.e.e.K.e.R. — Co-Creator and executive producer • 2000 — Koghead and Meatus — Short Director and writer • 2002 — Push, Nevada — Consulting producer • 2004 — Sockbaby — Director, writer and voice of Sockbaby • 2005–2007 — Catscratch — Creator, executive producer, director, writer, and storyboard artist • 2007–2008 — Random! Cartoons — Creator, writer, character designer, storyboard artist, and voice director Episodes: "Squirly Town" and "Solomon Fix" • 2009 — Ape Escape — Writer and storyboard artist • 2012 — Adventure Time — Writer Episode: "Sons of Mars" • 2012 — It's a SpongeBob Christmas! — TV special Stop Motion animator • 2014–2016 — VeggieTales in the House — Writer and executive producer • 2017 — VeggieTales in the City — Writer and executive producer • 2017 — The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom — TV special Stop Motion animator
Video games
Video games
• Year — Title — Note — Developer • 1992 — Sküljagger: Revolt of the Westicans — Animator — Realtime Associates • 1993 — Technoclash — Blue Sky Software • Jurassic Park (Sega Genesis) • The Ren & Stimpy Show: Stimpy's Invention • 1994 — The Jungle Book — Virgin Games USA/Eurocom • Earthworm Jim — Creator, writer, designer, voice of Earthworm Jim — Shiny Entertainment • 1995 — Earthworm Jim 2 • 1996 — The Neverhood — Creator, writer, designer, voice of Hoborg, Bil, and Klogg — The Neverhood, Inc. • 1998 — Skullmonkeys — Creator, writer, designer, voice of Klogg • 1999 — BoomBots — Creator, writer, designer • 2015 — Armikrog — Creator, writer, designer, artist, additional animation — Pencil Test Studios
Cover art
Cover art
• Year — Artist — Album • 1994 — Daniel Amos — BibleLand • 1997 — Five Iron Frenzy — Our Newest Album Ever! • 1998 — Five Iron Frenzy — Quantity Is Job 1 • 1999 — Five Iron Frenzy — Proof That the Youth Are Revolting • 2000 — Various Artists — When Worlds Collide: A Tribute to Daniel Amos • 2003 — Five Iron Frenzy — The End Is Near • 2004 — Terry S. Taylor — Imaginarium: Songs from the Neverhood • 2013 — Five Iron Frenzy — Engine of a Million Plots
Identity
Identity
Doug TenNapel is recorded as writer, screenwriter, actor, comics artist and animator.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1966
Doug TenNapel was born in 1966 at Norwalk.
Catalogued output
Catalogued works
Doug TenNapel was recorded at birth as Douglas Richard TenNapel. The authorities additionally record the heading Douglas Richard TenNapel.
Children's books
• Year — Title — Publisher — Notes • 1997 — Doug and Mike's Strange Kid Chronicles #1: Mighty Monday Madness — Scholastic Press — Co-written with Michael Koelsch • 1997 — Doug and Mike's Strange Kid Chronicles #2: Tuna Fish Tuesday — Scholastic Press — Co-written with Michael Koelsch • 1998 — Doug and Mike's Strange Kid Chronicles #3: Wisenheimer Wednesday — Scholastic Press — Co-written with Michael Koelsch • 1998 — Doug and Mike's Strange Kid Chronicles #4: Just Thursday — Scholastic Press — Co-written with Michael Koelsch • 1998 — Doug and Mike's Strange Kid Chronicles #5: Fateful Friday — Scholastic Press — Co-written with Michael Koelsch
Criticism and controversy
TenNapel has attracted criticism for his remarks on the LGBTQ community and its issues, including vocal opposition to same-sex marriage and intentionally misgendering a transgender journalist who criticized the Earthworm Jim video game. He has dismissed this criticism, and has written that "transphobe (like homophobe) is a made-up word used to slander conservative people of faith with a mental condition, and is only used by SJWs". TenNapel was involved with Comicsgate, a right-wing campaign against diversity and progressivism in the superhero comics industry. Sean Gordon Murphy had drawn a cover for one of TenNapel's works, Bigfoot Bill 2, which he withdrew and issued an apology after being made aware of TenNapel's history of anti-LGBTQ comments. In response, TenNapel tweeted that it is "more important than ever that pro-family comic lovers support my work", stating his belief that LGBTQ people are waging a "culture war" against him.
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Doug TenNapel”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q3038050: Doug TenNapel
Reputable secondary · Wikimedia Foundation
authority file
- VIAF cluster 43933340 for Doug TenNapel, aggregating national library name authorities.
General reference · OCLC
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.YouTube PuMtDy5YVK8 "Doug TenNapel - how I draw panels for my comics"
- 2.Bello, John De. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!. 1978-10-08.
- 3.David Perry (Virgin Games) – Interview. Arcade Attack. January 10, 2016.
- 4.Ziff Davis. Gaming Gossip. Electronic Gaming Monthly. 74. 44. September 1995.
- 5.Skullmonkeys. IGN.
- 6.Push, Nevada.
- 7.Random! Cartoons
- 8.Catscratch.
- 9.Doug TenNapel Books, Author Biography, and Reading Level | Scholastic. www.scholastic.com.
- 10.CBR Staff. Power Up - CBR-SA. CBR. 2009-05-28.
- 11.TenNapel, Doug. Fear of Failure. 2018-06-02.
- 12.Ek, Robin. Interview with Doug TenNapel – The Earthworm Jim drama and thoughts on #GamerGate, censorship and SJWs. The Gaming Ground. 2017-08-07.
- 13.Kit, Borys. Hugh Jackman to haunt 'Ghostopolis'. The Hollywood Reporter. May 3, 2009.
- 14.Go Sukashi. Go Sukashi Episode 1. 2009-11-19.
- 15.Ratfist. ratfist.com.
- 16.Anderson, Paul. Fox Animation helping Maguire bend "Cardboard". Big Cartoon News. September 8, 2012.
- 17.Disney Closes $71.3 Billion Fox Deal, Creating Global Content Powerhouse. The Hollywood Reporter. March 19, 2019.
- 18.BOOK NEWS – 'Doug TenNapel Sketchbook Archives' Kickstarter Announced. Alternative Magazine Online. 2012-10-15.
- 19.Matulef, Jeffrey. The Neverhood creators launch Kickstarter for spiritual successor Armikrog. Eurogamer. Gamer Network. May 31, 2013.
- 20.Romano, Nick. Earthworm Jim is making a comeback with new game. Entertainment Weekly. 2019-05-01.
- 21.Crecente, Brian. New 'Earthworm Jim' Game in Development From Original Team. Variety. 2019-05-01.
- 22.Doug TenNapel. November 5, 2015.
- 23.Thompson, Pamela Kleibrink. Welcome to the Neverhood. Animation World Magazine. December 1997.
- 24.Scholastic. Doug TenNapel Books, Author Biography, and Reading Level.
- 25.Osborne, Mary. The Shady Truth About Earthworm Jim Creator Doug TenNapel. Looper. January 4, 2021.
- 26.Doug TenNapel Official site. tennapel.com.
- 27.Evans, Nathan. Popzara Interviews: Ratfist and Earthworm Jim Creator Doug TenNapel. PopZara. 2011-06-11.
- 28.Mackey, Bob. The Worm Turns. The Gameological Society. 2013-06-17.
- 29.Joseph, Remington. Earthworm Jim Creator Under Fire for Transphobic Comments. Comics Gaming Magazine. 2017-08-03.
- 30.Hughes, William. Earthworm Jim creator pops up to remind Twitter of his transphobic views. The A.V. Club. 2017-08-03.
- 31.Tamburro, Paul. Earthworm Jim creator: 'Transphobe' is used to slander conservatives. GameRevolution. 2020-03-05.
- 32.Dominguez, Noah. TenNapel Retracts Claim DC's Jim Lee Pressured Murphy to Pull Variant Cover. CBR. 2020-03-06.
- 33.Heroes + Villains: All Powered Up. Chicago Tribune. 2009.
- 34.Ghostopolis. Kirkus Reviews. June 15, 2010.
- 35.Review of the Day:Bad Island by Doug TenNapel. June 4, 2011.
- 36.New tweener graphic novels by Doug TenNapel, Raina Telgemeier and Royden Lepp are hitting the shelves. Los Angeles Times. August 26, 2012.
- 37.Terry Scott Taylor : Return to the Neverhood. www.danielamos.com.
- 38.Earthworm Jim Voice - Earthworm Jim (Video Game). Behind The Voice Actors.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessauthority file
Secondary witnessreference work
Wikidata, structured authority record Q3038050: Doug TenNapelWikimedia Foundation
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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