Gavin Aung Than, Creature Clinic, Figment Books, May 2025, 224 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761215599
Welcome to Creature Clinic – a hospital that treats mythical creatures: from giants to fairies, trolls to unicorns; everyone is cared for – except HUMANS. Humans are seen as the enemy of mythical creatures and are definitely not welcome at the clinic.
Kara Orc is a doctor-in-training. When she discovers an injured human boy trapped under the boot of a giant patient, she doesn’t think twice about treating him. As far as she’s concerned, she took an oath to help all creatures, and that includes humans. Unfortunately, the director of the clinic has other ideas, and the director also happens to be Kara’s mother. Kara hides Mitch from her mother so she can treat him before returning him to his world. But Mitch has other ideas – he wants to explore the clinic and help the patients!
So begins a hilarious tale where the usual story is turned on its head: it’s the mythical creatures who are terrified of humans, viewing them as monsters and murderers. With the able assistance of a cute creature named Oblong, Mitch disguises himself and proves to be an asset to Kara and her work. But will she be able to convince her mother that Mitch is not a danger, but is, in fact, just like them?
Creature Clinic shows how easy it is to demonise ‘the other’, no matter who that ‘other’ is. It also explores mother and daughter tensions, and how these common misunderstandings can be overcome when both parties are willing to listen.
But most of all, this graphic novel is fun! The illustrations pop with energy and colour. The characterisations of all the different creatures are skillfully wrought with the combination of witty dialogue and clever graphics. (The episode where Peggy the unicorn needs to have her broken horn reset is hysterical.)
The author-notes at the end of the book outline the making of Creature Clinic, which is not only fascinating, but very inspiring for any budding graphic novel writers out there. Did you know, for example, that the author usually passes the book onto a colourist once they have completed the ink drawings. Who knew?
I thoroughly enjoyed this original and entertaining graphic novel about helping others in need, no matter who they are.
Highly recommended.
Recommended by the publisher for ages 8-12
Reviewed by Gaby Meares
