PokeNatomy Kickstarter Puts Pokemon Under The Microscope

If you aren't familiar with the whys and hows of Pokemon and seek to understand the popular creatures a little better, Christopher Stoll's PokeNatomy series might be just what you're looking for.

We've spotlighted PokeNatomy previously, but Stoll has recently started a PokeNatomy Kickstarter which seeks to put all 150 original Pokemon under the microscope and into one fully illustrated artbook. The unofficial guidebook will consist of 300 8x10 pages and will feature the original set of Pokemon's biology, as well as in-depth analysis of their abilities.

The Kickstarter has several tiers, including basic ones that feature a PDF download of the book, softcover and hardcover editions, signed editions, and the leather hardcover version that can even include your own design suggestions via a Skype call with Stoll. The project has about 29 days to go and sits at just over $7000, with a final goal of $20,000. The good news for fans is that Stoll is already underway with the project.

"Currently, the book is about 30-50% done, with less than 90 Pokémon left to go. The text formatting, layout, editing, and internal design is already set. I have decided to work once again with the company PrintNinja, as I have experienced their quality and expertise firsthand."

For those unfamiliar with the series, it breaks various Pokemon down to what makes them tick, both ability wise and regarding their core biology, with some entertaining asides thrown in. Take the Vulpix for instance, who is rather adorable to look at but possesses an effective defense system to would be predators.

"These conspicuous plumed tails and vibrant warning colors let potential predators know that tangling with a Vulpix is a dangerous and unprofitable proposition. Very few Pokemon can withstand the nauseating odor and intense heat caused by their chemical defenses."

Grimers aren't nearly as cute as Vulipix's and, okay, scratch that. Grimers aren't cute at all. Still, it doesn't make their biology any less fascinating. Stoll breaks down what a Grimer consists of. "Grimers are a vast living structure of cytoplasm that contains many free floating nuclei, rather than being divided into individual cells with a single nuclei each, like most Pokemon."

You can view several highlights from the series in the gallery, and for more of Stoll's artwork you can check out his Deviant Art page. You can also view more information on the Kickstarter here.