Image Comics is launching a new series titled Crimes Against Nature on Wednesday, September 23. The story follows animal trainer Doctor Kermit Groeden and Amigo the Ape as they attempt to clear their names after being framed for a crime.

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A Banana-Catered Talk Show and a Frame-Up

The narrative of Crimes Against Nature kicks off with a bizarre incident during a talk show production that featured a banana-centric theme. According to the report, this event descends into chaos, leaving Doctor Kermit Groeden and his companion, Amigo the Ape, as the primary scapegoats for a larger, more sinister conspiracy.. The duo is forced to flee through the neon-lit streets of Los Angeles, evading police and government agents who are determined to keep them in custody.

This setup positions Crimes Against Nature as a blend of neo-noir, thriller, and comedy. the plot focuses on the struggle of Doctor Kermit Groeden and Amigo the Ape to unravel a web of deceit while navigating the physical and emotional obstacles that the source describes as an "avalanche of bananas."

Eliot Rahal and Mattia Monaco's Unlikely Duo

The creative vision for the series is driven by writer Eliot Rahal and artist Mattia Monaco. As reported by the source, the visual style of Crimes Against Nature intentionally juxtaposes gritty, realistic street scenes with exaggerated, absurdist elements. This artistic choice highlights the friction between the high-stakes investigation and the comedic nature of the protagonists.

The character dynamics are central to the appeal, pairing the sharp wit of Doctor Kermit Groeden with the primal instincts of Amigo the Ape. Amigo is not a typical animal sidekick; he is an Oscar-nominated primate with a flair for drama, adding a layer of Hollywood satire to the partnership as the two fight for their survival.

Digital Sabotage and the Modern Noir Tradition

By incorporating a plot involving internet infrastructure sabotage, Crimes Against Nature updates the traditional buddy-cop and noir tropes for the digital age. The story suggests that the frame-up of Doctor Kermit Groeden and Amigo the Ape is a calculated move by a shadowy tech entity to distort the truth and manipulate global perceptions. This narrative choice reflects a broader cultural anxiety regarding how digital tools can be weaponized to orchestrate false allegations on a massive scale.

The series uses the bond between Doctor Kermit Groeden and Amigo the Ape to explore whether friendship can withstand the pressure of a global manhunt. By blending these themes, Image Comics is attempting to redefine the crime-comedy genre, moving it away from simple tropes and toward a commentary on redemption and systemic manipulation.

Who is the Shadowy Tech Entity?

Despite the detailed setup of the protagonists' plight, several critical elements of the conspiracy remain unverified. The source mentions a "shadowy tech entity" and "international operatives," but it does not name the spceific organization or individual pulling the strings behind the sabotage of the internet infrastructure. This leaves a significant gap in the known narrative: it is unclear if the antagonist is a rogue corporation, a foreign government,or a fictionalized version of a real-world tech giant.

Furthermore, the report does not specify the exact nature of the crime for which Doctor Kermit Groeden and Amigo the Ape were framed. While the talk show incident is the catalyst, the specific legal charges they are fleeing remain a mystery, leaving readers to wonder how a banana-themed production could escalate into a threat that might "jeopardize the planet."