Discover More About THE DARK CRYSTAL Universe in a New Bestiary

The world of The Dark Crystal is lush and weird; it’s filled with fantastical creatures. That goes for the 1982 film and the recent Netflix series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. A new book from Insight Editions, The Dark Crystal Bestiary: The Definitive Guide to the Creatures of Thra, will serve as the most comprehensive guide to the complex, beautiful universe. It will show off those fantastical creatures. The tome features over 200 all-new fantasy illustrations by Brian Froud’s protégé Iris Compiet showcasing Thra’s fauna from Landstriders to Skeksis. And today, we’re happy to share an exclusive look at five images from the upcoming title—including Fizzgigs! After all, they are the cutest critters in Thra.

The Dark Crystal Bestiary cover

Insight Editions

Writer Adam Cesare worked with Compiet on text accompanying the illustrations. The entries have a naturalist feel. This looks like it’s going to be a gorgeous way to experience Thra and learn more about the world’s lore from the movie, to the television series, to books and comics. In some cases, The Dark Crystal Bestiary will include visual representation of creatures that have only been mentioned before. It’s almost like stumbling across a journal of someone who has gotten up close and personal with world most of us only know from the screen.

That said, let’s get into looking at exclusive images. We’ll start with Fizzgigs. Look at this cute fuzz and its many teeth.

Fizzgig illustration from Dark Crystal Bestiary

Insight Editions

And next, Aughra. She’s the most powerful being on Thra and a fierce protector of the world… even though the Skeksis tricked her.

Aughra illustration from Dark Crystal Bestiary

Insight Editions

Then we have Grottans. The sweet, kind Deet from The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance was a Grottan.

Grottan illustration from Dark Crystal Bestiary

Insight Editions

It’s hard to talk about The Dark Crystal without mentioning the Mystics and Skesis. The below spread shows skekMal the Hunter with his Mystic counterpart urVa.

skekMal and urVa illustration from Dark Crystal Bestiary

Insight Editions

Finally, please take a look at this illustration of a Gelfling.

Gelfling illustration from Dark Crystal Bestiary

Insight Editions

Yeah, I’m going to need to own this book.

The Dark Crystal Bestiary: The Definitive Guide to the Creatures of Thra arrives on October 13. It’s available for pre-order now.

Featured Image: Insight Editions

Amy Ratcliffe is the Managing Editor for Nerdist and the author of The Jedi Mind, available for pre-order now. Follow her on  Twitter and Instagram.

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