Sweet Tooth: Unveiling the Astonishing 12 Key Divergences between the Show & Source Comics

Summary

The Netflix adaptation of Sweet Tooth presents a refreshing departure from the comics as it takes liberties with characters, events, and overall tone, resulting in an uplifting and less somber narrative.

Notable divergences encompass the absence of suicidal tendencies in Jepperd, alternative developments in Abbot's storyline, the omission of any instances of sexual violence, a portrayal of Gus that highlights his intelligence and heightened heroism, as well as variations in motivations and actions between Tommy Jepperd and Pubba.

The portrayal of the animal army varies between the Netflix series and the comics, with the former depicting them as childlike protectors and the latter portraying them as frightening cult-like adults. Additionally, the series presents Dr. Singh as more ethical, and includes unique elements such as Gus's journey and the introduction of Aimee. It is important to note that this article contains references to suicide and sexual violence.

Sweet Tooth premiered on Netflix and was a resounding success, leading to a second season that further explored the narrative introduced in Jeff Lemire's Sweet Tooth comic series. However, fans of the original comics are well aware that certain adjustments were necessary for the story to transition to a streaming platform. As a result, the TV adaptation diverges significantly from the tone and content of the source material, providing enthusiasts of Sweet Tooth with ample material to compare and contrast between the two versions.

These alterations encompass various aspects such as characters, events, locations, and even Sweet Tooth's personal journey. Despite these discrepancies, both iterations offer compelling tales of survival and amazement, albeit in divergent manners. Initially, the first season of Sweet Tooth on Netflix maintained a similar foundation to the comics, featuring a young hybrid boy navigating the world alone after the passing of his "father." Nonetheless, subtle changes gradually altered the story's course in order to better align with the narrative style of Netflix. As the second season unfolds, the Hybrid children find themselves facing increasingly dire circumstances, continuing to deviate from readers' expectations of the Sweet Tooth comics.

12 Jepperd Is Not Suicidal In The Netflix Series

In the Sweet Tooth comic book, Jepperd's motivation to betray Gus stemmed from the torment of his wife and hybrid child being abducted and subjected to ruthless experiments. However, the events that followed took a different turn in the show. Jepperd received the remains of his loved ones from the Last Men and, rather than succumbing to darkness, he chose to collaborate directly with Abbot. Nevertheless, perhaps the most significant difference between the comic and the show was that, in the books, Jepperd retrieved the remains in order to bury them and subsequently embark on a journey to end his own life. Ultimately, he decided against this tragic fate and instead returned to rescue Gus. Conversely, in the TV adaptation, Jepperd never harbored any desire for self-destruction.

11 Abbot's Story Changes In The Netflix Series

The Sweet Tooth comic depicted Abbot murdering his abusive father in his later years, after the world was devastated by the Sick. He then took Johnny under his guidance and raised him. However, in the Netflix series, the portrayal differs with Abbot killing his father at a young age and having a longer history with Johnny. The deaths of both characters also deviated from the original comic. In the comic version, Abbot shot Johnny in the head when he set free the hybrids, only to meet his demise later at the hands of Gus, who fatally stabbed him. On the other hand, the series portrays Abbot misleading Johnny into a false sense of freedom before shooting him in the back. Additionally, it is a herd of buffalo that ultimately brings about Abbot's demise in the series, rather than Gus.

10 The Sweet Tooth Comics Are Much Darker Than The Show

9 The Sweet Tooth Comics Deal With Sexual Violence

: In contrast to the somber and bleak tone of the Sweet Tooth comics, the Netflix adaptation takes a more optimistic approach right from the beginning. Although there is still a presence of violence and danger, the despair in the series is intertwined with a sense of sweetness and hope. On the contrary, the comics immediately plunge readers into a dark and grim atmosphere. The events involving the military forces and the children in the comics are truly horrific, leaving no room for restraint. Clearly, Netflix opted to soften the narrative for the series, recognizing the challenging nature of portraying the intense horrors depicted in the comics in a live-action format.

One notable contrast between the Sweet Tooth comic and the Netflix show revolves around the portrayal of sexual violence. In the comics, the tone is significantly darker and more violent, presenting a future where no one is exempt from danger. The unsettling reality depicted includes the capture, abuse, dissection, and killing of innocent children, as well as the vilification of women for giving birth to these children. Additionally, there exist camps that not only imprison children but also operate illicit prostitution networks. As Sweet Tooth stumbles upon this shocking revelation, it compels him to take immediate action in order to rescue the captives.

8 Gus Is Not As Smart In The Sweet Tooth Comics

7 Tommy Jepperd Is Much Less Altruistic In The Sweet Tooth Comics

: In the Sweet Tooth series on Netflix, Gus emerges as an endearing and relatable young protagonist, whose enduring qualities could rival those of iconic child heroes featured in Steven Spielberg films. Establishing this connection with viewers is crucial to garner their support and intrigue, as they become invested in witnessing Gus triumph over obstacles and attain his goals. However, this portrayal sharply contrasts with the version of Gus in the original Sweet Tooth comic. The comic rendition of Gus lacks the same level of intellect, as his father did not impart the same education and survival skills that are seen in the Netflix adaptation. In the comics, Gus is portrayed more as an uninformed rural boy rather than the audacious hero depicted in the Netflix series.

Tommy Jepperd, also known as Big Man, is the sole individual actively seeking to assist and protect Gus on the Netflix series. Initially, he was a reluctant hero who wanted nothing to do with the boy. However, he recognized that he couldn't abandon Gus and embarked on a journey to guide him all the way to Colorado while ensuring his safety. This differs from the storyline in the Sweet Tooth comic. In the books, Tommy acquired Gus solely because he was promised the remains of his deceased wife in exchange for capturing a living hybrid child. He initially betrayed Gus in the comics, but later experienced a change of heart and rescued him.

6 Pubba Is Not A Good Man In The Sweet Tooth Comics

Pubba took on the role of Gus's surrogate father, despite not being biologically related to him. In the Netflix series, he imparted valuable self-defense knowledge to Gus and prioritized his own protection until his demise. Thanks to Pubba, Gus gained valuable survival skills well before embarking on his journey. However, in the Sweet Tooth comic, Pubba was depicted as a morally flawed individual, almost reaching the status of a religious zealot. While he did safeguard Gus, his approach was marked by tough love. It was evident that his ordeal at the medical facility had shattered him, causing him to deviate significantly from the father figure portrayed in the comics.

5 The Animal Army Is More Terrifying In The Sweet Tooth Comics

The portrayal of the animal army in the Sweet Tooth comic books greatly differs from its representation in the Netflix adaptation of Sweet Tooth. While the series depicts them as a group of adolescents and teenagers adorned with animal masks, mutually safeguarding one another, and prioritizing their own well-being, it somewhat resembles the Lost Boys from Peter Pan. Conversely, in the Sweet Tooth comics, the animal army evokes terror. They do not consist of children defending each other; rather, they are grown-ups who don animal masks, functioning as a cult. Leading them is a man with five hybrid offspring, utilizing them for his personal agenda.

4 Dr. Singh Is Much More Ethical In The Netflix Sweet Tooth Series

In the Sweet Tooth comics, Dr. Singh subjected hybrid children to horrifying acts, conducting experiments and performing dissections on them. The extent of the hybrid kids he killed remains unknown until his fateful decision to spare Gus and assist him rather than end his life. The Netflix series presents Dr. Singh in a more human light, showcasing his efforts to protect his wife from their zealous neighbors in the wake of the infection. However, circumstances compel him to assume the role of the doctor conducting experiments on hybrid children, as he is held captive and coerced into doing so by General Abbott and the Last Men. By initially portraying him as a benevolent individual, the audience empathizes with his plight.

3 Gus' Journey To Colorado Is Unique To The Netflix Sweet Tooth Series

Gus embarks on distinct adventures in both versions of Sweet Tooth, each with unique objectives. In the Netflix series, his quest is to locate his believed mother, Birdie, leading him from Wyoming to Colorado where she is presumed to reside. The series unveils the truth that Birdie is not his real mother, unbeknownst to Gus. Conversely, in the Sweet Tooth comic books, Gus undertakes an entirely divergent expedition. Instead of searching for his mother, he sets off on a mission to discover a safeguarded sanctuary that provides refuge for hybrids like himself from potential assailants. This thrilling journey takes Gus from Nebraska all the way to Alaska.

2 Aimee Is An Original Character In The Netflix Sweet Tooth Series

1 Dr. Singh's Neighbors Don't Exist In The Sweet Tooth Comics

In the comics, Gus encountered a pig-girl hybrid and together they formed an alliance, battling against all odds to survive. However, the Netflix sci-fi series introduced a new character, Aimee, who served as the adoptive mother of the pig-girl hybrid. Some connections can be drawn between the two versions. In the Sweet Tooth comic, Gus embarked on a quest to find a sanctuary, which is featured in the series, albeit on a smaller scale and with less security. Furthermore, the inclusion of adult Aimee provides Tommy with a means of communication once they join forces, ensuring that the entire burden of the story does not solely rest upon the children's shoulders.

Dr. Singh's neighbors were notably absent in the comics. However, these new scenes served a dual purpose in the Netflix series. Firstly, they were created to establish Dr. Singh as a virtuous individual before his descent into darkness. Secondly, and more importantly, these scenes played a crucial role in the series. Unlike the Sweet Tooth comic, which thrusts readers into the aftermath of the apocalyptic event, the Netflix adaptation aimed to provide a deeper understanding to the viewers. By showcasing these Sweet Tooth flashback scenes, the series revealed the gradual collapse of society and offered insights into the reasons behind its demise.