Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is packed with delightful and imposing characters, including the powerhouses we’re sharing here. Fair warning: Gum Baby throws sap!

Gum Baby

A living doll and agent tasked by John Henry and Brer Rabbit to retrieve Anansi’s journal in the human world. Gum Baby is one-foot tall, carved out of wood, and has the ability to throw sap at her enemies. She’s incredibly opinionated, quick to anger, and overly aggressive, but her heart is in the right place.

High John

A former African prince who was captured and sold into slavery, he is currently a morally ambiguous fellow residing in Alke. He wants control of the Story Box for his own selfish reasons. High John can usually be seen with Old Familiar, a giant shadow crow he rides across Alke.