Doc is a creation scientist who knows that God created our universe just as it says in the Bible, and that science is simply the study of how this wonderful world works. Doc teaches Biblical principles using illustrations from science. He emphasizes an understanding of the scientific method so the children will be able to recognize that concepts such as Darwinism are not legitimate science. Doc teaches kids to embrace science, understanding that true science can add to their appreciation of God’s great wisdom and power, inspiring wonder and thankfulness in worshiping their Creator. Costume: As shown here, Doc is a scientist who has very little fashion sense. He wears a lab coat, safety goggles, and a very loud and colorful tie. In addition, Doc's pant legs are rolled up to reveal colorfully striped socks. Items such as test tubes, flasks, or slide rules can help to complete his appearance. Personality: Doc is excited about what science can teach us about God, but he has a reputation for, well... blowing things up. He doesn't mean to do it. It just happens during the excitement of his experiments. Doc gets so excited about things that he feels like a kid–especially when he's learning about God! Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

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Casey is a detective who sets out to solve simple mysteries that arise in dramatic skits. Casey’s quest for the truth often leads her to situations where the answers seem unclear–until she discovers the truth in her Bible. Casey likes to remind the children to think like the Berean Christians, who verified Paul’s words to them by checking in their own copies of the Scriptures. Casey teaches the children that even when the answers seem unclear, God’s Word will always help them to find their way and solve their mysteries! Costume: Casey wears a trench coat and a detective's hat (black & white checkered with bills in front and in back). A pink shirt adds color to her costume, and she almost always has a magnifying glass in her hand and a clue book and Bible in her pocket. Personality: Casey loves to solve mysteries. In fact, she sees almost everything in life as a mystery to be solved. Sometimes when looking for deeper clues, the obvious escapes her, but in the end, she always finds the answers to her mysteries in God's Word. Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

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Blade is a not-so-super super hero who tries to protect truth and justice in the city of Truthopolis. Despite his lack of any special powers and his general silliness, Blade does have one very useful tool on his side–the Sword of the Spirit–His Bible! Blade arrives on the scene of skits which portray conflicts and moral dilemmas similar to those which the kids may actually encounter in their day-to-day lives. When Blade arrives, he works to “save the day” by using his Bible to resolve the conflict. Blade teaches the children that God has given all of them the same “Sword of the Spirit,” and that all of them can use it to resolve conflicts in the same way. Blade hopes to train the children to become “master swordsmen” by properly wielding the Sword of the Spirit through Scripture memorization. Costume: Blade is something of a poor man's super hero, wearing a red mask and a grey or silver hood on his head and a red cape on his back. The rest of Blade's costume consists of a blue long-sleeved shirt worn under a white short-sleeved shirt and grey sweatpants worn under blue jogging shorts (about which he is frequently teased). Red socks and tennis shoes finish his look, and of course, his Bible, his one weapon, is always nearby. Personality: Other than his ability to use his Sword of the Spirit–his Bible, there is absolutely nothing super about Blade. He is an ordinary guy who doesn't seem to realize how silly he looks in his costume, but who truly loves the Lord. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Reid is something of an adventurer, and his favorite kinds of adventures are those which lead him into books, whether books of the Bible, books of classic literature, or books of history. Reid teaches the children how obedience to the Scriptures can resolve conflicts in literature, whether fictitious, historical or Biblical, and how disobedience to God can result in disaster. At the same time, Reid hopes to give the children an appreciation for reading, and the ability to analyze how stories might have been affected by obedience or disobedience to Christ. Reid also wants children to learn life lessons through reading to show how God works through history. Costume: Reid likes to go on adventures through books, and he dresses accordingly. Wearing an Indiana Jones-type fedora or cowboy or safari hat, Reid is ready for any adventure. A brown leather coat or duster, boots, worn denim jeans, a scarf around his neck, and lots of gear such as ropes, a compass, and other items complete the look. Personality: Reid loves nothing more than to go on adventures through books, including classic literature, history, and his favorite, the Bible. Reid has a childlike excitement about his adventures, and he feels most comfortable when reading stories to children. Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

These seven characters are to be performed by puppeteers. Generally, each Truthopolis includes two or three puppet characters who interact with one of the live characters above. The personalities of these puppet characters are found below. Your puppets DO NOT have to look like the artwork provided here. You can acquire puppets wherever you like. Some puppet resources include One Way Street , Puppet Productions, and The Puppet Store.

Arthur is an adult man who may be the whackiest puppet character in Truthopolis. Arthur often concocts crazy ideas and acts on them without thinking things through. Arthur was born in Scotland but grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He enjoys bowling, collecting socks, and his pet chickens. Arthur also has a recurring habit of wearing strange objects on his head. What must Mrs. Diddlebaum think?

Jimmy is Arthur’s son. Jimmy is not a bad kid, but he does tend to come across as a punk, often showing a sarcastic attitude. Mercy and understanding are not Jimmy's strong points, and he doesn't usually excel in kindness, but In the end, Jimmy is usually set straight by the lessons of God’s Word.

Becky is a sweet but hyperactive little girl, full of energy and enthusiasm. Becky often eats way too much sugar and ends up “bouncing off the walls.” She is known to have a pet iguana, named “Fluffy,” and loves to tell stories that have nothing to do with the day’s lesson. She lives in her own, strange little world, but she is very teachable.

Bobby is Becky's brother and acts very much as little boys do. Bobby tends to be very active and excitable, often involved in sports--some of which are very unusual. Bobby likes explosions and all kinds of "boyish" things, though he has been known to have some fairly drastic mood swings.

Candy is a smart little girl who calls things the way she see them. She's not likely to suffer a fool, and she's probably the most "hip" character in town. Candy has some sort of sinus problem which causes her to sound like she always has a cold when she speaks.

Yes, he’s a raccoon–a talking raccoon. He speaks with a Brooklyn accent and is something of a jokester, finding humor in just about everything. Rob sometimes complains about the silly things he is asked to do to help teach the children in Truthopolis, however.

Every story has a villain, and Dr. Deceit fills this role in Truthopolis. Always scheming to deceive the rest of the Truthopolis characters, Dr. Deceit concocts outrageous lies to fool the Truthopolis gang into turning away from God. Dr. Deceit is really a “discount villain,” a sort of bumbling fool and a terrible liar. He is really only dangerous to people who are foolish enough to believe him. But of course, someone always does.

The grandfather of Doc, Casey, Reid and Blade, Gramps is the voice of reason in Truthopolis. Probably the most sensible character among the Truthopolis puppets, Gramps has little patience for foolishness and typically tries to steer the characters back on track when needed. Gramps does not appear very frequently, and so you can use your Arthur puppet in disguise when Gramps is called for in the scripts.