Juan Ruiz is a young Mexican American graphic novelist who transforms into a chupacabra (a vampiric creature from folklore) whenever the people he cares about are in danger. In this form his skin turns to scales and he gains a canine-like physiology, though being far larger than a normal human in this form. The chupacabra has spikes trailing up its spine along with strong claws, sharp teeth and orange eyes that have enhanced vision allowing him to see in the dark. He generally doesn’t remember what he does in this form nor does he exactly have any control over his actions.