Two-in-One Review: Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius 3: Monkey Tales #6 Don and Randy take a look at the finale of the third Barry Ween mini-series... or at least, most of it. Randy: Traditionally, Don and I use our Two in One review space to look at independent books we don't usually cover, and also traditionally, we review Oni Press material in our regular reviews. However, Barry Ween is not what you call traditional anyway, so breaking with our regular review traditions when it comes to the final issue of the Winick's latest mini-series seems appropriate. Don: Yep, the guys from Oni made sure we had a preview copy of this book, but apparently, the ending is such a shocker that they didn't include it for fear the surprise would be spoiled online. THOSE FILTHY TEASING BASTARDS!!!!!!! Ahem... onto the review. Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius 3: Monkey Tales #6 published by Oni Press written & illustrated by Judd Winick Randy: Barry Ween has traditionally been a modern-day fantasy, about a boy genius and his gadgets. So you have to hand it to Winick for taking Barry and Jeremy far away from their (and I use this term loosely) "normal" lives and into the Planet of the No-Techno Apes for the conclusion of this series. The final issue combines epic fantasy and battle with the usual foul language and techno-babble based humor, and the result is every bit as impressive as... well, as every other issue of Barry Ween I've ever read. Don: This concluding issue takes us back to the extra-dimensional world where Barry, Jeremy and Sara are trapped, and must remain so until they help to free a kindly people's ape-god, Bezerull. He's being held captive -- and transformed into an entity of evil -- by a neighboring army of brutes. Short-handed in the technology department, Barry comes up with a plan to save the day. Randy: I've said it before, and I still think it's true, Barry isn't the star of this series as much as Jeremy and Sara are. While Barry is the brains, it's Jeremy's reactions to these unusual situations, and the uncharacteristic personality traits that Sara brings out in Barry, that really makes the series interesting. Watching Jeremy teach the kids to curse, and the idea of Jeremy teaching anyone anything, is both frightening and funny. There's also a really sweet moment between Barry and Sara this issue, as the two of them continue to deal with the changed relationship between the two of them. Don: Though we both agree about how much we love this book, we disagree about what makes it tick. I see Barry Ween as being very much about the title character. It's not sci-fi; it's not fantasy. It's a tragedy bundled up in hilarity. Jeremy is the angry soul that he is because he's isolated from the world around him. Sara's knowledge of his secret genius and her adulthood puts the pair on an even keel. In other words, we see Barry happy for the first time in this issue, and it's a payoff that's been three series and a few years in the making. Randy: Winick gets a lot of credit for humor, but not enough credit for action. The battle between the Tolan and Sara's warriors is an impressive bit of epic warfare, and you definitely get a feel of danger and action alongside the humor. In fact, Winick doesn't seem at all shy about making drastic changes to the status quo or threatening any of the main characters, and the dire tone of the first issue combined with the secret ending have me wondering just what might befall Sara, Barry or Jeremy as a result of this final issue. Don: Yes, Winick's cartoony art is surprisingly kinetic and conveys movement well, but not in a cartoony, Looney Tunes kind of way. There's an excited giddiness to the script, and that's mirrored in the art as well. As chaotic and goofy as the art can be, though, it also reinforces the quiet, touching moments just as well... no, scratch that... even better. Randy: I took a chance on Barry Ween way back when because it sounded like fun, even though I knew nothing about the creator. Although Winick's profile has risen considerably, with him tackling a major ongoing series at both DC and Marvel, Barry Ween still remains my favorite of his work. Don: I'm pleased Randy checked out Barry from the start, because he's the one who put me onto it. I love every issue of the book as well, not only because of its high quality, but because I can relate to it. Trust me... Randy is the Jeremy to my Barry Ween. He is so my bitch. Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius 3 #6 is slated for release on Wednesday, Feb.20. Email Randy and Don comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.