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THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY WEEN, BOY GENIUS 3: MONKEY TALES #5
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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Oni Press
Writer/Artist: Judd Winick
Editor: Jamie S. Rich
Price: $2.95 US/$4.50 CAN |
This Barry Ween story is unlike any other, as it is not simply a standalone story. Winick proves once more that there's more to these odd characters than just potty humor and sci-fi fun. There's an emotional heart to it, dealing with isolation and friendship. Of his ongoing peojects (meaning, those other than the Pedro and Me graphic novel), the Barry Ween books continue to stand out as Winick's finest work.
Barry and Jeremy turn up in an alternate dimension characterized by a primitive society and a lack of technology. There, they find their friend Sara, all grown up, thanks to a time differential between the two dimensions. Sara and her friends need Barry to help them rescue the ape-god Bezeruul, whom Barry had previously run afoul. Meanwhile, Barry tries to figure out a way to get Sara back to Earth and to restore her youth, but she's not as open to the idea as he thought she'd be.
Winick mixes exaggeration with a slightly more realistic look for his characters incredibly well... as always. The story is told clearly, and despite the wordiness of the script, the visuals manage to hold their own. My only real complaint about the art is the lack of background detail.
Though Barry has one shining comedic moment in this issue (revolving around his completion of a mission as requested by Bezeruul's people), it's Jeremy who really provides the laughs. He remains my favorite character and the book's greatest strength. It's easy to relate to Jeremy's unbridled enthusiasm. There's an odd innocence to him. Despite his profanity and his fascination with bazoombahs and other parts of the female anatomy, he remains a kid at heart.
Winick has achieved a surprising balance between hilarity and humanity in Barry Ween. Amid the gags and goofy characters, there's a sense of the tragic. Barry Ween, despite his close friendship with Jeremy, is alone in the world. He's a kid whose intelligence has robbed him of innocence. That loneliness is crystalized in this issue when Jeremy serves as an emotional go-between for Barry and Sara.
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