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THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY WEEN, BOY GENIUS 3: MONKEY TALES #5
Highly Recommended (10/10)
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Oni Press
Writer/Artist: Judd Winick
Editor: Jamie S. Rich
Price: $2.95 US |
This is reportedly the beginning of a two-part story that Winick has been waiting to tell, and in fact the entire reason for the rest of the mini-series. Given that, you'd expect it to be the best story in the series thus far. I'm not sure about that, but it's certainly as funny and smart as I've come to expect from Barry Ween. There are some insights into Barry, Sara and Jeremy in this issue that make perfect sense but that I hadn't really thought about previously, and it's interesting to note that while Barry Ween is a concept that has a relatively stable
status quo and allows new readers to jump on easily, Winick is moving the
characters and their stories forward at the same time.
For the longest time, my favorite characters in this book have been Sara and Jeremy, despite the fact that I love Barry's character as well. This issue continues that trend, as Sara (after the changes she's gone through) is even more fascinating and intelligent than she had been. She can truly hold her own with Barry, and although she may not know him as well as Jeremy does, she's less like the people around Barry who he can't respect because they're so simple to understand. We've had the bond between Barry and Sara explored in several issues of Barry Ween before, and so the explosion of anger that
erupts from Barry when Sara reveals her decision about going back is to be
expected.
Jeremy, on the other hand,
doesn't change a bit in this story, and that's what I love about him. He's
unflappable, taking everything pretty much in stride, which makes him a perfect
companion for Barry. Whether it's his nonchalant reaction to Barry in danger,
absolutely confident that his friend can handle himself, or his hilariously
happy reaction to strange changes such as Sara's new fortunes or the place that
he and Barry find themselves in, Jeremy is at once the comic relief of the book
and its heart.
Winick's storytelling is
strongest in dialogue, and he's got some terrific lines here. However, his
characterization is also a strength, and there are some revealing moments here,
from Barry's monologue about his intelligence to his exchange with Bezeruul to
his exchange with the professor who has been stuck in the dimension. Every
exchange between characters is generally filled with humor, but it also tells us
something about the characters.
Backing all of the strengths
of story up is Winick's artwork. He conveys the alien sense of the world without
making it terribly frightening, with fantasy/tribal style gear and riding
lizards like something out of a Jack Kirby/Hanna Barbera cartoon. The fight
sequence between Barry and the tribal warriors is funny because of Jeremy's
reaction, but it also shows us that Barry has assets beyond simple intelligence.
And the variety of emotions that Barry and Sara feel is clear on their faces.
Adventures of Barry Ween remains one of the best titles
published today, and probably the funniest comic on the market.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board. |
