Ranger Ralph

    (Oerding, 1997-2003)
™ and © Oerding Illustrated

For a comic book that reads like a 15-year-old’s best effort, Ranger Ralph has a surprising, quirky charm to it. It’s as though creator Steven Oerding was able to hold onto a youthful, amateurish style of execution but still maintain an experienced level of discipline and editorial self-guidance.

Oerding’s character, not so surprisingly, is a park ranger who patrols Stickington National Park with his pet and partner who’s, more surprisingly, a deer named Elvis. But this issue’s story starts with a traffic accident that results in an entire truckload of the nation’s favorite breakfast cereal being dumped into Clear Lake. And guess what happens when the lake’s trout population gorges on an unlimited supply of cereal?

The implausible but predictable result typifies this comic book’s unusual mix of youthful enthusiasm and adult restraint. The story wanders a bit, drags in places, and has its share of clichéd dialogue, but through all that comes a comic book that’s innocent and fun to read, a relative rarity nowadays. It’s the best comic book a kid could hope to make that his parents would like.

— Jim Johnson
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Cover Price: $1.95
1 copy available for $194.99 		Steven OerdingSteven Oerding