Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius 3: Monkey Tales

(Oni, 2003)
™ and ©2003 Judd Winick

Barry Ween can best be described as a cross between the intelligent insight of Calvin and Hobbes and the hysterical profanity of South Park. The main character is a foul-mouthed, brilliant, inventor kid named Barry Ween, and the story so far has revolved around experiments going wrong and Barry being transported to unknown places or times with his friends, Jeremy and Sara.

The trend continues in this issue, but not before readers are treated to an increasingly funny extended flashback sequence involving Barry and Jeremy as even younger kids being babysat together. Jeremy’s normal, hyperactive personality is multiplied by 10 at that age, while his overprotective parents prevent him from doing anything fun. Of course, Barry takes care of this but soon has his hands full keeping Jeremy from destroying everything in sight.

The humor of Barry Ween is mostly visual, as creator Judd Winick, known for his work on Green Lantern and on the graphic novel Pedro and Me, shows his talent for cartoony characters and mad expressions. At the same time, the endless barrage of profanity inspires the same giggles as a recent episode of South Park.

— Steve Horton

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