Hsu and Chan

    (Slave Labor, 2003-2005)
™ and © Slave Labor Graphics

As a one-page feature poking fun at the videogame industry each and every month in Electronic Gaming Monthly, Hsu and Chan (a strip about a couple of game designers) is a distinct pleasure. As a standard-size adventure-humor comic book published on a semi-regular basis, Hsu and Chan is a bit less successful. Each installment is good for a few laughs, but the chuckles are harder to get to, since you have to wade through more story-based material.

As the story progresses, ur heroes find themselves under attack by an assassin, venturing on a company picnic (accompanied by a motivational speaker who talks to ferns and other such objects) and meeting disturbingly intelligent bears (one of which maintains a hardcore Everquest addiction). The storytelling is less than smooth in spots, and the art has a minimalist quality that heavy shading (which the artist apologizes for) does little to mask. However, the punchy, oftentimes darkly humorous dialogue is just infectious enough to warrant a mild recommendation.

— Brett Weiss
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  • 1
    #1
    Jan 2003
    Cover: $2.95
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    #2
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  • 3
    #3
    Jul 2003
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    1 copy for $0.86
  • 4
    #4
    Oct 2003
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    2 copies from $7.68
  • 7
    #7
    Apr 2005
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Norman von Scott  ·  A: Norman von Scott
    1 copy for $26.00