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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Notes

Writer

Artist

#1

January, 2003
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $1.92

Norman von Scott

#2

Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $0.96

Norman von Scott

#3

July, 2003
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $0.86

Norman von Scott

#4

October, 2003
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $7.68

Norman von Scott

#7

April, 2005
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $26.00

Norman von Scott