THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY WEEN: BOY GENIUS.
The boy genius with a serious attitude problem gets collected

Writer and Artist: Judd Winick
Colorist: Barry Gray
Trade Paperback
Published by Oni Press 1999
$8.95

Reviewed by Mario Di Giacomo

I was never fond of the 'reality-based' TV programs which MTV finds it necessary to promote. So when I heard that Image Comics was putting out a miniseries created by a former cast member of REAL WORLD, my reaction could best be described as apathetic. However, one particular day, as an impulse buy, I picked up the first issue of THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY WEEN: BOY GENIUS. I confess, it was the title that caught my attention.

"When Barry accidentally opens a tear in the space-time continuum, I laughed out loud"

The very first panel, describing the birth of the protagonist (a prepubescent super-genius with the attitude of a young John Constantine), drew me in. When, two pages later, Barry accidentally opens a tear in the space-time continuum, and reacts with a four-letter word that rhymes with 'duck'...I laughed out loud.

I was sold, so much so that having missed picking up the 3rd issue I made a pest of myself at last year's San Diego Comic-Con looking for a copy. I never found one. Fortunately, Winick had made arrangements for a collection of the series (as well as a follow-up mini) to be published by Oni Press. I tend to approach stories from a writer's perspective, so can't comment much on Winick's artistic skills, except to note that his characters clearly reflect his background in comic strips. However, the plotline (described by Garth Ennis as "Calvin and Hobbes on PCP") suits such a treatment.

"A hilarious read, and well worth your time."

That's not to say that this is a story for children. As implied above, Barry has little qualms about using profanity, and there are frequent usages of what might be called 'toilet humor'. The vulgarity doesn't interrupt the plot, however, and part of me suspects that if I eavesdropped on my young cousins, I'd find their dialogue familiar. BARRY WEEN is not a masterpiece of comics literature, and there's little chance of it spawning a renaissance in the industry. It is, however, a hilarious read, and well worth your time.

Recommended

Mario Di Giacomo is a regular contributor to PopImage.

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