I just finished my 2nd reading of Warp Zone by Ted Lange IV. (Ted Lange III was Isaac on Love Boat!)  What a weird comic this is.  It has some identity issues at times, but it’s still very entertaining, I think the comic will be perfect for the ADD watchers of Ren and Stimpy and the gamers who loved Afro-Samurai . . . also some of us kids who grew up with Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.

MILD SPOILERS BELOW

So, anyway, there are these guys/kids who live in a different reality.  I call this reality ‘comic reality,’ because it lives by comic rules.  The narrator is all over the 4th wall, slapstick comedy changes the rules of physics, characters facing imminent doom happen to have the perfect weapon that they chose not to use until the very last second . . . etc.  Anyway, these kids can travel across ‘worlds,’ where they see things like Dragon Squirrels and Ogres who appear to exist primarily to chase/threaten the fearless heroes who ultimately win in a comedic/unexpected way.  These kids are part of a broader Cosby Kids-esque gang and are going to explore a tear in a wall to somewhere or other TBD. Voila.  That’s issue one. 

The art is great.  Reminiscent of Fat Albert, Afro-Samurai, and a general homage to the ’70s, with some occasionally snappy/talented frames, the artwork suits the mood of the comic.  Easy to follow, the only issue (if it is one) is that occasionally the frames/art get so garage-y that it seems like you’re reading your buddy’s attempt at comics.  Not the end of the world and still (occasisonally) entertaining as hell . . . just a note.

The story is all over the place.  Which, I think, is the goal.  Ted (born 1978) apparently loved Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Fat Albert and Saturday cartoons . . . they are all there.  He also liked Super Mario, as there are TWO references to Mario and his siblings/friends.  That said, as I think the usual comic writer is making sense of time warps, alternate realities, micro-verses, and gender bending universal gods . . . this one is not hard to follow.  And, the characters, so far, are pretty likeable and (once again) reminiscent of all the art (Hitch Hiker’s, Fat Albert, Mario, etc.) referenced above.

All in all, it’s a good effort and is fun to read.  I recommend it after some crazy Image or Dark Horse series of complex comics that ends with horrible deaths . . . you know, when you just want to chill.

Enjoy!