The few times that writers have actually used the term “tour de force” to describe a comic book were likely hyperbole, except in some rare instances. Roger Langridge’s FRED THE CLOWN is one of those rare instances because the book is a catalog of Langridge exceptional drawing skills and draftsmanship.
Langridge’s stories are a restless collection of misadventures featuring the title character, a slovenly clown who loves more than he can be loved, or, more aptly, loves more than other people can reasonable tolerate him. Although the stories are relentlessly pessimistic, that glumness in Fred the Clown is more in the spirit of Charles Schulz’s cynicism about human relationships. Langridge happily avoids bogging himself down in negativity, choosing instead to send his signature creation on a series of madcap adventures in the vein of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland or a Jodorowsky film.
Artistically, the Langridge’s art is strictly yesteryear. A combination of Max Fleischer, an amalgam of classic newspaper strips (to many to name), a bit of Dr. Seuss, etc, Langridge’s cartoons are essentially the essence of cartooning. Although the stories can be a bit dull, Fred the Clown is a treasure on the strength of Langridge’s pen alone. B+
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The Ancient Greek Goddess of Wisdom, War, The Arts, Industry, Justice, and Skill is reborn in the modern world.
