Review by Ian Keogh

When helping a mate Korey is accidentally merged with a bounty hunting dinosaur from the future called Rex Power. If that sounds wild, it is, but it makes perfect sense as explained by Ramzee during an engaging opening sequence. It leaves Korey looking normal, but with a constant inner voice that transmits as Sean Dyche gargling lemon flavoured concrete chips, along with access to a range of what to us would be super powers, but are in fact just the future technology Rex Power uses.

Rex has been chasing an insectoid evil scientist, although it’s a fair while before it’s explained why when he’s first seen he’s hunting down a teenage girl. The premise allows for a range of inventive transformed creatures arranged to slow Rex down, and as Invasion of the Fear Bugs is comedy adventure, they tend to congregate around Korey’s home and school. If that isn’t enough to worry about, Rex’s super hearing has let Korey eavesdrop on his adoptive parents, prompting fears he’s returning to the orphanage.

Claude TC’s energetic cartooning is largely supplied across spreads and features a likeable and sympathetic Korey, and a jagged-looking Rex who’s tough, but age-appropriate for a young audience. His rabid fox creatures are great, indicating what his art might be without the age restrictions, and while some other designs are more generic they all work for Korey’s new world.

The introduction of streaming journalist Rin and Rex’s robotic helper broaden the cast as Ramzee escalates the problems and introduces assorted Fortean manifestations. A couple of nice aspects are Korey being central in figuring things out and only calling on Rex when absolutely necessary, and the reinforcement of Catford as the location. Humour plays a part throughout and there are jokes to make adults laugh, never mind kids, while it also fuels the nutty scenarios Ramzee comes up with.

Rex Power delivers creative good fun all the way to the end, which nicely sets up a sequel.