Review by Frank Plowright

In Total Winner Jim Smith transferred his all-ages novel franchise to comics, the result as sparkling and hilarious as the books. As those books are heavily illustrated Smith has a head start, but the graphic novels seem as effortless as the novels. Of course, that’s the trick Smith pulls off phenomenally well, disguising how much effort has been made to ensure the opposite effect.

Barry Loser is unfortunately named, but an otherwise smart and resourceful kid full of ideas and so well equipped to deal with the obstacles Smith throws in his way. Smith takes his inspiration from the formula gradually devised by Leo Baxendale for his Beano strips, where he inserted comments from the readers and has his characters address them directly on occasion. Smith supplies three adventures, all of which will have adults laughing out loud, never mind children, as he applies an absurd sense of humour ensuring anything can happen.

‘Vending Machine Dad’ takes the idea of one parent being soft touch a step further than reality when Barry’s Dad is transformed into a vending machine. Push the right button, and your wish can come true. ‘Daz vs Baz’ has Barry’s arch-enemy Darren become even more unbearable than usual when he wins a competition, while ‘The Boring Story’ concerns Barry’s babysitter Mr. Hodgepodge telling a story so boring that the next morning Barry’s turned into a Grandad. He still looks like Barry, but his likes have changed. For instance his favourite TV show is no longer Hawk vs Stuff, but a show about screwdrivers on Channel 27.

There’s no telling where Smith’s imagination will lead, which makes Barry Loser a delight, and while grim things happen, the comedy gloss ensures they’re without consequences. How good is Smith? Well, he can even slip in a lesson about the correct use of apostrophes and keep Action Hero hilarious.

While it’s the creative writing that carries the magic, Smith’s cartooning is complementary, being simple, lively and expressive. His biographical notes mention his own big nose, so every person is drawn with a nose of excessive dimensions even for the big heads on tiny bodies he draws. Or, to be correct, that Barry draws, as part of the joke is Barry drawing his own adventures. There are tips at the back if you also want to draw like Barry.

Total Loser was fantastic, and Action Hero is even better. More please.