LARRY JOHNSON'S IN HIS OWN WORLD

Artist/writer Larry Johnson's In His Own World may be his most buoyant and unusual submission, where he places himself among his endearing comic-book characters. (For the record, this ten-part, 48-page sojourn was published about twenty years ago in Tim Corrigan's All Comics APA, and now the chapters have resurfaced in a stylish, trade paperback.)

The winsome plot taps Richard Matheson's Twilight Zone fable, "A World of His Own" (though perhaps as filtered through the colorful palette of Hanna-Barbera), allowing Johnson to meet Lew Brown (for all intent, Johnson's comic-strip alter ego), who wishes to conduct an interview with his creator. Madame Boogala and her son, Goomar, soon appear, along with Dr. Young, Morpho, Zooy, Rubberonliea (aka Rhonda Cry), Chano, Cloud, Fog, Zero Man, Astro Lady, the Slithering Snake, Bad Guy, Clickwa, Reform and others. 

The flow of manifestations works due to Johnson's inimitable, surreal style, with one character (and related scenario) springing from the other, prompting an unrepressed stream that matches his Dream Diary offerings, though with its culminating phases reminiscent of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. (There's a swell, Earth vs the Flying Saucers component woven in, too.)

Johnson's concept reminds us that what we envision constitutes who we are. Such are our special, cerebral imprints and should always be referenced and studied, if only to confirm where we've started, where we are at present and where we're likely to go.  

Order In His Own World at 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7FKPYP2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title