Badger: Zen Pop Funny-Animal Version #1

Badger: Zen Pop Funny-Animal Version #1 was published in 1989 by First Comics as a distinct, stylistic experiment within the broader Badger franchise. Created by writer Mike Baron, the Badger series originally followed the adventures of Norbert Sykes, a martial artist with multiple personalities. This specific spin-off reimagined the gritty tone of the source material into the 'funny-animal' aesthetic that was popular in underground and alternative comics of the era, intending to satirize and play with the tropes of the genre while maintaining the character's core personality.

The issue features artwork that moves away from the series' traditional realistic style, adopting a cartoonish, expressive quality common to the era's experimental indie titles. The project was conceived during a period when First Comics was actively diversifying its line, allowing creators to explore peripheral versions of their established characters. While it remains a niche item for dedicated fans of the Badger mythos, the issue is remembered as an interesting curiosity that demonstrates the flexibility of comic book characters when placed into non-traditional visual formats.