Not only is postmodern comedy radically different in tone, but it makes no sense for most of the characters in a serious comedy like "Lost in Yonkers" to be frothing at the mouth with one-liners.

WSJ: Putting the Punch in Punch-Line | Neil Simon | Laughter on the 23rd Floor | Mad Cow Theatre | Review by Terry Teachout

One of the characters is made into a firefighter who has lost friends.

BBC: 25th Hour

"Keep in mind that he comes out of the tradition of (French author) Jules Verne, whose characters are always traveling around the world and finding lost civilizations and incredible ruins, " he continued.

CNN: Comic book hero Tintin's archaeological escapades