“The Comical Tragedy or Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch” is a remarkable piece of work. Inspired by the graphic novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, the Rogue Artists Ensemble have succeeded impressively in bringing a comic book aesthetic to the stage.

Replete with projected images on two screens, fantastic larger-than-life puppets, gruesome masks and creepy silhouetted scenery, the show is a continual barrage of eye-popping imagery. The story takes as its inspiration the “Punch and Judy” puppet shows of 19th century England.

The basic plotline of these traveling puppet shows follows a crazed hooked nose doll, Punch, who beats and murders his wife and children. The crowds loved it! For whatever archetypal nerve it touched, the story continues to excite audiences (as is evident in this production), which uses the puppet show to parallel the events that unfold among the living characters onstage.

Bootleg Theater is located at 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (800) 838-3006 or visit rogueartists.org.