Nearly 20 years in, Denver comedy luminary Ben Roy has nearly perfected his euphoria-fueled-shot-in-the-arm style of comedy that combines the energy of a Battle of the Bands showdown with the vivid and expansive detail of an impressionist painting. Roy’s comedy is a true thing of raw hilarious beauty. That sentiment continues to be true with his latest hour, fresh off the presses from 800 Pound Gorilla, Hyena.

Many a comedian over the last year or two have released what will likely be their one and only special that will touch on the COVID-19 pandemic and, as such, there is more than plenty of well-trodden territory when it comes to dealing with COVID and post-pandemic life. Roy visits said territory, but he’s such a satisfying force of nature to watch and nails the specificity and details in his writing that Hyena isn’t going to make you go through another tiresome COVID chunk. If anything, Ben’s firebrand persona makes him even stand out here when talking why he’s pro-vaccine, but for reasons that are hilariously political and transparently self-serving. More so than most other “catch-up from 2019” specials, Ben’s take/observations on the last three years are what we hoped such a comedy special would be in 2023.

We’ve talked about the vast spectrum of color that Ben uses with his pen (probably one of those tactical ones that can break through a car window) before with his past hours. It’s so mesmerizing (e.g. his game show pitch for “It’s Asbestos”) that it’s worth noting once more. Roy conjures up imagery not unlike Patton Oswalt, but goes at it with his punk rock conviction giving some sort of feeling that you’re laughing at the color palate of a nuclear tinged horizon at sunset. That’s one of the big reasons Hyena as well as every other Ben Roy release before this are so compelling to watch/listen to.

At the moment, you can rent Ben Roy: Hyena exclusively from 800 Pound Gorilla to see Roy murder at one of most comedians’ all time favorite comedy clubs, The Comedy Works in Downtown Denver for only $10. Come Thurs. Aug 10th, you’ll be able to stream Hyena for free, at your convenience, on 800 Pound Gorilla’s YouTube Channel.