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The Goon: Chinatown and the Mystery of Mr. Wicker
Posted 29 Dec 2007
Writer: Eric Powell
Artist: Eric Powell
Publisher: Dark Horse
5.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by Kevin Agot
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The Goon comic book is a tour-de-farce of genre-busting,
zombie-slashing, blackened-humor, twisted-comedy of a roller coaster
ride of fun-tasy. There really isn’t a book like it on the market.
Reading the comic book gives readers free reign to jump into the
imaginative worlds of Eric Powell’s creative evil genius. If what I
read on these pages is part of what goes on in the right side of
Powell’s well-nourished brain, then I don’t think I ever want to meet
him.
“Powell’s storytelling
acumen is
clearly displayed
throughout the book.”
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However, Eric Powell’s first new hardcover graphic novel, The
Goon: Chinatown and the Mystery of Mr. Wicker (published by Dark
Horse) shows readers a uniquely introspective side of The Goon pathos
that is buried deep within the lead character and is expertly laid
bare for all to see in this magnificent book. We finally see glimpses
of the detritus from The Goon’s past that shaped his character today.
The book doesn’t bother with dedications, prefaces or
introductions, but instead jumps in your face immediately after the
title page with a warning reminiscent of the disclaimers at the start
of an episode of Criss Angel’s MindFreak. A whole page
is blackened out with large, ominous letters declaring “This
Ain’t Funny” punctuated by a demonic face faded into the
background barely seen.
It can be easy to overlook Powell’s storytelling expertise given
the playful romp we’re usually accustomed to in The Goon’s world.
But, Powell’s storytelling acumen is easily and clearly displayed
throughout the book. There were occasions when I’d read the book that
I’d see his creative keenness and artistic insight that is very
Eisneresque. Powell’s genius shows from the ebb and flow of the
sequential panels to the intimately accurate portrayal of emotions
from being busted and guilt-ridden, to heartfelt loss and painful
anguish.
As flamboyantly outrageous and psychedelically crazy as some of the
characters and concepts strewn throughout the book can be, Powell
conversely portrays The Goon’s past colored in softer, plain sepia.
This is a masterful use of color to frame these sequences in a
reflective mood as well as cast the readers of the story into his
pensive disposition while viewing his past.
One of the most impactful aspects of the story didn’t involve any
explosions or bodies flying around after having met the business end
of Goon or his pal Franky’s furious fists. After having been rejected
by a woman he loves, The Goon sits in the shadows reeling from
rejection, gets up and goes to the bathroom mirror and just stares at
himself. This seven-page sequence of silence reveals progressions of
torment, shock and disbelief morphing into unfettered anger and
relentless rage. In these few wordless pages, the readers get a
personal, ringside view into the depths of The Goon’s heart. You
can’t help but feel empathetic towards him as we see him wanting to
leave his corrupt and violent lifestyle and to start all over again
with the woman he loves, only to have this dream obliterated forever.
The only link and motivation to his pathway to a new life is severed
by four cuttingly hurtful words from Isabella, “I don’t want you”. I
believe that Isabella actually loved Goon as evidenced by the letter
she wanted to give him perhaps explaining why she expressed those
feelings. Maybe she loved Goon but didn’t want his violent way of
life. Maybe she didn’t believe that The Goon could make a radical and
permanent change and would soon revert to his current lifestyle. We
will never know, as Isabella threw her letter into the garbage can.
Her heart, too, never fully revealed to The Goon.
The Goon: Chinatown and the Mystery of Mr. Wicker is a story
of redemption denied and also of friendships tempered and forged.
Through the roller coaster that is The Goon’s life, his pal Franky is
always there for him. Franky and The Goon share a commonality of
purpose in their lives by being the strong-armed enforcers of their
city. However ignoble their purpose may be, their friendship is one
of honor and forthrightness. Franky becomes disheveled, disoriented
and dismayed when The Goon contemplates leaving the life they share.
He is revived and rejuvenated when The Goon, rejected by
Isabella, consequently rejects the straight and narrow and decides
to return to his crooked vocation. This story was one that had to be
told as a stand-alone vehicle deserving of its hard cover status.
This is truly one of the best stories told this year and further
supports his rising superstardom as one of the greater talents in the
industry today.
—CCdC—
Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
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