Review by Sam O'beirn
There are moments in everyone’s life that define the people they become. Moments were we become galvanized, and the truest parts of ourselves are opened to the light of day. Sometimes they show the light in us, giving us a chance to grasp the brass ring, and become heroes. Sometimes they show the dark sides of us, sides that we’d normally keep chained deep inside so no one gets hurt. Be it through Love or loss, we all have these moments. For some, it was sports. For some, it was the loss of a loved one.
For The Goon, it was China town.
Fans of the comic series eagerly awaited the tale that Frankie always hinted at, and in November of 2007, Eric Powell Finally delivered. Hardbound and done in full watercolor, the story of The Goon’s tragic past as well as the introduction of a major villain for the comic was different than most of the goon books that had been put out. On the second page, with an image of a Chinese demon glaring out of the shadows are three words. These words shape how you read the book. These three simple words are “This Ain’t Funny.” Truer words have never been spoken.
I can’t give away too much of the plot, without ruining the entire story, but it deals with Mirna, the girl that Goon keeps at arms length, as well as his first love, Bella. The art in the book is amazing. With very little color during the current times, and the past done all in seipa tones, you really get a feel for what’s going on. The bleakness of the art lends itself to the story, and is really needed. The most powerful part of the book, however, can be seen near the very end. Without getting into too much detail, we see the goon looking at himself in the mirror. Rather than doing this in panels, Eric Powell has done full portraits of the Goon, and we watch for five pages as his heart shatters.
Beautiful and heart wrenching art, a wonderful and terrifying storyline, Eric Powell has outdone himself. Thank you Eric Powell, for making a hero for all us ugly kids. (available from Dark Horse Comics)
10/10.