Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer/Artist: Eric Powell
Release Date: 23rd July 2014

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Stuart Says…

Film Noir and horror. Two great genres that if done well, can smash together a mighty fine read indeed. This is what Eric Powell weaves together pretty well in this first issue. It has more than a whiff of Stephen King and The Dark Tower in there but it manages to blend nicely into the trappings of a dark and sinister thriller. Naturally being a Goon comic, there are nice little touches of comedy too, just to even out the edges.

The story opens with a meeting of tow evil entities as they rally forces of darkness, these forces are to invade and take over the small town The Goon calls home. Mistake number one. The story is told two fold though, the under current of another rides side by side. The poor story of jilted love and demonic suicide. It all comes together nicely and leaves the door open for more goulash goings on.

The art as always is an sight to behold. Powell revels in this new noir direction and lets the horror and fatale types drip off the page in a dangerous fashion. The whole thing in its misty back grounds and lonely streets pull you into a world not unlike our own but more an alternate reality where the villains are monsters but the good guys are not that far from darkness themselves. Thankfully there are still enough white hats to go around.

Rating: 4/5.

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Chris B Says…

I’m going to keep this one short and sweet because there isn’t too much to say about this book apart from how damn near perfect it is.

Powell has managed to excel once again in bringing us a story that instantly absorbs you and leaves you begging for more. Our story opens, not on our skipcap wearing lead, but on the sad story of a man, driven to the end by a woman who clearly doesn’t deserve him. This marks a slight change in subject for Powell, who has taken a more artistic line on these parts, with a nice ‘femme fatale’ feel to it instead of the out-and-out slapstick horror we’re used to seeing from this series.

The art itself in the bok is nothing short of beautiful, with high level of restraint used when colouring, giving the book more depth and making certain scenes far more striking to the eye. Quite how Powell manages to effortlessly skip between beautiful female physique and the utterly grotesque I’ll never know.

Story wise, I’ll keep it vague, but its more of a grower than a shower, preferring to build to a climax rather than blow its load early.

One for the fans, but more than that, one for anyone that’s ever wanted to read The Goon, this is the one for you.

Rating: 5/5.

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Martin Says…

Poor Fred Paulsey, he just couldn’t take anymore. Overcome with depression, anger, and a thirst for vengeance, his final act on this mortal coil was to eat a bullet. That’s what this place does to you. Lonely Street is part of dark and twisted ecosystem, a self sustaining cycle fuelled by the negative energy of the legion lost and tortured souls who inhabit its darkest corners. It’s a lightning rod for evil, attracting all manner of monstrous entities, including a dwindling clan of ‘Priests’ hoping the curse that permeates the entire town will strengthen and sustain their kind. Fortunately, the town also has a protector, and he’s up for a fight. Welcome to the world of The Goon.

For the uninitiated, The Goon is a unique blend of action, horror, and black comedy, set within a depression era noir framework. Many of the fundamental tropes that characterise the genre are faithfully represented: an anti-intellectual, unemotional hero, who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty; duplicitous, morally bankrupt femme fatales, both alluring and dangerous in equal measure; and an imposing, unforgiving urban environment, its streets awash with disaffected souls, seedy bars, and shady back alleys.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about this book is that it’s a one man show. Eric Powell takes on writing and art duties and deals expertly with both disciplines. The story captures your imagination immediately, and Powell provides just enough background to allow new readers to immerse themselves, whilst continually hinting at much larger narrative. The art on display is sensational from cover to cover, featuring a combination of watercolours and sketchy pencils accentuated by occasional flashes of vibrant colour, coupled with exceptional character conceptualisation.

Comics don’t come much better than this. A unique idea skilfully communicated though authentic dialogue, and stunning artwork. Superb!

Rating: 5/5.