Where the Devil Can’t, There Will Be Sends – review of the comic book “The Goon”, vol. 5

Superhero comics? Predictable storylines? Standard heroes? Eric Powell in his series The Goon tells them an emphatic no!

Eric Powell with his Thug two decades ago broke into the comic book charts. Their ruthless, humorous enumeration of the flaws of the genre won the sympathy of thousands of fans around the world. The formula of dark horror combined with the theme of noirand a gangster story, it turned out to be extremely receptive and allowed to create a work that oscillated between an ambitious and kitsch. The title Goon is a gangster who controls his city with a hard hand, while caring for the welfare of its inhabitants. Almost every day he fights with a gang of the undead or a swarm of other monsters attacking defenseless inhabitants. This strong scarred villain has earned the respect even of those he exploits. But is it enough to win against the black clouds gathering in the sky?

What’s up in the dark city?

In the latest, last volume of the collective edition, the atmosphere of history changes visibly. From a crazy comedy using elements of horror, it turns into a drama. The emotions and past of the characters are in the foreground. Their suffering, hitherto hidden behind the facade of duties, leads to breakdown and conflicts. Will the Goon, who has to meet not only the most powerful magicians in the world, but also his broken heart, be able to resist the dark forces? You will find out from the latest album. In addition, you will also find here a plethora of short stories – both serious and mocking, created by other authors in honor of Powell’s achievements.

It’s safe to say that The Goonit surprises to the very end – the change of formula in the last chapters is so unexpected that it could be expected from such a perverse creator. For Powell from the very beginning of his history showed that in addition to amusing and moving readers, his main goal is to surprise them. Non-standard solutions, demolishing the fourth wall and constantly changing climate and subject matter are the features that distinguish this comic from the others. The author did not intend to create a schematic and average work, only the publisher’s efforts sometimes resulted in him softening the tone and the comic book did not become too iconoclastic. Shocking stories are common on the European market, however, in the American reality – especially considering the few largest publishers – it is (or at least two decades ago it was) an unusual situation. The comics weren’t meant to be thought-provoking, they were just meant to entertain chatter. Powell has shown that both goals can be achieved at the same time.

Jak wygląda przeciętny Zbir?

Pod względem graficznym seria również rozwija się niemal z zeszytu na zeszyt. Coraz bardziej klimatyczne rysunki Powella zasilanego niekiedy talentem innych grafików oraz kolorystów idealnie wpasowują się w mroczny klimat końcówki historii. Pierwsze tomy tworzone były za pomocą wyrazistej, wyolbrzymiającej niektóre elementy kreski, teraz natomiast przyszedł czas na niemal malarskie wykończenie, dodające historii uczucia ulotności. Świetnie współgra to z coraz bardziej emocjonalnym przekazem. Wszystko to podkreślone przez polską edycję – gruby tom wydany na wysokiej jakości papierze i z takim też drukiem, z twardą oprawą i kilkudziesięcioma stronami dodatków – to wszystko sprawia, że seria będzie ozdobą każdej półki.

Czy warto?

The Goon to seria niestandardowa, głównie dla czytelników, którzy lubią przekraczanie granic. Ten cykl nie tylko trudno zakwalifikować do konkretnego gatunku, ale również niełatwo zadecydować, czy daje więcej powodów do myślenia czy jednak częściej wywołuje uśmiech na twarzy. Można zatem stwierdzić, że Eric Powell stworzył komiks wyróżniający się z morza innych i który swoją oryginalnością pokazuje, że nawet w Stanach Zjednoczonych i tak zwanym mainstreamie można stworzyć dzieła niecodzienne.