Goon’s been running strong since 1999, but it may have gone under your radar.  This bi monthly series has everything a growing boy needs, zombies, crime syndicates, foxy dames, noir language and cartoony violence.  If you’ve never bothered to pick this series up in its ten year run, the Chinatown Hardcover is a great place to start.

Chinatown tells the story of Goon’s lackluster love life and how he came to be the tragic hero we see in the current pulp run.  The story is divided, half taking place in the past the other half in the current Goon world.  We learn what happened in Chinatown that scarred Goon forever, and how that compares with our current Goon.

Goon is an odd name to give to the character, but it’s a name that suits him well.  Powell’s Goon is a buff stocky guy with a cap over his eyes.  Your typical lummox or oaf.  He’s smarter than the average strong man, but being a bruiser is part of what makes Goon who he is.  That brawler mentality has helped him claim territories and intimidate thugs attempting to cash in when Goon isn’t looking.

This book is mostly good clean fun.  There are a few violent scenes and some dicey language, but the book is mostly safe for all ages.  This is great because the light heartedness of this tale makes the darker under current even better.  At the end of this book, you will be moved and you may think parts of the story played out unfairly for Goon, but you will have laughed and loved enough to not be too beat up about it.

The wet look to Powell’s art contributes to a cartoony world that you can really step into.  One of the great things about Chinatown is the way it draws you into the world.  The voices come out so clearly, you can smell the settings and a big frothy beer will look just as appetizing to you as it does the other shady characters that stalk the panels of this book.

There are hardly words on the page to cloud you from this beautiful world, but what is there tells a tragic story.  The intrigue of the world, coupled with some very memorable panels (Powell’s favorite being the Goon freaking out in front of a mirror) will make this book a great edition to any collector’s shelf.

I’m Rich, and Comics make me punch drunk.

-Richard Bashara

Rich@ComicImpact.com