The Goon gives me a weird sort of joy that I have previously experienced to different degrees with projects like Barry Ween, Battle Pope and Rex Mantooth. It's such an odd concept, done with exquisite artistry by a talent who I was previously unfamiliar with, that it both took me by surprise and tickled me in all the right places. Powell's creation is one of lunatic imagination and borderline non sequitur exposition, and it's not for those who spend all of their time in the left brain, since there are elements here that seem random, thrown in for gags. For that matter, the whole concept, a super-strong circus freak who fights zombies, is on the weird side. But Powell makes it work, not just because of the likably gruff characterization of the Goon or his loud-mouthed, over-enthusiastic sidekick Franky but because of Powell's beautiful and evocative artwork.
Dark Horse picked up The Goon after a self-published run, which leads to the obvious question: Is this first issue accessible to those who haven't read the previous stories? Yes, insomuch as you can call The Goon accessible. Really, you have to take on faith the zombies, talking spiders, cannibalistic hobos and... uh... spontaneously combusting orangutans. It's possible that those who have read the previous series may have a bit more of a grounding in the hows and whys of these things, but it really doesn't matter in terms of enjoying this issue. Powell does open up with an origin sequence for The Goon and his arch-enemy, which gets everybody, old readers and new, on pretty much the same footing.
The origin sequences are done with a sort of old-homey Waylon Jennings in The Dukes of Hazzard narration and twisted humor that both delivers crucial information and sets up the general tone of the book. Once the intros are over, the book just starts rolling and keeps rolling on until the end. This isn't just a humor book, it's an action book, and Powell has plenty of fun with the Goon and Franky fighting, shooting and blowing stuff up. There are elements of humor from a variety of styles in the work, ranging from George Romero to EC Comics to a heaping handful of Looney Tunes, and Powell isn't above the occasional pop-culture reference either, with the King of the Hobos strongly resembling pop folk legend Bob Dylan in appearance and speech.
While the story and characters are entertaining enough, it's Powell's artwork that also draws the eye. There's a great mixture of approach here, with The Goon, Houstus Grave and many of the other characters boasting deep and rich designs alongside fairly simple characters like Franky or effective and sparse special effects and action shots. Basically, this is top-notch work, with solid comic timing, imaginative design and fast-moving and gripping action. Powell, along with coloring assistants Robin Powell and Barry Gregory, serve up a visual delight as well as a fun read.
After reading this first issue, I can see why Dark Horse decided to pick up Powell's self-published treasure for wider distribution. The concept is certainly original, the talent is clear and the sense of humor and skewed perspective that drives the book is refreshing and inviting. The Goon is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, even if they are spontaneously combusting.
