Shawn’s Reviews – September 28, 2012
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HAPPY #1
Image Comics
Written by Grant Morrison
Illustrated by Darick Robertson
This new mini-series by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson made me happy! (Pun totally intended!) Nick Sax is a bit of a bastard gunning for some mob guys, and he gets them all into the same area by turning the tables on them. He kills the lot of them (after saving a prostitute from a situation I still cannot erase from my brain), but has the tables turned on him by the powers-that-be. Cops and a mysterious crime boss want a password they think Nick knows, and soon he finds himself trying to escape both sides of the law. The problem is since he was taken into the hospital he is hallucinating a blue, cartoon unicorn. And the damn thing won’t shut up!
The first half of this book felt like a straight up crime comic that anyone from Brubaker, Ellis, or Rucka could have written. Then Morrison brings in his mad ideas and the issue almost becomes hypnotic in the way it grabs your attention and it ultimately leaves you needing the next issue to find out what happens! It might be a set up issue, but it is one of the craziest setups I have read in awhile!
Robertson’s art is some of his absolute best. His pacing is perfect, the action bloody, the facial expressions are amazing, and his blue, cartoon unicorn is so funny looking it should be on a T-shirt and sold to the masses. It is so out of place in this story, yet works better than I could have imagined.
Where will this series go from here? Who cares? I just want more conversations between a man and his unicorn before he starts filling some bad guys full of lead! I am curious just how crazy the next issue will be and I cannot wait to find out.
FINAL WORD: Morrison and Robertson should make more comics together because this one was fantastic!
RACHEL RISING #11
Abstract Studio
Written & Illustrated by Terry Moore
Terry Moore has reinvented himself so very well in this last five years or so. His Echo series, a science fiction story with lots of human drama, was one of my favorite comics in the last decade. Rachel Rising continues Moore’s move within genres, and does so in impressive ways.
We understand Lilith’s plan. At least, we understand it as she presents it to Rachel. The truth is that even Rachel knows that Lilith is sometimes offering half-truths and a perspective that is steeped in her own agenda. Nevertheless, the plan that Lilith has for the town is horrifying and it does not look like anyone will make it out alive.
Meanwhile, a social worker meets with an untimely death, and there are definitely other players that will decide the fate of the town besides Rachel and Lilith. A police officer makes an unnerving discovery, and Rachel looks like she has been transported back to where we met her in the first issue. Those of you that remember know this is going to be a problem for her.
There was a moment some issues back where the evil affecting the Town seemed to be mysterious and vague. Although I enjoyed it I wanted the title to have more direction. A handful of issues later and the reader has a very good idea of what is going on, and unlike many revelations that often lack a dramatic punch, this issue hits the reader in the gut and makes them pay attention. The conversation between Rachel and Lilith is perfectly executed. The subplots are interesting and have me invested in how they will resolve. And the final scene is horrific and haunting.
Terry Moore not only amazes me in his ability to tell a story through his art and words, but the way he can switch between genres and still make being an expert comic book storyteller look easy.
FINAL WORD: Best comic I read all week. True Story.
THE GOON #42
Dark Horse
Written & Illustrated by Eric Powell
The Zombie Priest is sending the Goon all kinds of warnings as a deadlier evil approaches the city. One of these warnings blows up Goon’s bedroom and he has to go out in Franky’s clothes, which is definitely good for a laugh or two. Meanwhile, Sullivan is ready to fix a fight with some witchcraft, but unfortunately for him fixing the fight would lighten the Goon’s wallet and the Goon does not like it when someone does that.
Between last issue and this one Eric Powell is definitely building up the suspense of this approaching evil that Goon and Franky will eventually have to face. I appreciate the way he does this while also telling good one-shot stories like this one. I love the Goon and his twisted, monstrous world. This issue might not be quite as good as the last one where we got a character study of the Zombie Priest, but it is still great fun.
If you have never tried Eric Powell’s The Goon I highly recommend it. There are plenty of collections at the store and it is one of my favorite comics coming out every month. I wish there were more titles on the stands like this one. I love comics owned by the creators, turning out great stories all the time, and offering a variety of stories within their given setting. The Goon is fun, dark, often violent, sometimes grotesque, and extremely well done. You cannot ask for more from a comic series!
FINAL WORD: Another good issue hinting at a bigger story to come!
-SJD
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I agree with you and Happy and Rachel Rising, both were great this week and Happy was my best of the week. Goon actually fell a little flat for me as I thought this issue was too much set up and not enough of a story. My expectations for Goon are extraordinarily high so when an issue is only good, it is not good enough.
Still the O’s have 90 wins and the Ravens are 3-1, so life is good.
I went to the game last night and am going again tonight. FEAR THE BIRD.
I could see your problem with the Goon, but I still love the book as a whole. So disappointed with the DC #0 issues for the most part, with a couple of exceptions. You were right, I’m not sure DC really had enough of a plan for this relaunch.
I also liked my usual go-to books like American Vampire, Invincible, etc.