The Goon Volume 14: Occasion of Revenge
by Eric Powell
There is no doubt that Eric Powell’s Goon series stands as one of the most unique comic works out there. Especially when you look at the earlier issues, Powell had managed somehow to mix horror, fantasy and comedy with a compelling story and a – what I’m going to call gangster/depression era motif. Now, more than 15 years later Occasion of Revenge finds us at a bit of a crossroads to the series. Or maybe we’re way passed that…
Sadly, the wit and playfulness which we’ve loved has become less and less prominent in the book, and it’s come to a climax in Occasion of Revenge. It’s all tragedy now with a strange sense of despair. As bad as things have always been in the Goon’s town, there was always an underlining sense of duty, doing what’s right, and the possibilities that it would bring. And you might as well have some fun while you’re getting it done. Occasion of Revenge definitely tries to tell stories but they’re all so gloomy and tragic. And how all these women can be so one-dimensional baffles me. It must explain why they all look the same.
That’s not to say there aren’t bright spots: Powell’s artwork is the best it’s ever looked and marks a high point for the series. The pages perfectly compliment the misfortune of the story. And that’s what’s really sad about Once Upon a Hard Time: it looks great, but story-wise it’s just not what we have come to expect from a great series.
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