The Goon #7

Dark Horse Comics

Writers/Pencils: Eric Powell and Mike Mignola

Colors: Dave Stewart, Robin Powell, Ben Cocke, Barry Gregory

at least we get to see Mignola draw zombies.

Why doesn’t Eric Powell stick to drawing? He’s an amazing artist. He imbues every character he draws with the same gutsy, visceral hutzpah old pulp fiction used to have. The one problem: he’s not the world’s best writer. Sure, the idea behind The Goon is intriguing, but the plotline is as directionless as an ADHD kindergartner hopped up on snickers.

The Goon #7 features Hellboy, in a visually lush crossover issue that fails to address the similarities the characters have. HB sustains a sharp blow to the head, which throws him into Goon world, and proceeds to feel out of place until another sharp blow sends him back to Dave Stewart land.

Hate to say it, but I was underwhelmed by this issue. Sure, the art’s beautiful, but the story is nondescript and uninteresting. It’s so nondescript, in fact, that there’s nothing in particular to complain about. How frus-tur-at-ing.

At the same time, I did get to see Eric Powell’s rendition of octopi tied to hot air balloons—awesome. Friggin awesome.

Worth the money? Not for six dollars it isn’t, and it’ll probably be that much at your comic store, too.