Broken Frontier

Another comedic chapter in the saga of The Goon.

Is it possible for a writer to flip one the United States’ most tragic factory accidents on its head and turn it into comedic gold?  Eric Powell, writer of The Goon, sure can; by taking equal parts Triangle Shirtwaist disaster, demonic magic, pentagrams, and worker strife, The Goon #37 reads like a well-oiled machine churning out hilarious after hilarious moment.

The Goon #37 touches on several worker’s rights issues that are just as relevant today as they were a century ago, though the inclusion of The Goon himself surely makes the daily strife of the worker all the more entertaining to read.  Though #37 is heavily steeped in politics both old and new, Powell keeps the tone light and fun, allowing readers to digest the content while being treated to another of The Goon’s ridiculous adventures about town.  While fulfilling his role as a champion of the oppressed, this unlikely public hero serves the women of the Pentagram Girdle Factory by battling corrupt police officers, greedy industry tycoons, and most excitingly “de-monic go-rillas” conjured into existence by the black magician Mr. Corpus.

The Goon consistently bombards readers with generous amounts of black humor, brought to life by Powell’s exaggerated art style.  Throughout the entirety of #37 there are numerous examples of Powell’s art adding to the already ludicrous and comical story, but one particularly humorous moment spotlights two characters as they jump into a Looney Tunes-esque squabble over contaminated tacos, which ignites the whole story from there on.

For longtime readers of The Goon or fans of black comedy in general, The Goon #37 hits all the beats one would expect from a story of this type.  Eric Powell’s take on the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire is not only another humorous chapter in the story of The Goon, but a pertinent, well-timed, and small jab at the country’s current political discussion.  Whether you have read The Goon or not, this issue will certainly satisfy all of your comedic desires.