This is Eric Powell’s long-running cult character, the Goon, in his first original graphic novel. It tells his dark and sorrowful origin story, from his carnival childhood to his war with the Triads in Chinatown and the lost love that haunts him.

The Goon is a prohibition-era crime family enforcer. Done in a stylistic homage to early comics, it mixes gangster conventions with otherworldly villains and black humor.

It’s a completely absorbing read, but perhaps even more impressive is the artwork, which just pops of the page. Truly some of the finest illustrating in comics. Buy this now.

Grade: A

The Goon: Chinatown and the Mystery of Mr. Wicker is currently available.