“Joe Golem: Occult Detective” is back, and this time it’s an adaptation of the original novel that first introduced us to the characters we love.
Written by Mike Mignola and Christopher GoldenCover by Dave Palumbo
Illustrated by Peter Bergting
Colored by Michelle Madsen
Lettered by Clem RobinsA psychic medium is captured by a crazed scientist desperate to find an occult object that will connect him to worlds beyond the veil, and paranormal investigator Simon Church and his hardy detective race to find the artifact with the help of the medium’s assistant before its supernatural side effects can destroy the city. But another mystery looms larger than ever, as the occult detective searches for answers about his real identity and a past that’s been kept secret for so long.
Mark Tweedale: This is it! The comic’s caught up with the original novel, kicking off a ten-issue adaptation. As a reminder, I’ve read the novel, Chris hasn’t, so we’re both coming from very different places for this review. If you haven’t read the novel, you needn’t worry; this is going to be a spoiler-free review.
I’m very curious how you found ‘The Drowning City’ #1, Chris. What’s your initial impression so far?
Christopher Lewis: I liked the issue, but found it is very different than what I am used to seeing. The first ten issues of the series were very intimate stories that allowed us to really understand the enigma that is Joe, and also learn more about Church and Cocteau. ‘The Drowning City’ hits the ground running and seems to focus on new characters.
Mark: Oh yeah, there’s a definite change of pace.
Mark: Your description that it “hits the ground running” is certainly accurate. This isn’t a story where we introduce Joe walking on his way to a date. Joe, Molly, and Felix are all introduced through action set pieces, which Peter Bergting brought to life with such vibrant energy. The thing is, Joe Golem and the Drowning City was my first introduction to Joe Golem’s world, and the characters of the novel feel so essential to that world. When the comics started, certain characters weren’t in it yet, which made the series feel kind of half formed to me. With this miniseries, now that Felix and Molly have shown up, all the pieces are set on the table.
I’ve only read Joe Golem and the Drowning City once, back when it first came out, so my memory of the prose is very hazy now, but that’s a good thing. I want to experience the comic on its own terms, not tut and finger wag when it doesn’t fit my idea of what the adaptation should be like. That said, Bergting’s got his work cut out for him on this arc, because this story’s lived in my head for so long. So far he’s done nothing but impress though.
Chris: I am enjoying Bergting’s art too. I have to admit that I have been so used to Patric Reynolds’s art on this series that I was a little apprehensive for Bergting to come on, and am happy that my apprehension was unfounded. Additionally, Michelle Madsen is killing it. She is using a more vibrant color palette than what has been used in the past. This complemented with Bergting’s art gives the story a more defined essence than in previous issues, which makes sense as this being an adaptation of a novel.
Mark: My favorite scene from the original novel just happens to be something that’s very much in Bergting’s wheelhouse, so even though I was sorry to see Reynolds leave the series, I couldn’t help but be excited about the prospect of Bergting drawing that scene. He’s another one of those artists Mignola works with that’s good at referencing other artists’ work on these comics. I think he’ll be up to the task of referencing Reynolds (or perhaps even Ben Stenbeck) when he needs to.
Continued belowActually, there was a moment in this issue with Cocteau where this ability popped up. It’s a simple moment, when Cocteau looks into a window and his reflection looks like the version of Cocteau drawn by Mike Mignola in the prose novel. Bergting’s artwork has a great deal more lines than Mignola’s but the overall shape is the same, so he uses the reflection to reduce the lines back to the point that the reflection resembles Mignola’s take on the character. I’m not even sure this is deliberate, but I like to think it was.
Right: Peter Bergting's Cocteau
Chris: That’s cool, and it makes me want to read the book. Do you have any other insights when comparing the comic to the prose?
Mark: There are some moments from the prose novel where the point of change occurs inside a character’s head. Externally nothing changes, but a character’s motivation or perception or understanding shifts. I think this is going to be the trickiest stuff to adapt. In the opening scene of ‘The Drowning City’ we have a moment like this. The scene is introduced as a nightmare, but the moment of change comes in how we understand Felix’s perception of this event. He knows this is real; he knows that somehow he was a ghost.
And Golden tackled it by introducing an omniscient narrator, an entirely new storytelling device for the “Joe Golem” comics. I’m generally not a big fan of narrators in comics, but when it’s done right—and it’s done right here—it can be a powerful tool to generate mood, to move story swiftly forward, and to generate contrast between image and text… all of which Golden does in the opening pages.
Chris, since you’ve only read the comics, I’m curious what you think of Felix, because unlike in the novel, in the comics this isn’t the first time you’re meeting him. He first showed up in ‘Flesh and Blood’ as one of Mr. Church’s persons of interest.
Chris: I actually never put it together that we were introduced to Felix in ‘Flesh and Blood.’ I remember the scene you are referring to, and at that time I had thought that individual would become important at some time in the future, which now makes sense.
All and all, my thoughts on Felix are that he is a good and simple man. He has had some traumatic events in his childhood that I am guessing have left him with his abilities, but other than that I have no other thoughts. He obviously is important to this story, so my interest is piqued to learn more about him. The person I am really interested in is Molly. How she got to be in Felix’s service and why she cares so much about taking care of him. Based on how she handles herself, I see her and Joe getting along fabulously.
Mark: *Bites tongue* I’m not saying anything. You want to grade this one?
Chris: I am going to give this one a 7. It’s a strong first issue in this new chapter of “Joe Golem,” and Bergting and Madsen are killing it. Can’t wait for the next issue to learn more about Felix and Molly.
Mark: I going to give it an 8. This was an absolute pleasure.
Final verdict: 7.5 – A strong opening which should satisfy fans of the original novel and fans of the comic series.
