New Lobster Johnson? That’s good!
It isn’t drawn by Tonci Zonjic. That’s bad!
It is drawn by Kevin Nowlan. That’s good!
It has less of a pulp feel than normal. That’s bad!
It has a sci-fi feel to it. That’s good!
Oh, just read our review already.
Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Illustrated by Kevin NowlanThe artist of Hellboy: Buster Oakley Gets His Wish returns for two-gun vengeance!
Someone is killing off skid row bums and dumping their corpses. The only one who can deliver justice is Hellboy’s favorite gun-blazing vigilante.
Brian: After a seemingly endless run of LoJo stories about a year or so ago, we’ve had to wait for this most recent one-shot. And, partly because of the wait, it was a pretty fun flip through a classic literary trope. What did you think, David?
David: You’re a way bigger LoJo guy than me, as he reads a lot more style than substance to me quite often, but this was a really nice book. I did have one minor problem – Mr. Podell immediately running from the police instead of trying to explain away the body in his place when he had a perfectly fine (and do I mean fine) alibi right next to him – with it, but overall, it was a fun, quick read, with really, really stellar art by Kevin Nowlan. In fact, like with most LoJo stories, the art was the highlight for me. What was the highlight for you?
Brian: Well, before I say my highlight, let me say this: I think I’ve discovered something about LoJo stories that make them fun, but also a tad bit frustrating. His stories appear to be period pieces that paint themselves into a corner, and once they’re in that corner, Lobster Johnson arrives.
Like, this is a “what if someone tried to play Dr. Frankenstein in the ’30s?” story and, when that becomes problematic, the Claw of Justice shows up! I think you could, realistically, make any story from this time period into a LoJo one with relative ease. He’s the crustacean ex machina.
This is a boon to the character, because it makes him a Zelig-type, jumping from story to story with ease. But it can also be a bit frustrating, as the character is often times the least developed or interesting thing that happens in each issue.
Does that make any sense at all?
David: Oh, absolutely. I call that the X-O Manowar Corollary. Lobster Johnson is bar none the least developed part of his own comics, but unlike the aforementioned X-O, that’s by design. I don’t think they have any interest in developing him as a character. They’re trying to accomplish with us what LoJo has done with the criminal underworld – the idea of him is every bit as frightful/remarkable as him in actuality. So yeah, I agree, but I do think it’s by design.
In most ways, it works, but at the same time it sort of gives each story a bit of formula like you said. Like every story we get from him is LoJo mad libs to a certain degree. I’m not saying this necessarily makes this book bad – because it doesn’t – but it certainly puts a cap on how good his books can ever truly be in my opinion.
Brian: Exactly – these are the comfort foods of the Mignolaverse, and while they may offer no real surprises, they do offer some fantastic art and fun sequences.
I am a huge fan of all things “Frankenstein,” and so the basic plot of this one-shot really hit home for me, and was my highlight. I think the regrowing or organs/reanimating life is still somehow a rich vein to tap into.
You mentioned the artwork – what about it worked so well for you?
David: Everything. Kevin Nowlan is an exceptional artist, from characterization to storytelling. He reminds me a lot of Eric Powell (although the influence likely is in the opposite direction), but based much more in reality. The way he tells a story gives it a fierce realism to a highly unreal storyline (even though you could sort of see things like this happening), and it gives the story a lot more weight than it would in other artist’s hands. I know you might find this blasphemous, but as much as I love Tonci Zonjic, this story HAD to be Kevin Nowlan.
Continued belowHe’s a brilliant artist, and I hope we see more from him in the LoJo world. What did you think of his work?
Brian: Well, I know who isn’t getting their “#1 Fan of Tonci Zonjic” newsletter this year!
I kid, but I sort of agree. Nowlan’s work is exceptional on just about all fronts, and his tone is a nice change from the usual. His LoJo felt more like a star from a film serial than from a pulp novel, if that distinction makes any sense. It was full of action, was visually fun to look at, and had just enough creepy to go around. I dug it.
David: Yeah, and Tonci I think is better in more atmospheric, pulp type stories, while this was very based in reality except it has elements of supernatural. I just think that’s a perfect fit for Nowlan, and I love his work generally. This was an exceptionally well drawn book.
The last thing I was curious about is whether or not you caught anything in here that may have overarching ties. I personally didn’t, but you never know how they might sneak something in here. Feel like it’s a strict one and done, or do you think there’s hidden depth here?
Brian: My only thought was that maybe some of this technology has been appropriated by various baddies in the current world of “B.P.R.D.” to create super-soldiers and/or help bring back folks from the dead. I’m no Mark Tweedale, so I can’t recall if that has been a plot point thus far, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it pop up in the future.
David: Yeah, that was the only part for me too. I racked my brain trying to think of what could benefit from what they were doing there – as they love making things covertly purposeful – but short of making Panya walk again (which isn’t really that beneficial), I had nothing.
Anything else to add before we grade this bad boy?
Brian: Not particularly. A solid, enjoyable LoJo. I give it an 8.
David: Agreed. 8 it is. Honestly, due to the nature of the book, that feels like the cap for me. That’s not bad, really, but it’s destiny is an enjoyable read that I don’t clamor for. A good spot to be in, but it just never feels like a true comic book champion for me.
Brian: Again, as we’ve said before, grading Mignolaverse works is rough, because the floor is so high. Even a sub-par Mignola book is a 6 for just about any other creator. That said, because we also know how great Mignolaverse works can be, it is hard to go much higher than an 8. We’re dealing with a very different rubric here and that can make things tricky.
David: My only addition to that is I think there is a fundamental cap on LoJo as far as being invested is concerned. It’s by design, like I said earlier, but an 8 is about as much as I feel like I am capable of enjoying these stories. This was, for all intents and purposes, a great LoJo issue, but it is what it is. I think GREAT Hellboy or B.P.R.D. work on a full spectrum, up to a 10, but LoJo isn’t that kind of book. It’s just a good time. An entertaining read. That is a great thing, but it never tries to be more than that.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – Buy
