Goon Versus Ninja

Goon Versus Ninja

Posted by Brian • May 12, 2017

Original Release Date: September 11, 2012

I think my favorite thing about this page, other than the fact that it's a cool action shot, is the eclectic variety of weapons used by the goons. There's a spear, a big knife, a board with a nail in it, one of those shock sticks with the bayonet that all of Jabba the Hutt's skiff guards had, and one of those things Kirk and Spock fought with in the Star Trek episode, "Amok Time." I wanted to get the idea across that the Hired Goon Association draws from a wide range of people and skills, and is far less structured and disciplined than the Ninja Union. In contrast, you'll see that the ninja all dress the same and use a more focused variety of weapons.

I remember that drawing this page left me full of adrenaline and excitement, which I hope is a sign that the last handful of pages do a good job of building up tension to this point. It gets released here as the ninja and goons clash, and it feels really good!

The only thing on this page that I think under-delivers is the fight between Stu and the head goon in the foreground of the bottom panel. The first panel delivers a strong start to their fight, but the movement doesn't follow through in panel two. It kind of just looks like they are standing across from one another with weapons at the ready, but all the momentum has been sucked out of them. I just rushed it; I wish I had taken the time to go back and refine their stances to better convey that they are struggling against one another.