Mike Isenberg recommends Big Trouble in Little China #1
John Carpenter‘s film formula is one that a lot of comic creators could learn from. His flicks tend to take cheesy B-movie premises, and then execute them with high production values, a talented cast, a good script, and a clear love of the source material; the end result is usually a film that replaces cheese with charm while still reveling in everything that was just plain fun and exciting about the original idea.
It’s a formula that translates so well to comics that many of Carpenter’s movies have actually felt like comic books. Chief among these has to be 1986’s zany supernatural martial-arts action flick Big Trouble in Little China. Apparently someone at BOOM! must have thought so as well, as they’ve just released issue #1 of a new comic based on that film.
Big Trouble In Little China #1—written by Carpenter & Eric Powell with art by Brian Churilla (brianchurilla)—picks up exactly where the movie left off 28 years ago; page one actually opens with protagonist Jack Burton’s closing monologue from the film.
If you haven’t seen the film, no need to worry; everything you need to know is explained as the comic progresses. But also, why haven’t you seen the film? Go see it. It’s hilariously fun. And the same sort of fun comes across on every page of this comic. Jack Burton (played by Kurt Russell in the film) is a charmingly bumbling hero, putting on a tough facade to hide the fact that he’s terrified, inept, and in way over his head.
This book really does everything right. The characters, the art, the humor, the action, and the dialogue all join together for an incredibly fun read. Even if you haven’t seen the film, I can totally recommend this comic. And if you’re a fan of the movie, you need to pick this up.
[Read Big Trouble in Little China #1]
For fans of: action, supernatural, martial arts, Kurt Russell
Mike Isenberg is an Associate Production Coordinator at comiXology, and the co-writer of FIRST LAW OF MAD SCIENCE. He lives in Harlem with his cats, TESLA AND EDISON
