Advance Review – Weak Visuals Drag Down Strong Story In ‘The Goddamn Tragedy’

It should surprise absolutely no one that Chris Condon has returned to writing a Western story.

Before Condon hit the comics big time writing Green Arrow and Ultimate Wolverine, he made his bones in the Western/horror/crime series That Texas Blood and the mini The Enfield Gang Massacre. Now he’s back writing a so-called graphic novella, The Goddamn Tragedy.

Condon uses one of his old standbys, a set for framing bookends, to set up the tale of Ellen and her doomed mother and father. The family crossed the country in 1846 to strike it rich in California. As you may guess from the title, they don’t all make.

One of Condon’s strengths is in delivering a story that is at one familiar and fresh. Once the family breaks from the main group of travelers and sets our on their own over the Rocky Mountains, things go predictably bad. (Dad Leo foolishly buys a map “guaranteed” to halve the length of the journey from an untrustworthy trapper.) Then he starts seeing things – or does he? Condon keeps us guessing, even after the story is over. That, of course, makes this short story memorable.

Condon seems to draw inspiration from a combination of real-life events like the Gold Rush and Donner Party as well as popular culture references – particularly The Shining. But it’s that unique combination that keeps things fresh.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Shawn Kuruneru’s artwork. Kuruneru is not big on details. Most of the faces he illustrates contain few lines. That’s an OK choice, and it suits his style. But there are several panels where he delivers little or no linework on faces at all. Most shockingly, he does that on the story’s first page. Instead of grabbing readers, Kununeru leaves them wondering whether they are looking at a preliminary version of the page that is yet to be finished.

Kununeru does redeem himself – a bit – later in the book when he brings a few new characters to life. A native American and another trapper are particularly interesting and suit themselves to his style. By then, though, it’s largely too little, too late.

Condon has again proven himself to be the modern master of spinning Western yarns. Hopefully his other projects will eventually give way so we can get some more of That Texas Blood. Until then, we have to contend with the real tragedy here – inconsistent visuals.

The Goddamn Tragedy will be available in comic book stores and digital platforms May 28, from Oni Press.