Big Trouble In Little China: Old Man Jack #1 review: All in the reflexes
By Alex Widen
The world has been transformed by more big trouble from Little China. Yet can old man Jack Burton save the day, or ruin it?
Big Trouble In Little China: Old Man Jack #1
Writers: John Carpenter & Anthony Burch
Artist: Jorge Corona
Colorist: Gabriel Cassata
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Out of all of the films that John Carpenter has directed, 1986’s Big Trouble In Little China may have the biggest cult following. It was his third collaboration with Kurt Russell and while it may have bombed at the box office, it thrived via home video and TV rebroadcasts. A supernatural action comedy, it sees hapless trucker Jack Burton stumble into a mystical martial arts world alongside his best pal Wang Chi. He helps save Wang’s fiance and defeat the evil Lo Pan, mostly by accident rather than the skills he also professes to have.
Image by BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios obtained the license to the franchise, and Carpenter returned to co-write a year’s worth of stories alongside Eric Powell in 2014. Fred Van Lente later took over on scripting duties, and the series had a satisfying 25 issue run. Greg Pak went on to head a spectacular crossover between this and Carpenter’s other franchise, Escape From New York. Jack Burton’s spectacular team-up with Snake Plissken ended this past March. Now, Carpenter and Jack are back for more!
Image by BOOM! Studios
Jack Is Older yet Not Any Wiser!
Previous Big Trouble In Little China comics were either set in 1986 or utilized magic and/or time travel to keep Jack Burton in his prime. This time, presumably inspired in part by Marvel’s Old Man Logan, the story is set in modern day with Burton aged in real time. That means the former driver of the Pork Chop Express is now on social security and talking even more about the glory days. He’s retired and in a place he calls “heaven,” with sleazy porno joints, greasy sandwiches, and beer.
Image by BOOM! Studios
Yet not everything is as it seems. Jack’s “heaven” is isolated, surrounded by fire, and he’s talking to a disconnected mic. It seems like in the recent past, some aforementioned incident allowed the eastern demon Ching Dai to conquer Earth. As usual, Jack was in the midst of it and as usual, he’s bungled everything. As a reward, or ironic punishment, Burton has been “rewarded” with a small area that tends to his wishes, except for any human contact. Hence, he may be going a bit mad.
Image by BOOM! Studios
Therefore, when a mysterious voice is heard from the severed speaker, Jack is initially suspicious. It claims to be a young and attractive woman who is endangered by demons. Unable to ignore either his morality or loins (or both), Jack decides to jump into his big rig and head out into adventure one last time. Spouting some famous catch phrases and crossing a barrier of fire, Burtoon rolls out into the outside world, which the voice considers “the Hellpocalypse.”
Image by BOOM! Studios
This Could Probably Be the Most Annoying Afterlife Ever!
In Jack Burton’s absence, Ching Dai has merged the land of the living with that of the dead. Due to this, demons and other horrors rampage freely and those humans who have survived live in fear. Ching Dai rules from a throne of skulls in San Francisco’s Chinatown (or “little China”). The voice both mocks and encourages Jack to rescue her from one of the many hellish realms now on earth. Burton quickly jumps down a hole and finds himself greeted by a tiny demon. Yet is it a trap?
Image by BOOM! Studios
Turns out he’s now in “the hell of minor discomforts,” where the tortures include static shocks and confusing texts. Utterly unimpressed, he survives and destroys the demon due to Jack’s boorish nature. Yet as the voice explains, Jack has merely surpassed the lamest level of hell. Even worse dangers await, and Burton faces them as he usually does — clumsily! Through a comedy of errors, Jack winds up rescuing this mysterious voice. Yet is it even a woman, and could it even be his foe?
Image by BOOM! Studios
John Carpenter’s continued passion for this franchise is apparent throughout this hilarious script. This time he’s joined by Anthony Burch, who may be best known as the writer of the Borderlands video game series. While Carpenter could be accused of relying on some familiar catchphrases, it’s all part of establishing the mood. They quickly establish old man Jack as a guy with a few more screws loose yet composed of the same bravado as ever. He’s haunted, yet denies these haunts.
Image by BOOM! Studios
It Wouldn’t Be Big Trouble without Another Lo Pan Appearance!
While this is a bit of a spoiler, the identity of the woman’s voice is a no-brainer. Virtually anyone familiar with the franchise could guess it was David Lo Pan. The villain is arguably as well known as Jack Burton himself. Due to this, he pops up in nearly every Big Trouble In Little China comic story. He is to the franchise what Skeletor is to He-Man & the Masters of the Universe. Due to his popular appeal as well as there being no other arch villains in the series, it seems like Lo Pan has to appear.
Image by BOOM! Studios
While the film had plenty of legitimate action, the comic books hand tended to rely more on comedy. Old Man Jack is no exception. Because there is a bit of exposition to get to, some of the gags take a few pages to develop. Carpenter and Burch take this time to reestablish Jack himself. His bluster and uncanny luck remain his most notable attributes. The “hell of minor discomforts” is also quite a gas, as is Burton’s utter crushing of it. The banter between Jack and Lo Pan is also fun.
Image by BOOM! Studios
Great Art Caps off yet Another Fun Jack Burton Adventure!
The art by Jorge Corona and Gabriel Cassata also matches the madcap tone. Ching Dai is a figure who’s never been officially depicted, yet their version is mighty and menacing. They do a great job with an older Jack, filling him with plenty of energy despite his age. The various demons all are creatively designed, and the comedic rescue in the last act thrives with their pencils and inks. Furthermore, Jack’s truck has never looked better either. Stephane Roux’s cover is also terrific.
Image by BOOM! Studios
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In conclusion, this is a hilariously entertaining start to a new Big Trouble In Little China mini series. The premise involving an “aged up” Jack is great, and the plot is as bonkers as ever. It will remain to be seen if we see older versions of the rest of the cast, such as Wang Chi, Miao Yin or Gracie Law. Egg Shen the sorcerer may also be an even bet to appear. It’s great to see John Carpenter return once again to provide another adventure for good ol’ Jack. Fans of the film should definitely give this a whirl!