What do you think?
Rate this book
Big Trouble in Little China (Collected Editions) #1-3
Big Trouble in Little China: Legacy Edition, Book One
The authorized and in-continuity sequel to the cult hit film Big Trouble in Little China, co-written by its creator, John Carpenter, presented in a new value priced format!
Jack Burton, a macho, truck-driving adventurer, finds a stowaway demon hiding on his rig, The Pork Chop Express, but that soon becomes the least of his troubles. He helped his best friend Wang save his fiancée from the clutches of an ancient sorcerer, but now the wedding has been invaded by more evil forces with one thing on their minds—revenge against Jack Burton!
Director John Carpenter returns with Eric Powell (The Goon) and artist Brian Churilla (Secret History of D.B. Cooper) in the continuing adventures of Jack Burton, taking place mere moments after the ending to the cult-classic film. Collects Big Trouble In Little China #1-12, previously collected in Big Trouble in Little China Volumes 1-3.
Legacy Editions collect every issue of the most popular BOOM! Studios series in chronological order and in a newly designed, value priced format for the very first time
Jack Burton, a macho, truck-driving adventurer, finds a stowaway demon hiding on his rig, The Pork Chop Express, but that soon becomes the least of his troubles. He helped his best friend Wang save his fiancée from the clutches of an ancient sorcerer, but now the wedding has been invaded by more evil forces with one thing on their minds—revenge against Jack Burton!
Director John Carpenter returns with Eric Powell (The Goon) and artist Brian Churilla (Secret History of D.B. Cooper) in the continuing adventures of Jack Burton, taking place mere moments after the ending to the cult-classic film. Collects Big Trouble In Little China #1-12, previously collected in Big Trouble in Little China Volumes 1-3.
Legacy Editions collect every issue of the most popular BOOM! Studios series in chronological order and in a newly designed, value priced format for the very first time
- GenresComics
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 18, 2019
2 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Eric Powell
498 books282 followersEric Powell has contributed work on such comics titles as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Hellboy: Weird Tales, Star Wars Tales, The Incredible Hulk, Black Panther, The Avengers, The Hood, MAD Magazine, Devil Dinosaur, Swamp Thing, the Avengers, She-Hulk, the Simpsons, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell and Action Comics.
Although eking out a meager living in the comics field since 1995, Eric didn't find true success until he launched his critically acclaimed dark comedy series The Goon. The Goon was subsequently picked up by Dark Horse Comics and boasts a diehard cult following.
Although eking out a meager living in the comics field since 1995, Eric didn't find true success until he launched his critically acclaimed dark comedy series The Goon. The Goon was subsequently picked up by Dark Horse Comics and boasts a diehard cult following.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
![Profile Image for s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1735525095i%2F6431467._UX200_CR0%2C11%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 7, 2023
Everybody relax, Jack is here.
Welcome to the continuing adventures of Jack Burton and the Pork Chop Express! Co-written by John Carpenter himself, this is a fun and goofy “sequel” series that is…well, exactly what you expect. Which is a good thing. Set mere moments after the film ends, here are more zany adventures full of magic, demons, and Jack Burton bumbling his way through it all and firing off great one-liners. Is it corny? Absolutely, but that is half the charm. But does it hold up? Well, honestly, yes. Besides that, it's all in the reflexes.
‘Now, look, I know you boys are just doing your job, being hell-tormented hell-spawned demons, but I think you got the wrong guy here. I just drive a truck.’
One awesome benefit of working in a library is seeing all the cool books people read. When this came through I knew I had to give it a read as the film was a favorite of mine when I was a kid and still makes me laugh. This is a fun return to the characters, bringing all the favorites back, even Lo Pan, and giving Miao Yin more of an actual character here. Jack is still Jack, which is what everyone wants, and he does become a bit more the focus (the gag of the film is that he is actually just the side-kick, though I suppose this does center the white character even when he isn’t the real hero). This volume collects 12 issues of the Big Trouble in Little China comics (there are more that follow), which amounts to three story arc of wild adventuring and demon fighting. It’s silly, it’s fun, it’s exactly what you think its going to be and delivers.
So fans of the film, definitely give this a go! Its a good time and I think I need to track down the second volume (a third was planned but canceled). If I'm not back by dawn...call the president.
⅘
November 18, 2021
Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it."
Unlike many sequels to great films, Big Trouble in Little China Legacy Edition: Book One has two really great things going for it:
- It continues the story literally from the minute the film ends; it doesn't take place five or ten years afterward, like you often see in sequels
- It was co-written by the director of the original film, in this case the brilliant and inimitable John Carpenter
This volume collects issues #1-12 of the comic book series that forms the authorized sequel to the film, and was released by Boom! Studios. Three of these Legacy Edition books were planned, but only Book One and Book Two were published as of this writing. I have seen some posts online that say the third book was cancelled, but I cannot confirm whether this is true or not.
I'll get right to it: I absolutely loved this. Everything that made the film great is here, and in abundance: the folklore, magic, fantasy, periodic laughs at Jack's stupidity and grandiose macho statements and attitude, the whacky, over-the-top story, and of course all the great characters from the movie return as well.
I did have some minor issues with the collection. There were one or two sections throughout the collection that almost seemed incomplete. In one panel, the words "DARK FG" can be seen, written on an otherwise amorphous blob representing a group of people fighting. Did this mean "dark foreground", indicating the colour to be used in that part of the panel? Then, just four pages later, there's a pool of blood that literally has the word "BLOOD" written in it, again as if it were text added by the artist to tell the colourist what it was, so he or she could colour it properly. I've never seen anything like this left in a finished comic before. I'm only speculating on why these words were in the comic, but they definitely looked like they shouldn't be there in both cases.
The story also ends up rehashing a good chunk of the movie in the final third of the book, though there is enough subtle variation between the film and this book's rehash to keep things interesting, and the ending is definitely its own unique creation. It was very open-ended in terms of what might happen next, just like the film, and left me eager to read more of the story in Book Two.
Another thing that bothered me a bit was that Jack Burton remains a physically-toned but incongruously inept boob when it comes to fighting and being an action star throughout this story. This, of course, fits perfectly with his character in the movie, where he's billed as the main protagonist but is eventually revealed to be a comic sidekick. Despite that, I found myself wishing this continuation of the movie evolved his character a little more than it did.
Unlike Burton, Miao Yin's character evolves extensively in this book, and she speaks a lot (I don't think she spoke a single line in the entire movie, if I remember right), which I thought was great. She had a very minimal role in the movie, despite being the main focus of the entire film, so seeing her character fleshed out more and having a more important role in the continuation of the story was nice to see, and it fit perfectly in terms of feeling like something a continuation of the movie should include.
Getting back to Jack, the way Burton's body is drawn in this book doesn't entirely match the character's physique from the film, to a somewhat disorienting effect. Kurt Russell was very fit in the movie, both his upper and lower body, but for some reason the Burton of this book has a muscular upper body but thin, twiggy legs that don't look muscular at all. Maybe it was just easier to draw him that way (having to repeatedly draw a bunch of straight lines vs. a bunch of curvy lines), or maybe it was done for comedic effect? Who knows, but it was a little strange.
Overall, this is the beginning of an excellent and fitting continuation of the story from the film. It's a bit over the top at times, even compared with the movie, but it's a helluva lot of fun, and if you're a fan of the film you absolutely must read this. I mean c'mon, it's the authorized sequel, written by John Carpenter! You could wait years for the sequel film I've heard is in the works, starring The Rock, but that might never be made, and we all know that would be terrible even if it was. This might be a graphic novel, and not the second movie we all wanted, but it's the continuation of the original story as the Master of Horror intended, and penned by his own hand. What more could you ask for?
I can't wait to read Book Two of this story. Highly recommended!
Unlike many sequels to great films, Big Trouble in Little China Legacy Edition: Book One has two really great things going for it:
- It continues the story literally from the minute the film ends; it doesn't take place five or ten years afterward, like you often see in sequels
- It was co-written by the director of the original film, in this case the brilliant and inimitable John Carpenter
This volume collects issues #1-12 of the comic book series that forms the authorized sequel to the film, and was released by Boom! Studios. Three of these Legacy Edition books were planned, but only Book One and Book Two were published as of this writing. I have seen some posts online that say the third book was cancelled, but I cannot confirm whether this is true or not.
I'll get right to it: I absolutely loved this. Everything that made the film great is here, and in abundance: the folklore, magic, fantasy, periodic laughs at Jack's stupidity and grandiose macho statements and attitude, the whacky, over-the-top story, and of course all the great characters from the movie return as well.
I did have some minor issues with the collection. There were one or two sections throughout the collection that almost seemed incomplete. In one panel, the words "DARK FG" can be seen, written on an otherwise amorphous blob representing a group of people fighting. Did this mean "dark foreground", indicating the colour to be used in that part of the panel? Then, just four pages later, there's a pool of blood that literally has the word "BLOOD" written in it, again as if it were text added by the artist to tell the colourist what it was, so he or she could colour it properly. I've never seen anything like this left in a finished comic before. I'm only speculating on why these words were in the comic, but they definitely looked like they shouldn't be there in both cases.
The story also ends up rehashing a good chunk of the movie in the final third of the book, though there is enough subtle variation between the film and this book's rehash to keep things interesting, and the ending is definitely its own unique creation. It was very open-ended in terms of what might happen next, just like the film, and left me eager to read more of the story in Book Two.
Another thing that bothered me a bit was that Jack Burton remains a physically-toned but incongruously inept boob when it comes to fighting and being an action star throughout this story. This, of course, fits perfectly with his character in the movie, where he's billed as the main protagonist but is eventually revealed to be a comic sidekick. Despite that, I found myself wishing this continuation of the movie evolved his character a little more than it did.
Unlike Burton, Miao Yin's character evolves extensively in this book, and she speaks a lot (I don't think she spoke a single line in the entire movie, if I remember right), which I thought was great. She had a very minimal role in the movie, despite being the main focus of the entire film, so seeing her character fleshed out more and having a more important role in the continuation of the story was nice to see, and it fit perfectly in terms of feeling like something a continuation of the movie should include.
Getting back to Jack, the way Burton's body is drawn in this book doesn't entirely match the character's physique from the film, to a somewhat disorienting effect. Kurt Russell was very fit in the movie, both his upper and lower body, but for some reason the Burton of this book has a muscular upper body but thin, twiggy legs that don't look muscular at all. Maybe it was just easier to draw him that way (having to repeatedly draw a bunch of straight lines vs. a bunch of curvy lines), or maybe it was done for comedic effect? Who knows, but it was a little strange.
Overall, this is the beginning of an excellent and fitting continuation of the story from the film. It's a bit over the top at times, even compared with the movie, but it's a helluva lot of fun, and if you're a fan of the film you absolutely must read this. I mean c'mon, it's the authorized sequel, written by John Carpenter! You could wait years for the sequel film I've heard is in the works, starring The Rock, but that might never be made, and we all know that would be terrible even if it was. This might be a graphic novel, and not the second movie we all wanted, but it's the continuation of the original story as the Master of Horror intended, and penned by his own hand. What more could you ask for?
I can't wait to read Book Two of this story. Highly recommended!
August 10, 2020
Absurdly entertaining.
October 5, 2019
The character dialogue was really what made this graphic novel. Jack manages to churn out many a one-liner (a staple from the movie) and they're pretty darn funny! Egg Shen and "Davey" Lo Pan have some really great lines as well!
But, the story was so-so to be honest - sort of a quasi rehashing of the Lo Pan storyline from the movie even though this is a canonical sequel to it. Lo Pan's spirit is back and trying to wed the girl with the jade eyes again so he can make his body flesh and enjoy all the earthly pleasures. Hmm...sounds familiar! Lots of time is spent in the many Chinese hells where we meet a myriad of overly cartoony characters that unfortunately aren't all that interesting and don't really add much to the story. I wish they spent time developing quality characters rather than padding panels with these fluff monsters.
I wanted to like this more than I did, but maybe that was my fault for seeing John Carpenter's name in the credits and getting my hopes up a little too high. This is only 1/3 of the three planned Legacy Edition volumes to span the series that will include the Old Man Jack storyline so it's a little early to write this property off. Personally, I'm going to pick up the rest of the volumes as they are released to see if the story picks up later on.
If your a B.T.i.L.C fan and have a few extra bills burning a hole in your wallet, I say pick it up, but otherwise you won't be missing out on much if you decide to skip this one.
But, the story was so-so to be honest - sort of a quasi rehashing of the Lo Pan storyline from the movie even though this is a canonical sequel to it. Lo Pan's spirit is back and trying to wed the girl with the jade eyes again so he can make his body flesh and enjoy all the earthly pleasures. Hmm...sounds familiar! Lots of time is spent in the many Chinese hells where we meet a myriad of overly cartoony characters that unfortunately aren't all that interesting and don't really add much to the story. I wish they spent time developing quality characters rather than padding panels with these fluff monsters.
I wanted to like this more than I did, but maybe that was my fault for seeing John Carpenter's name in the credits and getting my hopes up a little too high. This is only 1/3 of the three planned Legacy Edition volumes to span the series that will include the Old Man Jack storyline so it's a little early to write this property off. Personally, I'm going to pick up the rest of the volumes as they are released to see if the story picks up later on.
If your a B.T.i.L.C fan and have a few extra bills burning a hole in your wallet, I say pick it up, but otherwise you won't be missing out on much if you decide to skip this one.
September 21, 2020
Rarely does a book make me laugh out loud, and this one managed to keep it up all the way through.
5/5
5/5
August 16, 2019
Collects Big Trouble In Little China #1-12, previously collected in Big Trouble in Little China Volumes 1-3.
…
Big Trouble in Little China Vol. 1: The Hell of the Midnight Road & The Ghosts of Storms
Probably best described as Dumb Fun. And it is Fun!
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #1
Quotes:
-“China is here”
-“Pete!”
-“The Black Road?! Few have travelled it and lived to tell the tale!” –
Jack Burton to Qiang Wu, warrior sorcerer - “Sister, challenge accepted.”
..
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #2
“Have ya paid your dues, Jack?”
“Touching. Ever tell your therapist that story?” – Jack
“Pete .. breathe the other way, will ya. You smell like sauerkraut and a night of bad decisions.”
..
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #3
“Give me your best shot, pal, I can take it.”
“Challenge me to the world’s saddest foot race? No offense, lady, but you ain’t catchin’ nobody on them sausage legs.”
..
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #4
“I was born ready.”
“My children will sing songs of your mercy and your demon which did not eat my face.”
..
..
Big Trouble in Little China – Volume 2: The Return of Lo Pan & How Jack Burton Became King of the Lords of Death
He’s off again!
Chapter One:
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #5
“This is gonna take crackerjack timing, Wang”
Pete turns on Jack, “PETE?! The truck stop casinos?! The jerky?! The jerky fart smelling contests?! Did it mean nothing?! DID IT MEAN NOTHING?!”
..
Chapter Two:
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #6
“Everybody relax, I’m here.”
“Look fellas, hygiene differences aside, aren’t we all Americans?” – Jack
“And by God, don’t ever, ever pick up a hitchhiker that looks like an extra-terrestrial dressed like Hank Williams!” – old guy
“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do that.” – Jack
“You best not, boy, if you value your hide!”
..
Chapter Three
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #7
“Magic … the darkest magic.”
“Now. It’d be unchristian to throw all you boys down there to fight in pig filth at once..” – Sheriff
..
Chapter Four
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #8
‘The legendary San Francisco mystic Kung Fu showdown and knife fight of 1986 was a legendary battle of legend.’
..
..
Big Trouble in Little China – Volume 3: Jack Burton in the Hell of No Return
Chapter One
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #9
“If we’re not back by dawn .. call the president.”
“Now, look, I know you boys are just doing your job, being hell-tormented hell-spawned demons, but I think you got the wrong guy here. I just drive a truck.” - Jack
..
Chapter Two
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #10
“A bet’s a bet. Now, how do I get out of here?!” – Jack
“(sigh) Just go two miles that way and take a left at the flayed torso of Hitler. There’s a sign that says, ‘No Exit’ .. but it’s the exit.”
..
Chapter Three
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #11
Jack and Lo Pan are forced to wash the dishes after destroying the tavern.
“For somebody bent on world domination you really take no pride in your work, Davey!”
..
Chapter Four
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #12
Slinky: “We’re pals. Never had a pal before. Hell isn’t really a place to build lasting relationships, so I’m not taking this one for granted.”
..
…
Big Trouble in Little China Vol. 1: The Hell of the Midnight Road & The Ghosts of Storms
Probably best described as Dumb Fun. And it is Fun!
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #1
Quotes:
-“China is here”
-“Pete!”
-“The Black Road?! Few have travelled it and lived to tell the tale!” –
Jack Burton to Qiang Wu, warrior sorcerer - “Sister, challenge accepted.”
..
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #2
“Have ya paid your dues, Jack?”
“Touching. Ever tell your therapist that story?” – Jack
“Pete .. breathe the other way, will ya. You smell like sauerkraut and a night of bad decisions.”
..
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #3
“Give me your best shot, pal, I can take it.”
“Challenge me to the world’s saddest foot race? No offense, lady, but you ain’t catchin’ nobody on them sausage legs.”
..
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #4
“I was born ready.”
“My children will sing songs of your mercy and your demon which did not eat my face.”
..
..
Big Trouble in Little China – Volume 2: The Return of Lo Pan & How Jack Burton Became King of the Lords of Death
He’s off again!
Chapter One:
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #5
“This is gonna take crackerjack timing, Wang”
Pete turns on Jack, “PETE?! The truck stop casinos?! The jerky?! The jerky fart smelling contests?! Did it mean nothing?! DID IT MEAN NOTHING?!”
..
Chapter Two:
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #6
“Everybody relax, I’m here.”
“Look fellas, hygiene differences aside, aren’t we all Americans?” – Jack
“And by God, don’t ever, ever pick up a hitchhiker that looks like an extra-terrestrial dressed like Hank Williams!” – old guy
“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do that.” – Jack
“You best not, boy, if you value your hide!”
..
Chapter Three
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #7
“Magic … the darkest magic.”
“Now. It’d be unchristian to throw all you boys down there to fight in pig filth at once..” – Sheriff
..
Chapter Four
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #8
‘The legendary San Francisco mystic Kung Fu showdown and knife fight of 1986 was a legendary battle of legend.’
..
..
Big Trouble in Little China – Volume 3: Jack Burton in the Hell of No Return
Chapter One
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #9
“If we’re not back by dawn .. call the president.”
“Now, look, I know you boys are just doing your job, being hell-tormented hell-spawned demons, but I think you got the wrong guy here. I just drive a truck.” - Jack
..
Chapter Two
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #10
“A bet’s a bet. Now, how do I get out of here?!” – Jack
“(sigh) Just go two miles that way and take a left at the flayed torso of Hitler. There’s a sign that says, ‘No Exit’ .. but it’s the exit.”
..
Chapter Three
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #11
Jack and Lo Pan are forced to wash the dishes after destroying the tavern.
“For somebody bent on world domination you really take no pride in your work, Davey!”
..
Chapter Four
‘Big Trouble Little China’ #12
Slinky: “We’re pals. Never had a pal before. Hell isn’t really a place to build lasting relationships, so I’m not taking this one for granted.”
..
September 10, 2019
I loved this graphic novel. Now I want to watch the movie. The story is fast-paced and interesting. #YouShouldReadThis
October 25, 2021
Good stuff, feels like a true sequel.
April 26, 2023
Good book! Great fun. A great continuation to one of the greatest movies of all time.
June 26, 2023
Do yourself a favor and read this if you're a fan of ole jack burton. It's absolutely amazing and perfect in every way.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews