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Big Trouble in Little China (Collected Editions)
Big Trouble in Little China, Vol. 1
Jack Burton's BACK!
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 fiance 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. Collecting the first four issues of the critically acclaimed series.
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 fiance 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. Collecting the first four issues of the critically acclaimed series.
128 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2015
12 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Eric Powell
504 books280 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 1, 2022
This feels like a proper sequel, it shares the same good and bad aspects of the original, and I'm quite happy with the result.
June 18, 2018
I am a big fan of the movie, so I was a bit nervous going into this. My fears were quickly laid to rest, however, because this is hilarious and very much in the spirit of the film. It's even better if you read everyone's lines in their character's voices (especially Jack).
My only complaint thus far is where is Gracie, Margo, and Eddie????
My only complaint thus far is where is Gracie, Margo, and Eddie????
September 3, 2016
I thought this was hilarious. The comic has managed to capture the vibe of the movie almost perfectly, which is really rare.
There's plenty of action, but the humor was laugh out loud. If you enjoyed the movie, I'm pretty sure you'll like the comic. The storyline picks up right where the movie left off and goes on from there. This volume does end on a cliffhanger, but I was going to keep reading anyway.
Good story and good art. A great continuation of the movie.
There's plenty of action, but the humor was laugh out loud. If you enjoyed the movie, I'm pretty sure you'll like the comic. The storyline picks up right where the movie left off and goes on from there. This volume does end on a cliffhanger, but I was going to keep reading anyway.
Good story and good art. A great continuation of the movie.
December 28, 2014
A great continuation of the story from the movie.
Co-written by Eric Powell (Goon) and Carpenter himself, this very much as the feel of the movie.
The dialog is snappy. Jack Burton is an idiot. Egg Shen is wise but snarky.
I'm really enjoying this and as long as the series keeps up this level of enjoyment, I'll be reading it.
Co-written by Eric Powell (Goon) and Carpenter himself, this very much as the feel of the movie.
The dialog is snappy. Jack Burton is an idiot. Egg Shen is wise but snarky.
I'm really enjoying this and as long as the series keeps up this level of enjoyment, I'll be reading it.
January 14, 2020
Pretty lame, from the underdeveloped story to the crummy art. This is not a very good followup to the classic movie.
November 26, 2019
This was fun, although I think my thirst for Big Trouble in Little China was satisfied by Big Trouble in Little China. But when Eric Powell is on a book, so is Pete.
If you're the kind of person who loved the movie and when you love something, you want more of it, this is for you. If you're like, "I like Star Wars, so keep 'em comin'!" then you'll probably be into this too.
I've had my fill of Star Wars, PS. There are just some things that you get enough of, and I don't need them to overstay their welcome. This happened for me about 5 minutes into the pod race of Episode 1, although I wouldn't fully realize it until partway through Attack of the Clones. I didn't even go see Episode 3 in the theater, even though that was the one everyone said tied it all together, like it was a rug in Lebowski's house or something. No shit! We all knew what was coming, we just hadn't seen it depicted. Then we saw it depicted, and it was no great shakes.
I saw the first new one in the theater, which was okay, although my mom (who usually watches very boring foreign films) said, "I kept waiting for something exciting to happen." And I tend to agree, it wasn't all that thrilling for me either. When your Star Wars movie bores MY MOM, you fucked up.
The next one I saw on Netflix. It was a lot less exciting, I'm afraid. A slo-mo chase through the vastness of space? And how does it even make sense? A large ship goes through space just as fast as a small one. Ya'll are thinking of a medium like water where it takes a long time to turn around a large ship. Space is empty. A large flat ship should turn around just as fast as a small ship, right? Plus, they're going to run out of gas? If that's the case, you would still continue in the original direction, at mostly the original speed, without stepping on it, as space is mostly frictionless. During most space voyages, the engines are used to escape Earth's atmosphere, then to SLOW DOWN once they reach the destination.
Okay, I'm getting all science about a Star Wars movie, but in my defense, I'm getting science about the main plot of the Star Wars movie, which hinges on an Imperial ship not destroying rebel ships for...no real reason.
Rogue One. This one gets credit for filling in one of the all-time nerd plotholes of all time, namely the reason someone would put a shaft that leads straight to the Death Star's core. This would be like me having a hole that goes straight to my heart in the center of my chest and pretty much just hoping nothing goes wrong. But other than that...eh? I think they get credit for going dark and having a war-like movie, but to those people I say, OKAY SO THE DEATH OF JEB PORKINS DOESN'T MOVE YOU? WHY? BECAUSE HE'S FAT!?
But among all my complaints, I think the real truth is that I got my fill of Star Wars. I got my fill of Ghostbusters about halfway through Ghostbusters II. I got my fill of Terminator before I was even old enough to see a Terminator movie in the theater. I got my fill of Halloween from the original.
Some franchises made good on later sequels. Nightmare On Elm Street probably peaked at part III. Rocky has worked surprisingly well in sequels.
But overall, I'm good on most things, including Big Trouble in Little China. I hope that, instead of remaking or making a sequel (because BOY has John Carpenter's stuff been recycled a lot! And badly!), I hope that filmmakers and studios will make new stuff so that this era can have its own Big Trouble in Little China, some quirky thing that 30 years from now people will say "That only could've been made in the 2020's."
If you're the kind of person who loved the movie and when you love something, you want more of it, this is for you. If you're like, "I like Star Wars, so keep 'em comin'!" then you'll probably be into this too.
I've had my fill of Star Wars, PS. There are just some things that you get enough of, and I don't need them to overstay their welcome. This happened for me about 5 minutes into the pod race of Episode 1, although I wouldn't fully realize it until partway through Attack of the Clones. I didn't even go see Episode 3 in the theater, even though that was the one everyone said tied it all together, like it was a rug in Lebowski's house or something. No shit! We all knew what was coming, we just hadn't seen it depicted. Then we saw it depicted, and it was no great shakes.
I saw the first new one in the theater, which was okay, although my mom (who usually watches very boring foreign films) said, "I kept waiting for something exciting to happen." And I tend to agree, it wasn't all that thrilling for me either. When your Star Wars movie bores MY MOM, you fucked up.
The next one I saw on Netflix. It was a lot less exciting, I'm afraid. A slo-mo chase through the vastness of space? And how does it even make sense? A large ship goes through space just as fast as a small one. Ya'll are thinking of a medium like water where it takes a long time to turn around a large ship. Space is empty. A large flat ship should turn around just as fast as a small ship, right? Plus, they're going to run out of gas? If that's the case, you would still continue in the original direction, at mostly the original speed, without stepping on it, as space is mostly frictionless. During most space voyages, the engines are used to escape Earth's atmosphere, then to SLOW DOWN once they reach the destination.
Okay, I'm getting all science about a Star Wars movie, but in my defense, I'm getting science about the main plot of the Star Wars movie, which hinges on an Imperial ship not destroying rebel ships for...no real reason.
Rogue One. This one gets credit for filling in one of the all-time nerd plotholes of all time, namely the reason someone would put a shaft that leads straight to the Death Star's core. This would be like me having a hole that goes straight to my heart in the center of my chest and pretty much just hoping nothing goes wrong. But other than that...eh? I think they get credit for going dark and having a war-like movie, but to those people I say, OKAY SO THE DEATH OF JEB PORKINS DOESN'T MOVE YOU? WHY? BECAUSE HE'S FAT!?
But among all my complaints, I think the real truth is that I got my fill of Star Wars. I got my fill of Ghostbusters about halfway through Ghostbusters II. I got my fill of Terminator before I was even old enough to see a Terminator movie in the theater. I got my fill of Halloween from the original.
Some franchises made good on later sequels. Nightmare On Elm Street probably peaked at part III. Rocky has worked surprisingly well in sequels.
But overall, I'm good on most things, including Big Trouble in Little China. I hope that, instead of remaking or making a sequel (because BOY has John Carpenter's stuff been recycled a lot! And badly!), I hope that filmmakers and studios will make new stuff so that this era can have its own Big Trouble in Little China, some quirky thing that 30 years from now people will say "That only could've been made in the 2020's."
August 30, 2019
Up until book 3 this series is gold. Maybe it has to do with the fact that it was co-written with John Carpenter himself? the art is not exactly top notch quality, but the characters and situations are faithful to the 1986 movie, which is the most important thing at the end of the day being this a sequel in comic form. After the third book you can safely throw this series in the garbage bin. If you want to know why, more details on my review of the fourth book.
November 5, 2015
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA was one of those lightning-in-a-bottle movies (like THE FIFTH ELEMENT and ARMY OF DARKNESS) that would have been a complete disaster with virtually any other writer or director attached.
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA the comic book, which picks up right where the film left off, essentially proves this point. In the hands of writer Eric Powell, all the brilliance of the previous story line completely evaporates, and all we are left with is a big stupid mess. This comic is not funny, it's not fun, and the character of Jack Burton lacks all his former charm (in much the same way that Ash from ARMY OF DARKNESS lost his appeal when appearing in comic book format). I only give it two stars because the artwork is at least passable.
I'm sure John Carpenter had nothing to do with this comic other than to cash the royalty check sent to him by the publisher.
After waiting 25 years for a BIG TROUBLE sequel, Jack Burton fans deserve better.
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA the comic book, which picks up right where the film left off, essentially proves this point. In the hands of writer Eric Powell, all the brilliance of the previous story line completely evaporates, and all we are left with is a big stupid mess. This comic is not funny, it's not fun, and the character of Jack Burton lacks all his former charm (in much the same way that Ash from ARMY OF DARKNESS lost his appeal when appearing in comic book format). I only give it two stars because the artwork is at least passable.
I'm sure John Carpenter had nothing to do with this comic other than to cash the royalty check sent to him by the publisher.
After waiting 25 years for a BIG TROUBLE sequel, Jack Burton fans deserve better.
June 26, 2015
Exactly what you expect, which is a good thing.
Read
August 22, 2017DNF - sadly not my little cup o'tea
March 12, 2018
An amazing cheesy follow up to the movie. Lots of goofiness. Lots of nods to the movie. Lots of wacky action. Perfect if you are a fan of the movie and bizarre stuff.
It's stupid and dumb in all the best ways, it'll keep you entertained and make you want to have your own pet demon.
It's stupid and dumb in all the best ways, it'll keep you entertained and make you want to have your own pet demon.
March 17, 2016
I really wanted to like this one more than I did. Big Trouble in Little China is one of my favorite films, and Eric Powell seemed a decent fit for the material. Unfortunately, in spite of all the words of praise slapped all over this volume, I found it to be a big disappointment. Jack Burton's ex-wife stories were all pure Powell, and the art by Brian Churilla was suitably over-the-top and cartoony, but that's about all that worked. The dialogue and characters all fell flat on the page, and worst of all it falls very badly victim to the major sin of movie sequels: relying way, way, way,
waaaaaaaay
too much on jokes and lines from the original movie.
July 6, 2015
meh. I watched the movie (which is one of my faves) and then sat down to read this book by Eric Powell and John Carpenter to see what happened to my old pal Jack Burton after the events of the film. I'm sorry Mr. Carpenter but the fun and comedy of the characters from the film just did not make the transition to this comic and its cheesy artwork.
August 4, 2017
This is a silly little story that does a good job of capturing the characters of Jack Burton and Egg Shen from the movie in a new adventure. Burton comes off a bit like Ash from the Evil Dead series, but that's meant as a compliment - the series is fully aware that Burton is the fool as much as the hero as he stumbles through the adventure, even turning it to the advantage of the series. There's lots of action, lots of humor, and just a lot of silliness; there are stylings from Powell's The Goon but again they are very much in keeping with the concept and series. The art is nice, although Burton has been divorced a little more from Kurt Russell than one might want to see. It also ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, without any real resolution, which is why it's only got three stars instead of four. Still, it's a lot of fun, and a good continuation for fans of the movie (or fans of Evil Dead).
August 16, 2019
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.”
..
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.”
..
February 17, 2019
Werepenguin Productions remarks:
For better or worse we thought the graphic novel captured the feel of the movie quite well (we enjoyed the movie for what it is and also this graphic novel).
Keywords: Jack Burton, 80's Nostalgia, B-Movie Fun
Violence and Gore: Moderate realistic (broken bones through skin, torn/damaged tissue, organs exposed, beheading)
Profanity: PG
Sex and Nudity: None
Content descriptions are provided without value judgments. We want to maximize the fun and success rates of finding a new fandom. Since audiences vary in age, culture, and comfort levels we want to help people connect with something they’ll enjoy the most. To learn more about our content description writing process click here.
https://www.werepenguinproductions.or...
For better or worse we thought the graphic novel captured the feel of the movie quite well (we enjoyed the movie for what it is and also this graphic novel).
Keywords: Jack Burton, 80's Nostalgia, B-Movie Fun
Violence and Gore: Moderate realistic (broken bones through skin, torn/damaged tissue, organs exposed, beheading)
Profanity: PG
Sex and Nudity: None
Content descriptions are provided without value judgments. We want to maximize the fun and success rates of finding a new fandom. Since audiences vary in age, culture, and comfort levels we want to help people connect with something they’ll enjoy the most. To learn more about our content description writing process click here.
https://www.werepenguinproductions.or...
November 22, 2021
Really fits the tone of the movie. This really is the best adaptation/sequel in comic form I’ve ever seen. I love the movie and I’m glad to have more. The jokes work, both visual and as dialogue. For better and worse we learn more about Jack Burton. Takes us to places a low budget movie could not.
“The demon would follow you all the way through the hell of the flesh-eating serpents who like warm crevices!”
What I learned: Jack Burton used to dance under the name “Tasticake McSugar.” Lo Pan went to the hell of those killed by idiots.
“The demon would follow you all the way through the hell of the flesh-eating serpents who like warm crevices!”
What I learned: Jack Burton used to dance under the name “Tasticake McSugar.” Lo Pan went to the hell of those killed by idiots.
March 24, 2023
I was excited to read further stories about Jack Burton ("Who?") and these books don't disappoint.
Much.
They're fine and carry the spirit of the movie pretty well. The art can use some work but I assume some of that was "He wants how much for a likeness license?!" and so we get this. And by "he" I mean pretty much everyone from the movie because even Egg got beat with an ugly stick.
I wish the books were a little longer but it is art, not just writing, so it makes some sense.
Recommended if you're a big fan of the movie, not so much if you just liked it.
Much.
They're fine and carry the spirit of the movie pretty well. The art can use some work but I assume some of that was "He wants how much for a likeness license?!" and so we get this. And by "he" I mean pretty much everyone from the movie because even Egg got beat with an ugly stick.
I wish the books were a little longer but it is art, not just writing, so it makes some sense.
Recommended if you're a big fan of the movie, not so much if you just liked it.
February 24, 2023
It is my favourite movie of all time, saw it as a young kid, around 4 or 5, and it only ever got better with time. So I am probably biased with a 5 star result, though in its defence it is a solid direct sequel to the movie. Finally got to see more of the monster lurking on The Pork Chop Express at the end of the film and the questions surrounding this mysterious figure that bothered and awed me as a child and all through these years.
November 5, 2025
this was a little of a letdown to me becuase I loved the movie so much. Jack Burton was fine . Egg Shen and Wang were good too. The villian didnt get a lot of page time and it appears is a disciple of Lo Pan and brothers to the 3 storms...
Overall , it was fun. Not amazing. But Fun. Didnt like the fact that "Pete" is now a servant of Jack...didnt like the fact that was no Gracie and Eddie...Oh well.
Overall , it was fun. Not amazing. But Fun. Didnt like the fact that "Pete" is now a servant of Jack...didnt like the fact that was no Gracie and Eddie...Oh well.
July 21, 2017
I don't think I would have made it through this one if I didn't feel a loyalty to the movie. It was a bit of a slog and threw in a bunch of wackiness that was hard to follow... it just wound up being too much for me. And the art was okay, but not distinctive enough to win me over on its own. I might try out the other stories just to give it a fair shot, but I'm not rushing out to buy them.
August 19, 2021
The covers are really nice, I would use a lot of those as wallpapers or posters. The art at the start was cool too, but it felt less noticeable towards the second half.
Lo Pan and some stuff was funny, but the plot was pretty dull; the big deal made over the country singer was annoying. I will check out the other stories later if I see them.
Lo Pan and some stuff was funny, but the plot was pretty dull; the big deal made over the country singer was annoying. I will check out the other stories later if I see them.
June 8, 2018
81/100
I had no idea I needed this in my life, but I totally did. We're likely never going to get a sequel to Big Trouble in Little China, at least not one with Kurt Russell, but this is the next best thing. It picks up right after the movie finishes and it's cut entirely from the same cloth.
I had no idea I needed this in my life, but I totally did. We're likely never going to get a sequel to Big Trouble in Little China, at least not one with Kurt Russell, but this is the next best thing. It picks up right after the movie finishes and it's cut entirely from the same cloth.
May 12, 2022
Silly fun - if you loved the movie, here’s a sequel that has issues with likenesses (this Jack is not Kurt Russell), but the voices of the characters is dead on and the situations as batshit as the film.
May 16, 2017
Eric Powell provides just the right amount of snark to make this a totally enjoyable read. I can't wait to continue the series!
September 5, 2017
If you are a fan of the movie this will definitely be your cup of supernatural demon green tea.
June 26, 2017
Just plain fun. Made me want to watch the movie again for the 100th time. Having read Powell's "Goon" I realize why he was absolutely perfect to take on Jack Burton.
September 30, 2017
Awesome follow on from the movie! Does a great job connecting the story in and building on what came before. Wish Egg had a bit more character but all in all a good piece of work.
April 14, 2019
I loved the movie since it came out. And the tone of the book was pretty much spot on. It was a fun ride on the Porkchop Express!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews