Red Goblin #6: All The Kings Horses, All The Kings Men…

Red Goblin #6 arrives in full force after the massive Carnage Reigns crossover, intertwining the events of that story with Normie’s organic character arc in a seamless manner. If you were reading Carnage Reigns and wished to continue following Normie’s journey, you can easily do so. Likewise, if you skipped the event and want to dive back into the book, it’s quite accessible. The book is skillfully crafted and structured to accommodate both scenarios.

It picks up shortly after recent stories, allowing for some breathing space. Instead of opening with Normie and Rascal, the focus shifts towards the current main antagonists of the series, Goblin Nation. Following the events of the first arc, the Goblin King has fallen on hard times. As his body deteriorates and his leadership diminishes, he appoints himself a new Goblin Knight. Her initial mission as his intended successor involves the abduction and ransom of none other than Tim Anders, Normie’s close friend. As the Goblins descend upon their school grounds, Normie and a frantic Rascal must suit up as Red Goblin for one of their most perilous battles to date.

This issue could easily fit under the category of ‘Superhero Writing 101‘, but that’s not a criticism against the book. It’s tense and dramatic, with larger-than-life characters that navigate the fine line between whimsical and Machiavellian in a truly human way. Normie experiences many firsts in this issue, with the climax presenting a claustrophobic and tense hostage situation that thrusts him into a superhero scenario he has yet to face. Unlike his initial battle against the Goblin King and his role in Carnage Reigns, where civilian presence was limited, this time there’s a significant risk of civilian casualties for which he could be held responsible.

The added stress amplifies his slipping hold on Rascal. The situation grows messy, and the writing is excellent, even if the actual execution of the tense moments falls slightly short compared to their conceptual impact. Neither Goblin Knight nor Normie achieve complete success. Thematically, the scenarios in this issue align seamlessly with Normie’s character development, which might lead one to expect heavy-handedness. However, the creative team continues to handle the psycho-emotional aspects of Normie’s character with finesse and subtlety as necessary, heightening the tension further.

The introduction of a new Goblin Knight is the more ambiguous aspect of this issue. Her character feels somewhat generic, rebellious, with a vaguely righteous cause. However, this seems to be a point of development for the character, one we’ll likely see evolve in the future. The Goblin King remains the clear villain here, showcased effectively in the book’s cliffhanger. His personality oscillates between vulnerability and maniacal behavior in this issue, presented in a realistic and believable manner.

Every aspect of this book holds the potential for cartoonishness, yet the team has done an admirable job grounding it in tangible human struggles, juxtaposed with exciting and inspiring superhero storytelling. Jan Bazaluda delivers particularly striking moments of visual storytelling in this issue, combining epic and tense action with convincing emotional depth and visually stunning symbolism.