Road to Perdition graphic novel analysis
Just finished Road to Perdition, written by Max Allan Collins with art by Richard Piers Rayner, in one sitting last night. It's a Midwest gangster story set during 1930's prohibition heavily influenced by Lone Wolf and Cub.
Here is my narrative structure analysis:
Act 1 Setup
Son narrates in written flashback, describing the setting and introducing the Looney Gang, old man John and his crazy son Connor, and Michael O'Sullivan and his family.
plot point 1
Michael Jr. hides in father's car and is witness to murder of Gabel and his gang.
Act 2 Confrontation
Michael is sent to Lococo to be killed and Connor kills O'Sullivan's wife and other son. Michael declares war on Looney and goes on the run with Michael Jr.
plot point 2
Michael burns down Quinlan Ferryboat, leading to Capone relinquishing protection of Connor.
Act 3 Resolution
Michael kills Connor, but is later killed in Perdition, leaving Michael Jr alone.
Great story. My only problem with it is how Michael is killed. Considering how successfully he had avoided death thus far, it seems unlikely that he would have let his guard down ever and that a single gunman would have got him.
Characters:
Michael O'Sullivan - a soldier in the great war and a soldier for Looney. An expert killer, honorable man and loves his family.
John Looney - gangster boss. Protective of his son, but ultimately unloyal to Michael.
Connor Looney - ruthless gangster.
Michael Jr. - narrator. Admiring of his father. Conflicted by moral questions, ultimately becomes a priest in adulthood.
Al Capone - gangster interested in respect and to a lesser degree business.
Frank Nitti - gangster associate of Capone and Looney, interested primarily in business.
Eliot Ness - federal agent who takes down old man Looney for violation of Volstead Act with evidence provided by Michael. Has reputation for being uncorrupted.
Here is my narrative structure analysis:
Act 1 Setup
Son narrates in written flashback, describing the setting and introducing the Looney Gang, old man John and his crazy son Connor, and Michael O'Sullivan and his family.
plot point 1
Michael Jr. hides in father's car and is witness to murder of Gabel and his gang.
Act 2 Confrontation
Michael is sent to Lococo to be killed and Connor kills O'Sullivan's wife and other son. Michael declares war on Looney and goes on the run with Michael Jr.
plot point 2
Michael burns down Quinlan Ferryboat, leading to Capone relinquishing protection of Connor.
Act 3 Resolution
Michael kills Connor, but is later killed in Perdition, leaving Michael Jr alone.
Great story. My only problem with it is how Michael is killed. Considering how successfully he had avoided death thus far, it seems unlikely that he would have let his guard down ever and that a single gunman would have got him.
Characters:
Michael O'Sullivan - a soldier in the great war and a soldier for Looney. An expert killer, honorable man and loves his family.
John Looney - gangster boss. Protective of his son, but ultimately unloyal to Michael.
Connor Looney - ruthless gangster.
Michael Jr. - narrator. Admiring of his father. Conflicted by moral questions, ultimately becomes a priest in adulthood.
Al Capone - gangster interested in respect and to a lesser degree business.
Frank Nitti - gangster associate of Capone and Looney, interested primarily in business.
Eliot Ness - federal agent who takes down old man Looney for violation of Volstead Act with evidence provided by Michael. Has reputation for being uncorrupted.
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