OBSERVATIONS FROM FELLOW FANS
Thanks to odocolonie for writing in the following special effects suggestion

To the f/x guys about 20 years ago a movie called 'Trancers' came out featuring James Colbourne as the bad guy. Well if you got hit with a trancer gun the effect immediately was very powerful and without "cgi" but I'll never forget that this effect made me feel like something out of the ordinary truly happened. This effect would fit the Johnny's character like a glove and the best part is by
now nearly no one is familiar with the effect.

Hope you don't mind my posting your idea.