ERIC POWELL: GETTING TO KNOW THE GOON

[MattBrady]

by Aaron Weisbrod

Somewhere deep in the hills of the southern United States lives writer/artist Eric Powell. Wishing to write and draw a book about a street-level thug who punches-out monsters and fights zombies, Powell created The Goon and ventured into the world of small-press publishing, which was soon-thereafter followed by a stint of self-publishing.

Several southern-fried voodoo incantations later, the Southern bumpkin of dubious descent managed to bring The Goon to Dark Horse Comics as part of a new created line of horror titles under the supervision of Scott Allie.

Then eliminating all doubt that the rustic rapscallion had forged an unholy alliance with evil forces of most profound power, The Goon almost immediately began to develop a rabid cult-like following among both fans and the popular press alike, including rave reviews in Entertainment Weekly, where it was above Johnny Depp on “The Must List.”

Through careful use of a jug o’ moonshine, two tin cans connected by a length of yarn, and a ouija board, Newsarama was able to briefly speak with Powell about his action-comedy-horror book The Goon, a one-of-a-kind romp that seemingly has every living (and dead) person on both sides of the Mississippi River a-buzzin’ with excitement…

Newsarama: Before we get into more modern times, let’s start at the beginning. Cajole us with tales of the young Eric Powell, and how you first ventured into the exciting world of comicdom as a lad…

Eric Powell: Tom Sneigoski got my first paying work for me. It was four issues of Razor: Uncut we worked on together.

NRMA: How did you came up with the characters and cast of The Goon?

EP: I don't really know myself. I just wanted to do something with monsters in it and a big thug as the main character. The rest of it just popped up in my head.

NRMA: The Goon is a very unique title in the sense that it straddles several different genres at once. It obviously has a strong horror element, as the main character is an extorting street-thug who fights zombies on a regular basis in exchange for payola, but it is also deeply saturated with both wacky humor as well as moments of true sentimental drama. As The Goon grew and took shape in your mind, did you make a conscious decision to keep it from being a straight "horror" book and/or a straight "comedy" book?

EP: Not really. I didn't think consciously about making it one or the other. The only thing I did do on purpose was to make sure I didn't put any restrictions on what I was doing. I wanted to do absolutely whatever I wanted. It's a dark comedy only because that's the type of material I seem to be drawn to.

NRMA: One of the earliest Goon stories appeared in the comic book anthology Digital Webbing Presents, an off-shoot of the self-described "talent engine"/website www.DigitalWebbing.com. How much do you feel the appearance in the “grassroots” publication helped you progress in your journey as a noteworthy comicbook creator?

EP: Actually, Digital Webbing was really promoting The Goon on their website, so when they asked if I would do a short in their anthology, I felt it was only fair to pay them back a little. However, I had been working professionally way before that.

NRMA: You self-published a bulk of the early Goon material under your own "Exploding Albatross" moniker. What were some of the ups and downs you experienced in your stint of self-publishing?

EP: The first Goon series was actually three issues done in '99 by a different publisher [Avatar Press]. Then there was a Goon story in an issue of Dark Horse Presents, then I self-published, and then Dark Horse picked it up permanently. Working with Dark Horse is way better than self-publishing. Now I don't have to worry about anything but producing the book.

NRMA: Speaking of Dark Horse, what steps lead to The Goon finally moving into the Dark Horse stable as part of the line of horror comics? This was by no means an overnight transition, was it?

EP: No. I worked on some of the Buffy books for Scott. I then pitched him The Goon and all we could get was a story in DHP. I ended-up self-publishing, and eventually they came around and decided to pick it up.

NRMA: The namesake character of The Goon is a big burly guy who fights zombies and assorted monsters… as is another reputable Dark Horse horror character. Spill the beans, Powell: How long is it going to be before we see a Goon/Hellboy crossover?

EP: A Goon/Hellboy crossover will never, never happen... this year.

NRMA: Hmmm… Speaking of guest appearances, your former editor Dwight Albatross hasn’t been seen around too much since your move to Dark Horse. Have his devoted fans finally seen the last of him?

EP: I think he's in the middle of a 90-day prison term for destruction of property.

NRMA: Finally, can you give some hints at what they can look forward to seeing in upcoming issues of The Goon?

EP: Well, in the current issue, #3 you get to see Goon and Franky's childhood. The next two bi-monthly issues feature a skunk ape who loves pie and then a gang-war. Fun stuff.

[Patrick_Wedge]

Yahh, first post.

This is honestly my favorite book on the market today. Each time this book comes out the stories are funny, entertaining, and no true back story is required. Each book has kind of an in and out mentality to it. You can just pick it up, read it and walk away. It is pure fun! And the art is by far lucious as well. Eric P. is an underated artist. His slick pen and ink work is much over looked. If we can only get him to do more ink wash work, now that would be a joy.

Glad to see this book is getting the praise it deserves.

Patrick

[gatchatom]

I done met him hizownself a few weeks back in Nashville. He were nice. He offred to take us huntin' and to the woods. He gimme some his funny books. His paintin's is purty. He smelled like soap. I hope when he comes to Atlanta he lets us take him drinkin'. Tony says you remind him of his mama.

Tom and Tony

[Truthseeker]

This is a great book! I can not read an issue without cracking up laughing. I was laughing so hard one night my wife picked up and she is hooked on it to! Go buy the trade and I gurentee you will be hooked. Great stuff.

[shaneyhole]

this book is wonderful in every aspect!!

[stlfan79]

This book kicks more ass than a drunk pimp on Main Street.

[stlfan79]

Also if you read this watch out for exploding orangutangs

[Robot H Brian]

I demand a Goon/Sky Ape crossover.

Right now.

[Jason Galvin]

Absolutely one of the BEST comics being published today. While it doesn't make me LOL like other claim (no comic has ever done that for me) it is one of the freshest, most original comic being published today. And IMO the single hardest thing for a comic to do is stand out & look & feel different from the countless publications out there. Powell is an amazing talent, already on the level with the comic book elite like Mignola IMO. My only complaint is I just wish this came out monthly.

[Reaper]

The Goon: Beautiful. Unique. Great!

-Tim

[Overkill]

Originally posted by Robot H Brian
I demand a Goon/Sky Ape crossover.

Right now.

Oh man that would so rock my sad little world. Or a Goon/Rex Mantooth crossover. Or... OR.... dare I say it....
A Goon/Rex Mantooth/Sky Ape 128-page bonanza!!!!!! With special guest stars FLAMING CARROT AND QUANTUM AND WOODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to go change my shorts now.


ps The Goon rules.

[OM]

Originally posted by gatchatom
I done met him hizownself a few weeks back in Nashville. He were nice. He offred to take us huntin' and to the woods. He gimme some his funny books. His paintin's is purty. He smelled like soap. I hope when he comes to Atlanta he lets us take him drinkin'. Tony says you remind him of his mama.

...Yankees and Damnyankees take note: The views expressed in the quoted post above do not reflect the majority of those of the Sons and Daughters of the Deep South, nor do they reflect one iota of those native to the Republic of Texas. Be advised that the backwoods inbred hillbillies constitute only 1/1000th of 1% of the local indigenous population down here, and the current theory is that they're not really human at all, but some form of possum or skunk mutated by toxic waste from paper and steel mills, as they did not come into existence until those two industries set up shop in the rural areas.

...Now, with that disclaimer out of the way, I submit that the ultimate crossover for this character would be for Popeye to learn that Alice the Goon has a new boyfriend who's more her style :-)

[gatchatom]

Originally posted by OM
...Yankees and Damnyankees take note: The views expressed in the quoted post above do not reflect the majority of those of the Sons and Daughters of the Deep South, nor do they reflect one iota of those native to the Republic of Texas. Be advised that the backwoods inbred hillbillies constitute only 1/1000th of 1% of the local indigenous population down here, and the current theory is that they're not really human at all, but some form of possum or skunk mutated by toxic waste from paper and steel mills, as they did not come into existence until those two industries set up shop in the rural areas.

...Now, with that disclaimer out of the way, I submit that the ultimate crossover for this character would be for Popeye to learn that Alice the Goon has a new boyfriend who's more her style :-)

You usin them big words. I don't what your sayin' but you got a purty mouth.

[Scott Beeler]

I find "The Goon" can be a little up and down, as some stories hit me dead on (like the first Albatross Exploding issue) but others don't really connect (like the Christmas issue of the Albatross Exploding series). It's a hard line to walk between the horror, action, comedy (even dare I say, drama) elements of the book. But the first three of the Dark Horse issues have been very good and I'm glad to see it cooking along nicely. And the art's always been great -- B&W or Color, it's a really striking style and sets the perfect tone for the series.

[Donster]

I bought the first Avatar issue of The Goon when it came out but didn't stick with it then...kinda reminded me of early Doug Mahnke drawn (John Arcudi written) stories of The Mask, but I didn't care for it.

Knew that Dark Horse had recently picked up The Goon and, from what I could tell by the promo stuff, saw that Eric Powell's art had improved. Bought the Nothin' But Misery trade and new #1 off the shelves at my shop when they came out...liked the art and coloring but didn't think any of it was a great read... offbeat, funny and very good in bits but not overall wholely...thought likewise of the second issue but added the title to my regular list.

Really did like Powell's young Hellboy story in Hellboy Weird Tales #2 (my favorite part of the anthology so far) and just read The Goon #3 and thought it was great. Imagine a Goon issue all done in photo panels like the framing sequences in #3 with "actors" in makeup...some photoshopping and computer graphics. Picked up Drawing On Your Nightmares cuz it has a Goon story in it but haven't read it yet.

Now that The Goon has become one of my favorite comics, I hope Powell doesn't pull a Mark (Xenozoic Tales) Schultz by working harder on improving his art and writing, then producing an issue once every few years and getting nominated for best ongoing/continuing series. May The Goon Go On!

[OM]

Originally posted by gatchatom
You usin them big words. I don't what your sayin' but you got a purty mouth.

...Quiet, boy. Your mother's trying to pay the rent, and she can't do that if you're distracting her.

[OcCaM]

Originally posted by OM
...Quiet, boy. Your mother's trying to pay the rent, and she can't do that if you're distracting her.

Now why'd you have to be mean to the in-bred fool. He just was commenting on your purty mouth that he saw on one of your gentleman websites. Y'know when you stunt double for one of your purty drag queens errrr ladies on your sites.

[reallybigmonste]

it's hard not to love The Goon.

[Device]

I just wanted to express my love for The Goon. I picked up the first TPB and it's a beauty. Great artwork, fun fun stories involving the undead and absolutely hilarious moments. This book made me laugh out loud quite often. And that's not that often a comic does that.

I'm a believer.

[Ray Dillon]

I love The Goon!! Keep up the great work, Eric!!

[OM]

Originally posted by OcCaM
Now why'd you have to be mean to the in-bred fool. He just was commenting on your purty mouth that he saw on one of your gentleman websites. Y'know when you stunt double for one of your purty drag queens errrr ladies on your sites.

...Bite me. OcCam. You know damn well that all GC's require applicants to strip fully nekkid during the application to prevent such a thing from happening!

And besides, if he'd shown proof he was a product of selective inbreeding, I might have cut him some slack...:-P