The Goon, Volume 0: Rough Stuff

The Goon #0

by Eric Powell

Dark Horse Comics brings you the origin of Eric Powell's The Goon, the earliest stories published for the first time. The Zombie Priest has just set up shop on Lonely Street and intends to build an undead army, and the Goon's the only man who can stop him. His early battles with the undead are mixed with stories of the Goon's youth, as we meet his circus-freak family and learn how he came to be the head of a notorious crime family. Also included in this volume is a look at the creation of the Goon and his world with a special "Evolution of The Goon" sketchbook section.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Horror, Humor, Fiction, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics

88 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Eric 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.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The original 3 issues of The Goon before the title was picked up by Dark Horse and became the sensation it is today. Powell complains about the art but it looks as great here as later issues. I like the black and white version of Powell's art unobscured by color. All of the Goon's world building begins in these self-published issues. The Zombie Priest, Lobrazio, Fishy Pete, Merle the Werewolf, Franky's "Knife to the Eye", it all begins here. I love the deranged, off-kilter feel to Powell's world building.

[Metodi Markov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Чудесен комикс, попаднал в полезрението ми благодарение на Митко Цолов.

Днес се снабдих с него, българското издание на първите истории за Бандита е отлежавало в забравен и от бога склад къмто дестина години, преди да види бял свят наскоро.

На мен те ми харесаха, доста кохерентни са като за пръв авторов опит и с добър арт. Пък и не всеки ден можеш да видиш шестметрово шимпанзе - зомби в акция. :)

За съжаление, останалите приключения на Бандита надали ще се появят на български...

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good!

[Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Knife to the eye!"

So this is pre-Goon Goon. The first three issues before The Goon was cancelled, self published, then picked up by Dark Horse. Powell claims the artwork is rough and the writing poorly plotted, but I disagree. While the artwork becomes more refined over time, it's still super cool looking. And like my fellow reviewer Mike says, Powell already plants seeds that take root later in Volume 1, such as how Fishy Pete loses his arm and leg, the beginning of the non sequitur "knife to the eye," Merle the werewolf, etc. Powell has a sense for quick, thorough, and truly bizarre world building.

In this volume we get the backstory on Labrazio, the mafia crime boss who Goon and Franky are supposed to work for. What we actually end up with (in addition to) is a tale of Goon's upbringing, which involves carnival lunacy, teenage sex, and murder. Intrigue!

There's plenty of wackiness from The Goon, even if it hasn't fully ripened to its overripe delicious potential. The Zombie Priest and his Zombie Gang lead a literal Goon head hunt with help of the G-Men. There's a giant zombie chimp! And more! Strap in and buckle down for another (or the first, really, because time travel!) entertaining volume of The Goon.

[Димитър Цолов · Rating 5 out of 5]

Сигурно част от материала тук ще ви се стори доста глупав. Склонен съм да се съглася. Но пък никога не съм си поставял за цел да пиша интелектуален комикс. Според скромното ми мнение, вече има твърде много хора, които се опитват (да се отбележи, че казах "опитват") да го направят. Бандита винаги си е поставял само една цел - да бъде забавен.

Eй заради тези думи, гепени от предговора на Ерик Пауъл, ми иде да му разклатя здраво ръката. Защото започнахме да се вземаме ама Ного НАСЕРИозно, станахме мрънкащи и претенциозни, забравихме, че изкуството е създадено Химен-но да ни носи удоволствие и забавление. Философия, която изповядвам и се опитвам да спазвам в личното си творчество, но това е друга бира - сега трябва да кажа няколко думи за комикс албума на мистър Пауъл.

Книжлето включва три истории, появили се на бял свят като малотиражна черно-бяла поредица, достигнала едва няколко хиляди читатели. Няколко години по-късно, вече под шапката Dark Horse, и придобили цвят от ръката на Дейв Стюарт (много известен в комикс средите), приключенията на Бандита започват да жънат успех и се спрягат като едни от най-свежите на пазара.

И има защо. Представете си градче, в което Зомби Жреца е изградил престъпен картел от мъртъвци, а единственият, който продължава да обърква плановете му за абсолютна хегемония е тайнственият мафиот Лабразио, чрез своята дясна ръка - въпросния гусин Бандит. Горилоподобен, с криви и едри зъби, с ниско нахлупен над очите каскет, този примат раздава юмруци наляво и надясно, при което хвърчат крайници и ченета, а кръвта и разпадните продукти от полуразложените телеса на зомбитата се лее с ведра. Но какво би бил главният герой ако не действаше в тандем с налудничав дребосък, именуван Фъстъка Франки?! Кефът беше пълен, дами и господа! А за десерт получих и няколко кратки истории, първоначално пуснати на thegoon.com, както и разказ от първо лице на Пауъл за това как са се родили персонажите му.

Кофти ми е само, че за момента не мога да покажа книжлето на второкласника (доста нецензурни изрази и графично насилие се съдържат в него). Ама, живот и здраве, и този ден ще дойде :) Отличен ПЕТ!!!

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The "rough stuff" in the title refers to the fact that Eric Powell considers this, his earliest work on "The Goon," not nearly as polished as the later stuff.

This is the first thing I've ever read by Powell, so I can only comment on it. This volume contains the original three issues of "The Goon" that he wrote and drew, as well as some strips originally published on TheGoon.com. After his book was canceled, he self-published his material. Eventually, Dark Horse comics picked up the series, and The Goon is still going strong.

I'd never heard of The Goon until I read a feature in Rue Morgue magazine about the best horror comics. In short, The Goon is a hulking roughneck mob enforcer in a world that seems to be the '30s (although never explicitly stated ... and there are cultural references to later times). In the Goon's world, gangsters regularly employ zombies and other creepy-crawlies, which is mostly an excuse for The Goon and his sidekick, Frankie, to run roughshod over all manner of monsters and crack wise while doing it.

The Goon is just grotesque fun. There's nothing that serious or profound about it, which is part of the enjoyment. The first two issues here were pretty rough in the writing department, but the art is stunning from the get-go (despite Powell's protestations to the contrary in his introduction). By issue 3, which covers The Goon's origins in a carnival, I was hooked, and I'm looking forward to reading more.

[Martin Doychinov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прекрасна книжка, която събира цели три по-дълги истории, няколко късички, и даже има бонус от автора! Самият той си казва, че това не е сериозен, а забавен комикс и не се взима прекалено насериозно 😊. Това, лично аз, намирам за похвално!
Главният герой е огромен, маймуноподобен грозник, проблемите в чиято бандитска кариера решава само и единствено с насилие. Да не забравяме и дребния и луд негов приятел/помощник. Цялата тая манджа е в ноароподобен град, с чудовища, зомбита, и всякакви безумия!
Най-любимата ми история стана кратичката с екзорсизма - мноого смях!
П.П. Комиксът не се препоръчва за лица под 15-на години поне, че има бая насилие, кормене, вътрешности и т.н.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories and art - Powell claims this is bad compared to all his later work but I still found it amusing *and* well-plotted and drawn. The fact that he's already workin plot points through multiple stories is a huge leap even the pros don't always have in them. And some awfully crazy monster concepts show up.

[Adam M · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY DIDN'T I GET TO THIS SOONER?!?!? IT'S BEEN ON MY "WANT TO READ" LIST FOR SO LONG!

HOW DID I NOT KNOW HOW GOOD THE GOON WAS YOU JAGWEEDS!?!





Everyone, learn from my mistakes. The Goon is a fantastic character in a hilarious and weird world that's both familiar and highly stylized. Eric Powell has created something that feels genuine and unique. It's fantastic. It's violent, but not bloody. It's creepy, but in the best way. It's nostalgic, but not quaint. I wish I could figure out a better way to describe this because I want to entice you all to read it. It's solid.

I truly can't wait to devour as much of this title as possible. This was just the beginning and it was already brilliant.

[Václav · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3,7 of 5 for Goon - The Begining of the Comics)
Well, watching birth is kind of magical, but also a bit nasty. As for living creatures and similar for some "works of art". Goon wasn't complicated birth, but it was a bit ugly and rough on the edges but I wouldn't expect otherwise. Yet you can see the potential, the fun, the comedy. And I like it. The book is fairly thin, a bit over a hundred pages and barely eighty are actual comic, rest is "bonus", which I enjoyed too, to my surprise. I always wanted to start reading Goon again (I stopped with the second book) and this got me on in.

[Dávid Novotný · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even author says that he doesn't really like his style and writing in this piece, i think it's great introduction of Goon and Franky. Funny, crazy and dark, combined with lot of action. Some mysteries are teased for future volumes and many levels of Goon's character are introduced. Art is rough, but nice and whole book worked for me better at second read.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some early, originally black and white, stories of the Goon. I think the artwork is actually a bit better here than in the later, more streamlined stories, though the plotting and story is just a touch on the goofy side. Enjoyed it.

[Mitch Kukulka · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If you don't mind me asking, what's with the monkey?"
"I'm making a fifteen-foot-tall zombie chimp."
"Oh."
"A man's gotta have a hobby."

this was a f*ck*ng fever dream and i loved it

[Mr. Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious hilarious hilarious

[Malum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much else to say except that this volume is absolutely hilarious.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this might have made my dive into the Goon a little easier, but probably not much so. We get a little more backstory for Goon than I've got in Vol 1-4, specifically the name of the dame that's related to the Chinatown mishap and the start of their story.
Mostly we just got some background on Zombie Priests' giant undead chimp and a little bit of Fishy Pete. We see how Goon meets his werewolf buddy (not a buddy yet) and some abandoned characters (so far, anyway) like Blot and Mickey Da Saw.

Why did Goon give Labrazio a gravemarker, what is he stupid?

[Magila · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to give the author/illustrator a hard time since he sets the stage by telling you this isn't his best work. Instead, it's an opportunity to learn more about an interesting character which has become popular.

So, it's not the cleanest art. The characters are not completely realized. Yup. But at the same time this is about a character that is like no other - and it sort of sets the stage with an "origin" story.

I loved the noire, sci-fi concept. Zombies, gangsters, gore, oh my. And a giant zombie monkey. Yes! Yes every time.

The humor is fun and pervasive. I expected the book to be a bit more on mystery side genre-wise when I grabbed it, but I'm ok with being wrong. It delivered using what it actually is, a funny gangster zombie gore comic. I also appreciated the author didn't feel the need to pepper it with strong language.

Strongly recommend.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Eric Powell's own words, his later work "makes this stuff look like crap." But I have to disagree. "Rough Stuff" is one of my favorite Goon books, with experiments dribbling out of the corners and a sense of gravity amongst the chaos (yes, gravity) that works, in small doses, in ways that his later, "serious" Goon book ("Chinatown") just can't recapture. For the unintiated, Goon is a gangster book where the gangsters deal with zombies and other supernatural malarky, and it's really funny, breezy and well-drawn. That's about all you need to know. I won't argue that Powell's style hasn't changed a lot (mostly for the better) since this was first published, but he possesses a strength from the outset that is very evident here. A choice book.

[Книжни Криле · Rating 5 out of 5]

Съвсем наскоро „Студио Арт Лайн” извадиха нова изненада от торбата с чудесии – цяло томче събрани броеве на “The Goon”, поредица, която започнаха да издават преди сума ти години, кажи-речи в началото на своята дейност. Е, съвсем нова изненада може би не е най-точното определение – „The Goon: Груба сделка” е книжка, която е била подготвяна за издаване преди десетина години, но стига до ръцете на феновете едва сега. А дали чакането си е струвало? Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":

https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...

[Daniel Sevitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been interested in The Goon ever since that animated test footage showed up. I even blogged about it back then.

Still it's taken me 10 years to track down the first collection of the original comic books. This was plenty of fun. The humour's all there on the page and the art is pleasing - clean lines, gruesome images. I have the next volume of this already ready to go, and if I can find more in the wild, I'll pick them up.

[Xisix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a mix of Hellboy and Rocketeer, the Goon has it's own stylish charm. Here is the origin story before edges are refined and artwork tightened up. Goofy charm of zombies and wisecracking mob guys. Eric Powell warns about ragged edges but I still enjoyed misself.

[Dingle (Joker) McShimwad · Rating 4 out of 5]

like travelling back in time to the 90s then travelling back in time to the 30s then zombies

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually a review of Volumes #0-3.

The art in this is phenomenal. The characters fun and funny. Comic book violence for miles as one might expect considering the protagonist. There are also some great gags and fun nods to the comic strips of yore.

It started, at least on my read of these particular volumes, to start to feel a bit samey.

Well worth the read, as your mileage may vary.

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny...and weird. And funny!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny I nearly wet myself. A great comic.

[Mohammed Abdikhader Firdhiye · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is really nice. The stories are gory and vulgar but they are fun.

Some comics i buy for the art mostly and The Goon is like that.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you add zombies, the 1930s in the U.S., some old creatures (sissy vampires, drunk werewolves, a fishy sailor dude...) and rough humour together?

Awesomeness.

[Oscar Leal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Estrellas ☆☆☆☆
Que agradable sorpresa me acabo de llevar, tenía tiempo en que no me la pasaba tan bien con una historia así de singular. Es una mezcla de vulgaridad, violencia, arte bizarro y acción de lo más vario pinta que junto con su humor negro, hará pasar a todos un gran momento. La historia de trasfondo igualmente es divertida y no pasa desapercibida entre sus gags cómicos. Me parece algo entre Mignola y Ennis, que si es bien hilado, habrá un gran material. Las carcajadas que he soltado ante las ocurrencias, no son normales. Lo he amado. Veo un gran futuro para esta serie. Sin duda iré a comprarme rápidamente los tomos siguientes. Sus dos protagonistas son una joya, unos verdaderos bastardos. Unos mafiosos que combaten a la mafia zombie y a enanos con bolas de bolos atrapadas entre sus manos, no es para menos.

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eric Powell introduces us to the Goon, a odd hybrid cross of Mignola's Hellboy with the stylings of early period gangster dramas like Gangs of New York, Peaky Blinders, etc. with a good touch of whimsy and magical realism involved too. In this first volume, the Goon is the only thing standing in the way of the Zombie Priest and his legion of undead.

The story here isn't quite as refined as Mignola's early Hellboy stories were, but the characterization is sharp and the dialogue amusing. The artwork too seems to lack some polish as the inking works seems a bit more of an afterthought in comparison to the vibrant compositions Powell pulls out.

A fun entry to the series but I'm hoping the next couple volumes really set the tone for what the series will be like.

[Rebecca Alexx · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first experience with the goon. I wasn’t initially grabbed by issue one and put the series down. I’ve heard so much praise for the series I picked it up again. I think the writing isn’t the strongest but I liked the art and the characters. I want to try and make it to the dark horse comics before I make a final decision on whether I enjoy the comics enough to stick with them. The third issue telling the goons origin was by far the strongest here and hooked me enough to try the self published series.