The Goon v3 1-43 (2003-2012) (Digital) (G85-Empire) (Ongoing)

English | CBR | 43 Issues

The Goon v3 #1-43
Publisher: Dark Horse
Publication Date: June 18, 2003 - November 21, 2012

Writer: Eric Powell
Colorists: Dave Stewart, Eric Powell, Robin Powell, and others

The Goon is an ongoing comic book series written and drawn by Eric Powell (with colors often by Dave Stewart or Eric/Robin Powell). The series mixes both a comical and violent atmosphere with a paranormal slant, with the average story concerning various undead creatures/zombies, ghosts, ghouls, mutants, skunk-apes with an unnatural hunger for pies, giant squids, mob/gang leaders, extra-dimensional aliens, mad scientists, robots, and more.

The Goon debuted in Dreamwalker #0 (March 1998, Avatar Press) in a 4-page Preview (later reprinted as the third story in the Goon #1, which is the true first appearance of the character). Powell was unhappy with the quality of the Avatar Press comics after just 3 issues, so he stopped handing in new material and waited for his contract to expire. Once that happened, he was unable to find another publisher, so he moved into self-publishing in 2002 with Albatross Exploding Funny Books. These self-published issues caught the eye of Dark Horse Comics, which approached Powell by telling him that they didn't know why they passed on the book, and in 2003 publication of The Goon moved to Dark Horse.

The book also received a release that would never be reprinted in trade format, Satan's Sodomy Baby.

After Dark Horse Comics published issue #18, The Goon went on hiatus to allow Eric Powell to work on Chinatown, a graphic novel which tells more of the Goon's back story. The series returned with issue #19 on July 11, 2007.

On July 22, 2009 a one-shot comic was released titled Dethklok vs. The Goon. Both Eric Powell and Brendon Small co-wrote the comic.

On July 20, 2011 another one-shot comic was released titled "When Freaks Collide". It was a collaboration between the Criminal Macabre comic series and The Goon by Steve Niles, Christopher Mitten, and Eric Powell.

The series has won several Eisner Awards - Best Single Issue/Single Story, Best Continuing Series, Best Humor Publication, Best Writer/Artist - Humor, and Best Painter or Multimedia Artist (interior art).