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The Goon #14
The Goon, Volume 14: Occasion of Revenge
What’s left of the Zombie Priest’s race of witches comes after the Goon, forcing him to face his nightmares or lose his town! This volume collects Occasion of Revenge #1–#4.
120 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2015
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122 people want to read
About the author
Eric Powell
504 books280 followersEric 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 23, 2025
This volume was dark!
December 22, 2014
Eric Powell’s back with his first long-form story in quite some time with Occasion of Revenge. The Zombie Priest’s former coven of witches and sorcerers have decided that Lonely St is to be their new home - but not if The Goon can help it! We also see the tragic tale of Fred Paulsey and Sandy Wayne, the origin of Willie Nagel (the daisy-hatted zombie geetar playa), and the terrifying new villain, Longfingers. Oh, and Revenge Shit Giuseppe who… well, you can guess what the crack is with him!
I really, really want to say Occasion of Revenge was an amazing, awesome, totally killer read because I think Eric Powell is an incredible comics creator and I do usually genuinely enjoy Goon books (and here’s the BUT) BUT… no, not this time unfortunately.
Powell’s adopted the structure of most of Mike Mignola’s comics where storylines are numbered in parts rather than the actual numbering of the comics. So Occasion of Revenge #1 is actually The Goon #46, and so on, but Dark Horse want more readers jumping on and it helps sometimes if you scale back the numbering rather than intimidate the reader with big numbers. That said, I was expecting this 4 part story to be self-contained and it wasn’t so I really don’t know what’s going on with the numbering!
Fred Paulsey and Sandy Wayne’s story was too miserable to really enjoy and it went nowhere, ending in some bizarre, open-ended fashion that was unsatisfying. Longfingers and the rest of the evil coven remain at large, having spent the book popping up now and then to battle Goon and his men. There was also this weak romance story between Goon and Some Lady which you knew wasn’t going to end well and, of course, didn’t.
Instead this book was mostly about a bastard getting even with his step-brother for the way their dad treated his mum. It read like a watered down version of a Sin City story only it wasn’t dark enough without enough bite.
The story I really liked was Willie Nagel’s origin which is sad like every other story here, but was an engaging aside. Revenge Shit Giuseppe was another mad character who gets thrown in now and then for comic relief but it’s a momentary respite of silliness before plunging back into the despair.
Powell’s art continues to be truly impressive switching from a variety of styles that also intelligently utilises space to tell the various tales. If Powell’s writing sometimes fluctuates across the many Goon books, the one constant is his far-ranging and wonderful illustration skills that make his comics stand out.
Unfortunately though the many stories that make up Occasion of Revenge don’t add up to much. It reads more like an extended prologue than its own story with several odds and ends thrown in for padding. That’s not to say it’s an unenjoyable read, it’s just not of the same calibre as some of Powell’s better Goon books. Of course I’m coming back for the next arc though I’m hoping the story is a bit tighter.
I really, really want to say Occasion of Revenge was an amazing, awesome, totally killer read because I think Eric Powell is an incredible comics creator and I do usually genuinely enjoy Goon books (and here’s the BUT) BUT… no, not this time unfortunately.
Powell’s adopted the structure of most of Mike Mignola’s comics where storylines are numbered in parts rather than the actual numbering of the comics. So Occasion of Revenge #1 is actually The Goon #46, and so on, but Dark Horse want more readers jumping on and it helps sometimes if you scale back the numbering rather than intimidate the reader with big numbers. That said, I was expecting this 4 part story to be self-contained and it wasn’t so I really don’t know what’s going on with the numbering!
Fred Paulsey and Sandy Wayne’s story was too miserable to really enjoy and it went nowhere, ending in some bizarre, open-ended fashion that was unsatisfying. Longfingers and the rest of the evil coven remain at large, having spent the book popping up now and then to battle Goon and his men. There was also this weak romance story between Goon and Some Lady which you knew wasn’t going to end well and, of course, didn’t.
Instead this book was mostly about a bastard getting even with his step-brother for the way their dad treated his mum. It read like a watered down version of a Sin City story only it wasn’t dark enough without enough bite.
The story I really liked was Willie Nagel’s origin which is sad like every other story here, but was an engaging aside. Revenge Shit Giuseppe was another mad character who gets thrown in now and then for comic relief but it’s a momentary respite of silliness before plunging back into the despair.
Powell’s art continues to be truly impressive switching from a variety of styles that also intelligently utilises space to tell the various tales. If Powell’s writing sometimes fluctuates across the many Goon books, the one constant is his far-ranging and wonderful illustration skills that make his comics stand out.
Unfortunately though the many stories that make up Occasion of Revenge don’t add up to much. It reads more like an extended prologue than its own story with several odds and ends thrown in for padding. That’s not to say it’s an unenjoyable read, it’s just not of the same calibre as some of Powell’s better Goon books. Of course I’m coming back for the next arc though I’m hoping the story is a bit tighter.
September 4, 2024
After a few volumes of random stories, Powell returns to create a longer narrative that combined with the next volume seems to wrap up the series in a bow. We learn more about the curse and origin of the Town with No Name. We get some explanation of why these baddies want to torture and punish The Goon (to create more power!).
The Zombie Priest is seemingly taken over by his brethren - witches, sorcerers and other monsters. They launch a final attack on Goon.
We get an origin story of the talking slackjaw Willie Nagel.
Great artwork throughout. Powell is doing some really creative work with coloring.
The Zombie Priest is seemingly taken over by his brethren - witches, sorcerers and other monsters. They launch a final attack on Goon.
We get an origin story of the talking slackjaw Willie Nagel.
Great artwork throughout. Powell is doing some really creative work with coloring.
May 21, 2020
Sad and dark tone of Goon is back, few more things from history are revealed and everything is pointing towards final face of with race of priests. Both sides are gathering allies, and Goon is pushed to the limit of despair he can handle.
September 24, 2015
I wrote a review of this, in my column, at this comic book website:
http://punchingthewallsofreality.com/...
http://punchingthewallsofreality.com/...
June 5, 2016
It's Goon. It's Franky. 'Nuff said.
January 26, 2016
The art is outstanding, very eye catching. The story was decent, not very memorable to me... basically I couldn't tell you want it was about lol.
September 1, 2014
The Goon is a mixed bag in terms of story styles. At times plainly silly in its use of zombies, mobsters, and small town tropes, while at other times more focused on steadier depictions of the lives of Goon, Frankie, and the denizens of their nameless town as they deal with the supernatural and the eventual miseries that plague their home. One thing is consistent: Three Stooges-style violence and inanity that only gives way when the story builds to the occasional - and completely essential - dramatic crises which Powell makes sure to arc around to on a regular basis. Occasion of Revenge is the latest dramatic climax in which some of the primary plot threads from the earliest issues are finally cast into completely new light. The Zombie Priest - the earliest and most consistent threat to the Goon's turf - has allied himself with the Goon's cohorts to fend off a takeover of the town by the Coven of "Priests" to which the Zombie Priest originally belonged before he killed one of their 'brothers' and became a rogue in exile. The most fascinating piece of the tale is the side story which continues to unravel the essence of the curse that makes the town itself a place of endless misery. Powell is delivering the goods here far beyond the expectations of this reader who has waited through inconsistent publishing schedules for the last two years to see how this long-awaited and built up storyline would unfold. The brilliance is that you could really jump on to the Goon here if you wished. The storytelling somehow manages to recap the essentials of the entire series without insulting long-time readers (I've been on board since Dark Horse published their Goon #2 a decade or so ago.) Occasion of Revenge is an occasion for celebration of Powell's growth into one of comics most unique storytellers. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
July 23, 2025
Eric Powell takes a much darker tone with the latest edition of The Goon. It's all out war between the Goon and The zombie priest's former coven. A lot of the humor is gone and the story has gotten a lot more somber.
June 30, 2025
Well after a month hiatus of reading through this series, I finally got back in. And boy, if I hadn't liked the last few volumes wholeheartedly, this one fixes that problem.
Easily the best volume so far, Powell does an amazing job of depicting the trauma and sadness that lurks behind almost every character in The Goon. I read this in two sitting, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the impact for the whole day in between. If this is the last legs of the comic, I'm more excited than ever (and a little scared) to finish the series. Wish me luck ladies and gents.
Poor Kid Gargantuan. The colour shift in his scene, and the harpy was insanely well done.
Easily the best volume so far, Powell does an amazing job of depicting the trauma and sadness that lurks behind almost every character in The Goon. I read this in two sitting, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the impact for the whole day in between. If this is the last legs of the comic, I'm more excited than ever (and a little scared) to finish the series. Wish me luck ladies and gents.
Poor Kid Gargantuan. The colour shift in his scene, and the harpy was insanely well done.
June 2, 2020
(4 of 5 for this prelude (I guess) for Goon's big war with unnatural forces)
The previous book was some kind of weirdness, but now we're getting back on track. It's one of the serious and rather grim track, but at least it makes sense and moves the story forward. I enjoyed that, even it was again too little in this book. It leaves me thinking about how it would be for me reading this by issues "up to date". It would peel my skin off, I suppose.
The previous book was some kind of weirdness, but now we're getting back on track. It's one of the serious and rather grim track, but at least it makes sense and moves the story forward. I enjoyed that, even it was again too little in this book. It leaves me thinking about how it would be for me reading this by issues "up to date". It would peel my skin off, I suppose.
May 1, 2015
Still a cut above the rest. This author always delivers.
The series is taking a different turn. It developed an utterly serious tone without all the lovely comedy of the issues prior. I miss the random. I miss the senslessness of the past.
The series is taking a different turn. It developed an utterly serious tone without all the lovely comedy of the issues prior. I miss the random. I miss the senslessness of the past.
August 17, 2015
Another solid Goon book. This one is a bit all over the place, swiftly changing in mood and focus, but it's never dull. Much darker than some of Powell's earlier stuff, but still highly enjoyable and one of a kind.
October 27, 2017
I read this damn fuckin thing out of order and now I'm pissed at myself.
Whatever. Long live the Goon. I'd dress as the Goon for every Halloween and comicon if I thought people would know who I was.
Whatever. Long live the Goon. I'd dress as the Goon for every Halloween and comicon if I thought people would know who I was.
May 14, 2020
I a recent fan of The Goon and I can't get enough. The series has just the right mix of humor and the macabre.
I was sad that the Goon's romance ended badly, but I knew it was coming from the moment he met her.
I was sad that the Goon's romance ended badly, but I knew it was coming from the moment he met her.
July 19, 2015
I'd been waiting a long time for this trade to come out and it was worth every moment. One of the better Goon stories I've read, and all of the Goon books are great.
May 14, 2024
Jesus Christ mate, this might be the best Goon so far
June 22, 2016
There is no doubt that Eric Powell’s Goon series stands as one of the most unique comic works out there. Especially when you look at the earlier issues, Powell had managed somehow to mix horror, fantasy and comedy with a compelling story and a – what I’m going to call gangster/depression era motif. Now, more than 15 years later Occasion of Revenge finds us at a bit of a crossroads to the series. Or maybe we’re way passed that…
Sadly, the wit and playfulness which we’ve loved has become less and less prominent in the book, and it’s come to a climax in Occasion of Revenge. It’s all tragedy now with a strange sense of despair. As bad as things have always been in the Goon’s town, there was always an underlining sense of duty, doing what’s right, and the possibilities that it would bring. And you might as well have some fun while you’re getting it done. Occasion of Revenge definitely tries to tell stories but they're all so gloomy and tragic. And how all these women can be so one-dimensional baffles me. It must explain why they all look the same.
That’s not to say there aren’t bright spots: Powell’s artwork is the best it’s ever looked and marks a high point for the series. The pages perfectly compliment the misfortune of the story. And that’s what’s really sad about Once Upon a Hard Time: it looks great, but story-wise it’s just not what we have come to expect from a great series.
Sadly, the wit and playfulness which we’ve loved has become less and less prominent in the book, and it’s come to a climax in Occasion of Revenge. It’s all tragedy now with a strange sense of despair. As bad as things have always been in the Goon’s town, there was always an underlining sense of duty, doing what’s right, and the possibilities that it would bring. And you might as well have some fun while you’re getting it done. Occasion of Revenge definitely tries to tell stories but they're all so gloomy and tragic. And how all these women can be so one-dimensional baffles me. It must explain why they all look the same.
That’s not to say there aren’t bright spots: Powell’s artwork is the best it’s ever looked and marks a high point for the series. The pages perfectly compliment the misfortune of the story. And that’s what’s really sad about Once Upon a Hard Time: it looks great, but story-wise it’s just not what we have come to expect from a great series.
August 7, 2017
The previous volume had veered off into being too silly with no story structure - I guess Eric felt up to writing the drama again and he brought it big time. One of the darkest Goon collections yet in terms of how it ends. I kind of wish for Goon at his best - drama PLUS humour - but this story was so dark I guess Eric couldn't fit the humour in. Overall a solid tale, even if it ended on a cliff hanger.
April 9, 2018
It's been a little while since I've read a Goon graphic novel. The Goon: Occasion of Revenge, volume 14 in the series, was entertaining and beautifully illustrated. The story, since it's been a little while since I've read volume 13, was a little lost on me. Couldn't remember all the characters and the overall storyline. But it was still good!
April 30, 2025
Powell continues to fail the "write a woman who's not an evil temptress" challenge (there's TWO of his worst yet in this volume), but sadly this is also some of his finest horror work. Longfingers and Kid Galahad will haunt my nightmares.
December 18, 2014
The Best Goon book I've read in a long, long time. I'd say this is some of the best writing and art that Powell has done.
March 28, 2015
Lacks the subtlety necessary to make the pain come true.
June 20, 2023
Paced a bit too fast. Would have been nice to get more setup in.
July 5, 2025
Review is for 15 volumes binged over three days
I don't know how I missed this during it's initial run, but - small favors - now I got to enjoy it with no waiting.
For such a long run there is surprisingly little difference in quality, occasionally dipping to excellent from exceptional and dragging - as most tales do - when it moves away from the episodic and into an ongoing tale.
I don't know how I missed this during it's initial run, but - small favors - now I got to enjoy it with no waiting.
For such a long run there is surprisingly little difference in quality, occasionally dipping to excellent from exceptional and dragging - as most tales do - when it moves away from the episodic and into an ongoing tale.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews