What do you think?
Rate this book
The Goon Library Editions
The Goon Library Volume 1
Lonely Street comes under all manner of threats both tragic and hilarious in this deluxe hardcover edition of The Goon.
The Nameless Man, the Zombie Priest, has come to town to build a gang from the undead. Yet even with an unlimited supply of soldiers, the Priest cannot move in on the territory controlled by the crime boss Labrizio and his unstoppable enforcer--the Goon. But when the Priest discovers Goon's most closely held secret the balance of power threatens to change forever!
Collects The Goon volumes 0-3.
The Nameless Man, the Zombie Priest, has come to town to build a gang from the undead. Yet even with an unlimited supply of soldiers, the Priest cannot move in on the territory controlled by the crime boss Labrizio and his unstoppable enforcer--the Goon. But when the Priest discovers Goon's most closely held secret the balance of power threatens to change forever!
Collects The Goon volumes 0-3.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published November 24, 2015
6 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Eric Powell
504 books281 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 4, 2021
"Knife to the eye!"
Holy cow do I love The Goon! So Library Volume 1 consists of Volumes 0-3 and it's a big book! Just about 500 pages in oversized format and the artwork is incredible. Reading comics in this size is the only way we should ever read comics, so I highly recommend picking this up over trade paperbacks any day. And for whatever I paid...$27 US?...that's nothing. I am floored to own this behemoth!
Well...I'm not going to review all four volumes. No thanks! I've reviewed volumes 0-2 individually already, so if you really want my 2¢ I'll provide the links here. Volume 4 is more awesomeness, involving vampires, aliens, zombies, giant gorillas, a cursed seductress, and a Hellboy crossover. But still no Chinatown! That comes later, I guess. Here are those links:
(Volume #0, Volume #1, Volume #2.)
But just know that The Goon is at the tippy top of my favorites, nearly more so than Batman and I own more Batman graphic novels than anything else, almost more than all my others combined. But why? Batman is kind of a one trick pony. Don't get me wrong, he's my favorite superhero of all time. But he's still a superhero, and that genre is limiting. It doesn't allow for the type of no-holds-barred comedic fuckery and general insanity that you can get away with in indie comics. And The Goon is just that.
What I love about The Goon is, well, pretty much everything. It's dark, violent, hilarious, wacky, supernatural, dramatic, hyperbolic, satirical. The characters are the best, the weirdest, the meanest and ugliest and creepiest. And they're everything and spoof just about everyone, from horror monsters to mobsters to carnies to evil scientists. The humor and Eric Powell's hyper-self-awareness is what sells it the most for me, just the fact that he knows this is weird as shit and he doesn't care if you like it or not, doesn't care if he crosses the line, knife to the eye or boot to the head, he gives zero fucks about political correctness. And yet he draws, both literally and figuratively, the little guys and girls the biggest, the freaks, the marginalized and bullied, the hurt, and gives them their day.
And if the writing wasn't perfect enough, Eric Powell is a phenomenal artist, illustrating his own work and oil painting his covers. Seriously. Who the fuck does that? There are very few art pieces I wish to own, let alone wish to have tattooed, but I'm telling you, The Goon is beautifully and masterfully illustrated.
So if you're unfamiliar with The Goon, crawl out from under that rock and sprint to your local library or comic book store right now. If you're a fan, get your hands on the Library volumes before they sell out, because they will change your life.
March 6, 2017
Well this was much better than I was expecting truth be told.
It's such a unique comic with many loyal followers and you can kind of see why.
It's definitely an adult comic and starts off in a very strange and quirky way. No introductions just dives straight in. Introductions come later on, which is good.
It seems to get better, but never above a 3 star for me. It's fun to read and you get close to the characters, and there's even a tie in issue with hellboy which is funny and strange all at the same time.
Overall a very quirky and out there comic with british humour and also a very dark sense of humour.
I can see why people love this, but i'm not sure it's my cup of tea to continue. See how British i am....Tea!
It's such a unique comic with many loyal followers and you can kind of see why.
It's definitely an adult comic and starts off in a very strange and quirky way. No introductions just dives straight in. Introductions come later on, which is good.
It seems to get better, but never above a 3 star for me. It's fun to read and you get close to the characters, and there's even a tie in issue with hellboy which is funny and strange all at the same time.
Overall a very quirky and out there comic with british humour and also a very dark sense of humour.
I can see why people love this, but i'm not sure it's my cup of tea to continue. See how British i am....Tea!
October 7, 2024
To jest połączenie grozy z bardzo czarnym humorem i to zaskakująco dobrze do siebie pasuje.
August 29, 2019
Full Effing Stars for this one.
It's been a long time since I wanted to finish reading The Goon series. Just like I was introduced to Hellboy, I read random Goon from here and there, totally disjointed but ever amused by the art, characters and the story. I finally got my hands on the first Library Edition and got into it. The other Library Editions were bought over couple of months and I lost track of the story. This is the 3rd time I have read through volume 1 to jog my memory and I intend to finish reading all volumes this time.
As for the book itself, Eric Powell's Goon has the same charm that hooked me into the Hellboy. Either that or I am just messed up that I love humour and horror together. Eric Powell's art and the characters, the oddball humour, everything goes so well to build the story which initially feels like oneshots but by the end of volume 1 it feels like its a superb universe to explore more.
Not everyday does a book get a 5 star and this one just deserves that so much. Love it.
It's been a long time since I wanted to finish reading The Goon series. Just like I was introduced to Hellboy, I read random Goon from here and there, totally disjointed but ever amused by the art, characters and the story. I finally got my hands on the first Library Edition and got into it. The other Library Editions were bought over couple of months and I lost track of the story. This is the 3rd time I have read through volume 1 to jog my memory and I intend to finish reading all volumes this time.
As for the book itself, Eric Powell's Goon has the same charm that hooked me into the Hellboy. Either that or I am just messed up that I love humour and horror together. Eric Powell's art and the characters, the oddball humour, everything goes so well to build the story which initially feels like oneshots but by the end of volume 1 it feels like its a superb universe to explore more.
Not everyday does a book get a 5 star and this one just deserves that so much. Love it.
August 26, 2016
There is a predilection I have for comedy of the slightly infantile, politically incorrect, gross-out variety. I admit this fully. It's a cross I've borne for aeons, having to keep telling myself I was beyond this, that I was an adult. That I should really stop consuming the stuff. No Sir, prestigious it most definitely ain't, which explains why for a while I've revealed this part of myself only to my closest friends.
Of course, I do prefer subtle, multi-layered, witty humour - after all, it is the more intellectually stimulating of the two - but sometimes a man just wants to regress, to go back to that very primal place. Where everything is simple. Enter Eric Powell's The Goon, a perfect gateway for just that.
Now I've heard about this series for quite some time now, yet have never had the chance to pick it up. So when Dark Horse announced it was reprinting the entire thing in oversized, hardcover library editions I pounced, ready to get a part of the action.
And boy, is this comic dumb. I mean, real dumb. It's everything a pubescent child could ever hope for. I'm almost sorry for not having encountered it sooner, it would surely have been my rock all through childhood. Containing a healthy assortment of risqué, lowbrow humour and cartoony violence, The Goon takes EC Comics, 50's Sci-fi, pulp fiction and blends them into a delightful purée which is wholly unique.
Powell is a maniac, folks. Nothing is sacred in this. Yet, underneath all of the goofiness and dark comedy, there lies a heart, a poignancy, which I didn't expect. It's definitely something I hope to see more of.
The biggest selling point of this volume is undoubtedly the art. While his skill as a writer isn't really there yet (after all, Powell was but a mere whelp when he started The Goon), the art truly shines. Clear, vibrant and totally in sync with the subject matter. The covers especially are all worthy of being framed and hung on a wall in a museum dedicated to popular culture.
Nothing would please me more than to give this tome a generous 4 stars, but honesty commands me to scale it back to 3, because of the inconsistency in certain places. Powell was still experimenting, after all. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that the second volume will rectify this. Hail the Goon!
Of course, I do prefer subtle, multi-layered, witty humour - after all, it is the more intellectually stimulating of the two - but sometimes a man just wants to regress, to go back to that very primal place. Where everything is simple. Enter Eric Powell's The Goon, a perfect gateway for just that.
Now I've heard about this series for quite some time now, yet have never had the chance to pick it up. So when Dark Horse announced it was reprinting the entire thing in oversized, hardcover library editions I pounced, ready to get a part of the action.
And boy, is this comic dumb. I mean, real dumb. It's everything a pubescent child could ever hope for. I'm almost sorry for not having encountered it sooner, it would surely have been my rock all through childhood. Containing a healthy assortment of risqué, lowbrow humour and cartoony violence, The Goon takes EC Comics, 50's Sci-fi, pulp fiction and blends them into a delightful purée which is wholly unique.
Powell is a maniac, folks. Nothing is sacred in this. Yet, underneath all of the goofiness and dark comedy, there lies a heart, a poignancy, which I didn't expect. It's definitely something I hope to see more of.
The biggest selling point of this volume is undoubtedly the art. While his skill as a writer isn't really there yet (after all, Powell was but a mere whelp when he started The Goon), the art truly shines. Clear, vibrant and totally in sync with the subject matter. The covers especially are all worthy of being framed and hung on a wall in a museum dedicated to popular culture.
Nothing would please me more than to give this tome a generous 4 stars, but honesty commands me to scale it back to 3, because of the inconsistency in certain places. Powell was still experimenting, after all. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that the second volume will rectify this. Hail the Goon!
November 23, 2015
I've heard about this series for years. The author has won at least one Eisner (the comic book industry version of the Oscars). His award for best single issue of the year is contained in this collection just over half way thru the book. It was a great issue with good emotional depth.
The author apologizes for some of the early work as he was still working on his art and writing skills. The writing (and art) improves as the book continues to develop. I haven't fallen in love with it but I'm planning on picking up the next volume when it comes out early next year.
If you can find this cheaply (my copy was $21) it's a great value when you look at content to price.
The author apologizes for some of the early work as he was still working on his art and writing skills. The writing (and art) improves as the book continues to develop. I haven't fallen in love with it but I'm planning on picking up the next volume when it comes out early next year.
If you can find this cheaply (my copy was $21) it's a great value when you look at content to price.
July 11, 2016
Horror is typically not my "thing", especially zombie stuff. I decided to give it a try based on others' review and with the hopes that the humor would make it palatable for me.
By the time I reached the end of this volume I got it. It's a strange area of a town where all manners of creatures live, fight, and play together. While the plot is relatively "simple", it's supposed to be. Some of it is satire and some of it is supposed to be just fun and crazy. The humor isn't quite laugh out loud enough for me, but it is definitely there. By the last third of the volume you finally get a sense of how the "world" works and where everybody stands in relation to each other.
The art is outstanding though. It's a little rough in the beginning but sharpens up nicely later on and Powell's painted covers are phenomenal.
This is truly a unique book and I liked it enough to give the next volume a try.
By the time I reached the end of this volume I got it. It's a strange area of a town where all manners of creatures live, fight, and play together. While the plot is relatively "simple", it's supposed to be. Some of it is satire and some of it is supposed to be just fun and crazy. The humor isn't quite laugh out loud enough for me, but it is definitely there. By the last third of the volume you finally get a sense of how the "world" works and where everybody stands in relation to each other.
The art is outstanding though. It's a little rough in the beginning but sharpens up nicely later on and Powell's painted covers are phenomenal.
This is truly a unique book and I liked it enough to give the next volume a try.
August 20, 2016
This is The Goon. 'Nuff said.
I just love this title, and it's been one of my favorites since the mid-2000s.
I just love this title, and it's been one of my favorites since the mid-2000s.
October 23, 2019
I just finished some crap made by a 12 year old asshole who can draw pretty decent. 🙄
October 18, 2021
O ile w kolejnych tomach jest kilka ambitniejszych historii, tutaj głównie pulpa i nie muszę chyba dodawać, że zabawa jest naprawdę przednia. Mam sporo szacunku dla tej serii, a tom pierwszy jest najgłupszy, ale i najrówniejszy i to się wcale nie kłóci. Koniecznie
August 26, 2024
The Goon is completely unique, hilarious and you immediately like the main characters and their regular side characters like Merle. The Goon has some great horror and the horror elements can be hilarious. Some of the singular page stories fantastic too👌
December 9, 2015
The art and the presentation are great, the story less...
May 13, 2019
DID NOT FINISH. I made it to page 218 & I realized that not only had I not laughed or even smiled after reading this many pages of this so-called funny book but I was even getting a little ticked off at the ham-fisted jokes and how obviously the author thought he was being quite the puckish hoot. Hey the art ain't bad in a sloppy, chaotic fashion but the writing is abysmal. The Goon himself ain't a bad idea for a character but Eric Powell doesn't have any story-telling chops at all, every story can be summed up as the Goon runs into trouble against zombies, ghosts, bums, whatever but he somehow figures out how to beat the living crap out of all his enemies and ends up on top victorious by the end of it. I'm sorry Mr. Powell, I thought I'd give this a shot against my better judgement after having read the Free Comic Book Day edition of Grumble vs. The Goon, but after 218 pages of this mirthless, lifeless & joyless shambles I'm gonna have to put this in the "better left unread" pile.
February 3, 2021
Absolútne nechápem to pobláznenie prvým volume, ktoré vidím v recenziách. Mňa teda priemerné príbehy Goona a Frankyho nijak zvlášť neohromili. Samozrejme dejová linka s Buzzardom je zaujímavá a snáď sa dočkáme jeho comebacku, s touto postavou si dokážem predstaviť aj samostatnú sériu. Avšak hlavný záporák - The Priest sa zatiaľ chová ako Gargamel zo Šmolkov, ktorého každý nápad zmarí Goon alebo jeho vlastná hlúposť (čo nie je nijak zvlášť vtipné). Príbeh so španielsky hovoriacim jašterom - El Hombre de Lagartom ma skôr sral, než bavil a preto dúfam, že v ďalšom volume ho už nestretneme. Každopádne obrovské pozitívum komiksu je výtvarné spracovanie, ktoré zvládol vtedy ešte len začiatočník Eric Powell úžasne. Široká farebná škála dopĺňajúca kresbu je pastva pre oči. Niekedy má človek pocit, že si prezerá umelecké dielo namiesto komiksu. The Goon je komiks, ktorý získal viacero Eisner Awards a preto verím, že sa kvalita príbehov bude posúvať len vyššie.
May 1, 2019
I bought this edition of The Goon at a con 2 years ago, because it was cheap and looked kinda cool, i heard some good stuff and also know it has won some Eisner awards. Soo i decided to finally check it out. Man this is my jam !!! Loved it so much. Its Horror, its b type monster movies, itd badshit crazy ! And most of all this shit is funny as hell ! It looks like a kid comic with very unuasual artwork, but when you start to look better, its really great artwork. The oversized artwork helps alot. I had such a blast with it, it is just so easy and fun to read. There is also a beautifull underlying story underneat, i am blown away by this one to be honest. I want the other library editions! I know there hard to get but a comic fan can dream😴
May 11, 2025
(This review covers the complete series)
A chaotic blend of horror, comedy, and pulp action, the series follows a tough enforcer and his loudmouthed sidekick as they battle zombies, monsters, and mobsters in a broken, bizarre town. The tone swings from absurd slapstick to surprisingly sincere, sometimes within a single issue, while the art shifts effortlessly from exaggerated humour to atmospheric, painterly detail.
A chaotic blend of horror, comedy, and pulp action, the series follows a tough enforcer and his loudmouthed sidekick as they battle zombies, monsters, and mobsters in a broken, bizarre town. The tone swings from absurd slapstick to surprisingly sincere, sometimes within a single issue, while the art shifts effortlessly from exaggerated humour to atmospheric, painterly detail.
January 9, 2021
Some of the art is neat, if not derivative of Mike Mignola. The writing didn’t work for me most of the time, though. It’s the Gen X equivalent of “lolrandom” humor and I find that more annoying than funny.
February 19, 2022
The 1930s inspired art is sensational...but the writing is repetitive, immature and rediculously unfunny. Read any random five pages and you already have every idea this book will bring to the table. The fact that this is a multiple Eisner Award winner just baffles my mind...
November 13, 2023
Nie wiem dlaczego tak długo zwlekałem z tym komiksem. Cholera ten komiks jest niezwykle zabawny. Humor jest świetny rysunki na poziomie. Powell w tym komiksie zrobił jedną rzecz za którą mega go szanuje. Eric włożył w te dzieło kilogramy kreatywności
August 19, 2017
This set (Vol 1 - 5 ) from Dark Horse is beautiful. The book is oversized and the pages are thick. Well worth picking up this series from Eric Powell.
October 12, 2017
4.5
Classic tough guy lingo + monsters + the three stooges +pathos + two-fisted action + surprisingly elegant art + a dash of toilet humor (okay, a BIG dash) = The Goon = Excellent!
Classic tough guy lingo + monsters + the three stooges +pathos + two-fisted action + surprisingly elegant art + a dash of toilet humor (okay, a BIG dash) = The Goon = Excellent!
October 5, 2018
Well... as others have said bevore: Early work and childish humour. Like the setting, find it funny, but ultimately it is rathe fit to a comic atrip in a mag somewhere than a giant library edition.
August 17, 2021
This is a STRONG Four because I hear it gets better from here on. If this was standalone it'd easily be a Five.
January 26, 2022
It’s ugly, but like good ugly
July 31, 2022
Normally not quite my kind of story, but the craftsmanship of the art is phenomenal.
March 21, 2025
4.5 actually. Always loved me some Goon!!
November 28, 2015
Why oh why didn’t I start reading “the Goon” earlier? If Frank Cho, David Fincher and Mike Mignola approve of Eric Powell’s signature series, it clearly must’ve been good. So why didn’t I follow up on their advice any sooner..?!
On the plus side, with so much material already out there, there’s no need for me to wait for each new publication. Better still, I can dive straight into the deep end without any water-wings and indulge in Dark Horse’s truly gargantuan “The Goon - Library volume #1”, which combines the first 4 TPB’s and a truckload of awesome extra’s!
“The Goon” mixes Hellboy, Sin City and Chuck Jones into one delicious, pulpy mix. In a 1930’s metropolis, the Goon is a big, not-so-dumb gangster-enforcer defending his own territory. A full-time job when there’s a zombie priest moving into town to build a rival gang from the undead. Between zombies, fashionable vampires, floating octopi, fighting robots and inflatable poultry, the Goon will have his work cut out.
While “the Goon” might appear as a mash-up of gangsters and creepers, Powell manages to bend his world into all shapes and forms. It doesn’t just combine lowbrow laughs with science fiction and horror-elements; it effortlessly moves from comedy to angst and real drama. Especially Goon’s backstory – only hinted at in this volume, but coming to full bloom in the later “Chinatown and The Mystery of Mr. Wicker” – is a surprisingly emotional and effective part of the complete package.
It’s a lot more clever than it might initially appear. And while Powell himself humorously criticizes any over-evaluating of his series and we shouldn’t look too deeply into any symbolism, the man deserves credit for creating a series which is simultaneously heartfelt and fun.
Readers unfamiliar with the series will make an excellent first step into Powell’s world when purchasing the first library volume; while true fans can place it as the crown upon their existing collection. And then both groups can start counting down to February 2016, when the second library volume will be released.
Until that time, import some illegal Canadian club, grab a shovel, and have a damn good time (re-)reading the Goon!
On the plus side, with so much material already out there, there’s no need for me to wait for each new publication. Better still, I can dive straight into the deep end without any water-wings and indulge in Dark Horse’s truly gargantuan “The Goon - Library volume #1”, which combines the first 4 TPB’s and a truckload of awesome extra’s!
“The Goon” mixes Hellboy, Sin City and Chuck Jones into one delicious, pulpy mix. In a 1930’s metropolis, the Goon is a big, not-so-dumb gangster-enforcer defending his own territory. A full-time job when there’s a zombie priest moving into town to build a rival gang from the undead. Between zombies, fashionable vampires, floating octopi, fighting robots and inflatable poultry, the Goon will have his work cut out.
While “the Goon” might appear as a mash-up of gangsters and creepers, Powell manages to bend his world into all shapes and forms. It doesn’t just combine lowbrow laughs with science fiction and horror-elements; it effortlessly moves from comedy to angst and real drama. Especially Goon’s backstory – only hinted at in this volume, but coming to full bloom in the later “Chinatown and The Mystery of Mr. Wicker” – is a surprisingly emotional and effective part of the complete package.
It’s a lot more clever than it might initially appear. And while Powell himself humorously criticizes any over-evaluating of his series and we shouldn’t look too deeply into any symbolism, the man deserves credit for creating a series which is simultaneously heartfelt and fun.
Readers unfamiliar with the series will make an excellent first step into Powell’s world when purchasing the first library volume; while true fans can place it as the crown upon their existing collection. And then both groups can start counting down to February 2016, when the second library volume will be released.
Until that time, import some illegal Canadian club, grab a shovel, and have a damn good time (re-)reading the Goon!
April 13, 2016
The Goon Library Edition Vol.1!!! Finally, I got to read Goon from the start! I have the Fancy Pants Edition vol.2 & 3, but vol. 1 is near impossible to find at reasonable prices ($300 for a new copy). So when they announced a Library Edition, I definitely must fuckin' have it! I've always really been interested with this series. I mean, where else could you read about impaling zombies, beating up fish people, flaming orangutans, knife in the eye, and more! You have Goon, the big tough guy, right-hand man of Labrazio, and sole protector of their small town; and Franky, his trusty sidekick who tries to beat everything else that escapes Goon's fists. We join these two as they punch/kick/stab their way through zombies, or even the townsfolk themselves. We join them have drinks at Norton's Pub and encounter drunk werewolves, a spider who cheats at card games, or vampiric dames. It's just simple all-around fun! Until someone gets stabbed in the eye, in which case, it gets funnier! I can't wait to get volume 2, and 3, since it's already out. Hope they beat up some fuckin' old woman with Alzheimer's and no legs. They already shot a underwear-shittin-retard in this one. Awesome work Eric Powell!
Hmm... Wonder if I should sell my Fancy Pants Editions since the Library Edition will cover the rest of the issues? But the Fancy Pants Editions are signed!
Hmm... Wonder if I should sell my Fancy Pants Editions since the Library Edition will cover the rest of the issues? But the Fancy Pants Editions are signed!
March 4, 2016
Representing the first five years of writing and drawing the Goon, this volume starts out as silly gory-horror comedy-hijinks, but quickly develops into an hilarious, zany, masterful creation. Powell seems to have an instinctive understanding of the sequential art page, combining timing, daft imaginative inventions, and consummate draftsmanship. As dark as some of his humor is, a couple of these issues had me laughing out loud. Powell takes the stock archetypal characters, thugs, zombies, vampires, werewolves, femme fatales, monsters and morons, and puts his own twist on them, like the heroic sheriff turned zombie who only eats other zombies instead of the living and craves nothing more than to die. I seriously doubt the Goon could work in any other medium, but within comics, it is suis generis.
February 29, 2016
I really, really, love this comic. This is my third reread of some of these stories: I didn't really realize my first time that this book has the potential to really be seen as... discriminatory? I'm not sure what the word is that I'm looking for, but it vacillates between funny, and puerile, and offensive in the way that 12 year olds are? But I can imagine many different people I know really looking down their nose at this book as insensitive, and while I can't really disagree with it, I can't help but love this book. When it's not being gross and offensive, it's being very deeply moving. And holy shit the art. So incredible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews