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Goon Squad #1 - 3
Goon Squad: Year One
An ongoing, episodic prose comic from which the pictures are summoned by the magic of words, Goon Squad is set in an alternate version of modern-day Manchester. Its biggest divergence from the real city is that it--along with most other large urban centers--has a team of superheroes to protect it against unusual threats with which the conventional forces of law and order would have problems.
Goon Squad: Year One features three action-packed volumes in a single collection: Goon Squad: Special Talents, Goon Squad: Without Sin, and Goon Squad: Old Enemies.
Goon Squad: Year One features three action-packed volumes in a single collection: Goon Squad: Special Talents, Goon Squad: Without Sin, and Goon Squad: Old Enemies.
Audible Audio
First published November 8, 2016
8 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan L. Howard
65 books2,096 followersJonathan L Howard is a game designer, scriptwriter, and a veteran of the computer games industry since the early 1990s, with titles such as the 'Broken Sword' series to his credit.
After publishing two short stories featuring Johannes Cabal (Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day and Exeunt Demon King) in H. P. Lovecraft's Magazine of Horror, Johannes Cabal the Necromancer was published in 2009 as his first novel.
Since then there have been three sequels, with a fourth due in 2016. He has also written two novels in the YA SF "Russalka Chronicles" series, and the ongoing "Goon Squad" serial of superhero stories. October 2015 will see the publication of "Carter & Lovecraft," the first in a new series of novels.
He lives with his wife and daughter near Bristol.
http://www.jonathanlhoward.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/JonathanLHoward
http://jonathanlhoward.livejournal.com/
After publishing two short stories featuring Johannes Cabal (Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day and Exeunt Demon King) in H. P. Lovecraft's Magazine of Horror, Johannes Cabal the Necromancer was published in 2009 as his first novel.
Since then there have been three sequels, with a fourth due in 2016. He has also written two novels in the YA SF "Russalka Chronicles" series, and the ongoing "Goon Squad" serial of superhero stories. October 2015 will see the publication of "Carter & Lovecraft," the first in a new series of novels.
He lives with his wife and daughter near Bristol.
http://www.jonathanlhoward.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/JonathanLHoward
http://jonathanlhoward.livejournal.com/
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 28, 2020
With "Goon Squad: Year One", Jonathan L. Howard pretty much does what he sets out to do, presenting a comic in prose form. Esentially, this is a loosely connected collection of short stories and the episodic format makes it an easy on-the-side-listen/read. While there isn't much of an overarching plot, the quirky characters quickly grow on you and Howard's fond descriptions of Manchester make the whole thing seem alive.
As always, Howard's writing is top notch, witty and charming. The narrators also do a great job, although at times it becomes a bit messy when Ian (the undead detective) is read by two different narrators within the same story.
Overall a fun experience.
As always, Howard's writing is top notch, witty and charming. The narrators also do a great job, although at times it becomes a bit messy when Ian (the undead detective) is read by two different narrators within the same story.
Overall a fun experience.
June 15, 2021
More like a 3.5. Quirky. I enjoyed this. It was fun with just enough layers to keep it interesting. I can't but wonder what year two will bring.
October 5, 2020
Book Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5 stars)
Audio Book Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5 Stars)
Total Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5 stars)
Meet the Goon Squad…protectors of modern-day Manchester against rogue talents and other criminal scum. Join Nadiya Kysla as she is requisitioned as “Puppet Girl” for the Goon Squad, a name given to her due to her empathetic abilities…and more! But being a “goon” isn’t like typical law enforcement; with her new team – Ian the Dead Man, Gilbert the “Red Wolf”, and Talos the Robot – they are faced with challenges they can’t even begin to fathom.
The heart of the Goon Squad really comes from the characters. Each of these characters, called “talents” rather than superheroes, are unique not only by their abilities, but by how they stomp out different tropes in superhero fiction. When I first met Nadiya, I thought I would be getting a stereotypical, chaotic, Harley Quinn type of anti-hero. I am so glad I was wrong! Instead we receive a female lead who has innate empathic abilities…and more! She likes having fun, loves her plush panda, and wants to do what is right. Then there’s Gilbert, the Red Wolf, who is so determined to be a good person that villains often fail to find “dirt” on him. He spends his time fighting down the wolf inside of him, making him both the heart and the strength of the squad. Then there’s Ian Mears, the walking dead man: sarcastic, witty, he is probably the most stereotypical type of character…but in all the best ways! A team like this needs someone to “tell it how it is” after all. The only character that really remains elusive is Talos, but based on the ending of book 3, that is with reason.
As fun as the multiple stories throughout the audio rendition are, I think the episodic nature of each chapter didn’t always work. I understand it was supposed to be like a comic book, and I could picture each scene as a comic book, but as an audio book, it left something to be desired. Possibly if I read this on my kindle instead, I might have been a bit more engaged. So I can’t say if it was the writing or narrator that left me distracted.
I can totally picture this as a comic or TV show though! The author’s goal was to paint a comic with prose, and he did do just that! And with a cliff hanger like that…I am sure to pick up the next part when it is released!
So if you want some darker, but still heroic, deeds…check out Goon Squad! It’s fun and worth the ride!
Audio Book Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5 Stars)
Total Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5 stars)
Meet the Goon Squad…protectors of modern-day Manchester against rogue talents and other criminal scum. Join Nadiya Kysla as she is requisitioned as “Puppet Girl” for the Goon Squad, a name given to her due to her empathetic abilities…and more! But being a “goon” isn’t like typical law enforcement; with her new team – Ian the Dead Man, Gilbert the “Red Wolf”, and Talos the Robot – they are faced with challenges they can’t even begin to fathom.
The heart of the Goon Squad really comes from the characters. Each of these characters, called “talents” rather than superheroes, are unique not only by their abilities, but by how they stomp out different tropes in superhero fiction. When I first met Nadiya, I thought I would be getting a stereotypical, chaotic, Harley Quinn type of anti-hero. I am so glad I was wrong! Instead we receive a female lead who has innate empathic abilities…and more! She likes having fun, loves her plush panda, and wants to do what is right. Then there’s Gilbert, the Red Wolf, who is so determined to be a good person that villains often fail to find “dirt” on him. He spends his time fighting down the wolf inside of him, making him both the heart and the strength of the squad. Then there’s Ian Mears, the walking dead man: sarcastic, witty, he is probably the most stereotypical type of character…but in all the best ways! A team like this needs someone to “tell it how it is” after all. The only character that really remains elusive is Talos, but based on the ending of book 3, that is with reason.
As fun as the multiple stories throughout the audio rendition are, I think the episodic nature of each chapter didn’t always work. I understand it was supposed to be like a comic book, and I could picture each scene as a comic book, but as an audio book, it left something to be desired. Possibly if I read this on my kindle instead, I might have been a bit more engaged. So I can’t say if it was the writing or narrator that left me distracted.
I can totally picture this as a comic or TV show though! The author’s goal was to paint a comic with prose, and he did do just that! And with a cliff hanger like that…I am sure to pick up the next part when it is released!
So if you want some darker, but still heroic, deeds…check out Goon Squad! It’s fun and worth the ride!
October 25, 2020
Good characters and a fun series of adventures, which earned this 4 stars for enjoyability. This version includes all three currently available volumes, each consisting of a series of episodes. I've listened to a few other attempts to convert a graphic novel-type story to written/audio and this is the most successful.
Unfortunately, it has a typical failing: one strong female character, nominally the lead, but the other main characters are male. Within volume one, other than a line or two for a woman in a bar, I don't recall there being any other female characters at all. It does include a girlfriend for one character (she's given a name at the end of volume two, however, it's all about propping up the boyfriend [admittedly he's a great character] and she isn't really given any character development of her own [yet?]). It does pass the Bechdel test, eventually, barely, through a named female police officer (also near the end of volume two) having a very brief conversation with the lead female character, and another named female character introduced for a short bit in volume three. Bonus points for diversity within the small cast of characters (one Black male main character, one secondary female character is deaf and another is of South Asian descent).
The primary narrator, Gabrielle de Cuir, is excellent. There are some sections that are other narrators (done in a way that makes sense as a character is telling a first-hand story). However, as much as I like Stefan Rudnicki's voice, he should avoid doing accents as he's not good at them and it's distracting. Gabrielle de Cuir isn't always great with the accents, either.
Unfortunately, it has a typical failing: one strong female character, nominally the lead, but the other main characters are male. Within volume one, other than a line or two for a woman in a bar, I don't recall there being any other female characters at all. It does include a girlfriend for one character (she's given a name at the end of volume two, however, it's all about propping up the boyfriend [admittedly he's a great character] and she isn't really given any character development of her own [yet?]). It does pass the Bechdel test, eventually, barely, through a named female police officer (also near the end of volume two) having a very brief conversation with the lead female character, and another named female character introduced for a short bit in volume three. Bonus points for diversity within the small cast of characters (one Black male main character, one secondary female character is deaf and another is of South Asian descent).
The primary narrator, Gabrielle de Cuir, is excellent. There are some sections that are other narrators (done in a way that makes sense as a character is telling a first-hand story). However, as much as I like Stefan Rudnicki's voice, he should avoid doing accents as he's not good at them and it's distracting. Gabrielle de Cuir isn't always great with the accents, either.
July 26, 2021
This collection seems to be all of the Goon Squad stories from a year of serialization. There are actually three short-ish collections gathered in the audio book. Comic books are not my usual genre, but I really like Howard's writing, so I gave it a go. These stories worked well in the audio edition; I would be interested, sometime, to check out what they look like on the page with the drawings. I found the stories to be uneven--some were definite 5s, and others were less engaging. I would read another one if I could find one.
February 2, 2019
Jonathan L. Howard is surprisingly prolific! This is a compilation of the first few issues of Howard's "Goon Squad" stories. The Goon Squad are a group of people with "special talents" who work with the police to fight crime. But each of the Goon Squad has problems of their own. It makes for a fun, rich adventure. I was sad when the book was over.
October 21, 2020
This is probably in my top 5 favorite audio books. This was the most fun. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud at this story. But there was a lot of heart and moments that made me smile too.
I need a sequel. Why is there no sequel? Gah!
I need a sequel. Why is there no sequel? Gah!
November 6, 2022
Like all things English, The Goon Squad is understated and subtle. The more I read the more I was drawn into the story and characters. The stories are imaginative and the description of Manchester's is really interesting.
January 19, 2023
I got this on audible and the soundtrack had different narrators and background noises which made it fun to listen to. Each character had a distinct personality. Some episodes end with minor cliffhangers. I will probably get the next one.
December 31, 2024
This is a really fun series! The characters are fun, the world is well built, and the stories were engaging. Plus I really liked all the narrators.
It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, leaving me keen to know more, but I don't know if there will be more in this series. I hope so, as I enjoyed this!
It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, leaving me keen to know more, but I don't know if there will be more in this series. I hope so, as I enjoyed this!
October 29, 2018
Less clever and less humorous than Cabal books, but still not bad. For a superhero novel action scenes are very well written and timed.
January 3, 2021
the series has potential. actual rating 3.5
October 4, 2021
fun stories
March 7, 2022
Fun story and characters.
September 21, 2018
The audio book is very well done and utilizes guest voice actors for certain segments as well as some sound effects. The stories are fast but engaging and the story arc itself is rather interesting that would did take me a little while to really get into it because it starts off with puppet girl being a new member so it can walk us into the whole concept. Despite being basically a superhero book, the stories are original and engaging avoid getting bogged down in tropes or cliches.
June 11, 2018
This is a well written group of pages with one unforgivable sin- The author refuses to just write an ending. This is a compendium of three books and the first two books end right after villains have started their crime sprees. DOES THAT SOUND LIKE AN ENDING TO YOU???? The third book ends with two big reveals - one an indicator that a hero long thought dead isn't and one about the nature of another hero that introduces a whole new story line. Add to this the fact that nothing significant is ever done with the over-all story line hinted at in the books (a grudge between the heroes and "The Terror" [I think, I can't be bothered to actually look up the villain's name]) and I can only come to conclusion that the author doesn't actually know anything about structuring a book.
Bottom line: The author is a good scene writer but a terrible novelist and wish I hadn't wasted my time since I was looking to read a book, not just a series of scenes.
Bottom line: The author is a good scene writer but a terrible novelist and wish I hadn't wasted my time since I was looking to read a book, not just a series of scenes.
January 16, 2018
Jonathan L. Howard does it again. If you liked his Cabal series, you’ll probably love the graphic novel-esque writing of this humorous adventure fiction detective agency series!
Meet the Goon Squad:
• Nadiya (aka Puppet Girl) the art school graduate turned anarcho-terrorist turned crime fighter.
• Ian (aka Revenant) detective turned living corpse
• Gilbert (aka Red Wolf), the frumpy as human but ripped as werewolf...werewolf
• Talos (aka War Machine/Robot) the mysterious colossal flying mega strong, mega resourceful, yet mega reclusive and prone to disappearing, robot
This action packed, hilarious Year One collection (15 or so individual stories) is brought to life by 2 phenomenal narrators - Gabrielle de Cuir & Nicholas Guy Smith. The fantastic writing and exceptional reading combine to make a set of stories that immediately become a movie in your mind as you listen. My imagination went into overdrive for this series and I wish there were tons more to line direct into my earholes.
PLEASE, Jonathan L. Howard, WRITE MORE GOON SQUAD! <3
Meet the Goon Squad:
• Nadiya (aka Puppet Girl) the art school graduate turned anarcho-terrorist turned crime fighter.
• Ian (aka Revenant) detective turned living corpse
• Gilbert (aka Red Wolf), the frumpy as human but ripped as werewolf...werewolf
• Talos (aka War Machine/Robot) the mysterious colossal flying mega strong, mega resourceful, yet mega reclusive and prone to disappearing, robot
This action packed, hilarious Year One collection (15 or so individual stories) is brought to life by 2 phenomenal narrators - Gabrielle de Cuir & Nicholas Guy Smith. The fantastic writing and exceptional reading combine to make a set of stories that immediately become a movie in your mind as you listen. My imagination went into overdrive for this series and I wish there were tons more to line direct into my earholes.
PLEASE, Jonathan L. Howard, WRITE MORE GOON SQUAD! <3
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews