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The Goon #2
The Goon, Volume 2: My Murderous Childhood
The Goon and Franky have been best friends ever since they was tykes. Find out how the two little ankle-biters became best pals and how they muscled their way into the rackets of big-time crime-boss, Labrazio - who, incidentally, nobody's seen in a while. This trip down memory lane ain't gonna be no joyride, neither. Franky and the Goon are going to have to take on a horde of zombies, an army of hoboes, a couple of grave robbin' freaks, a guy with a gold head and his killer robot, a pie-crazed skunk ape, one homely, man-crazy sea hag, and a whole lot of other things that smell just as bad, if not worse. Pick up a copy, because those uptown rich people may have the cops and their G-men, but down here all we got is the Goon!
128 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2004
4 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Eric Powell
505 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 - 30 of 87 reviews
July 17, 2024
How the Goon met Franky along with randy sea hags, pie-loving skunk apes, and gold-plated mad scientists. The Goon is kind of the bad guy yet, he also looks out for everyone in the neighborhood. If you like Looney tunes type cartoon violence and black humor, this is the book for you. Powell not only creates books that are a ton of fun, he's also a fantastic artist.
June 21, 2016
I enjoyed this quite a bit more than the first volume, largely because it provides the key characters with a little history and depth: we learn where they came from, and which events made them what they are. The narratives now feel more coherent, the humor less obvious - I'm starting to see why the Goon has fans.
November 28, 2024
Hobo cannibals
March 30, 2020
(4,2 of 5 for this comedy delight and nicely done photo-story)
Eric Powell is a great comics creator in all means. The story is great, the dialogues are cool and natural and the art is just superb. Covers/pinups or the comic pages itself, it's all bliss. And I enjoy all those subtle pop-cultural references! Well, Goon is not recommendable to all, but if you liked the description and few previews from comics, you'll gonna love the rest.
I liked this book better than the previous one. The Goon's world feels more lively, it's more dramatic with a pinch of horror. And I'm looking forward to the next book.
Eric Powell is a great comics creator in all means. The story is great, the dialogues are cool and natural and the art is just superb. Covers/pinups or the comic pages itself, it's all bliss. And I enjoy all those subtle pop-cultural references! Well, Goon is not recommendable to all, but if you liked the description and few previews from comics, you'll gonna love the rest.
I liked this book better than the previous one. The Goon's world feels more lively, it's more dramatic with a pinch of horror. And I'm looking forward to the next book.
August 28, 2011
The world of the Goon is a simple one. Goon is a racketeer and thug but he is the hero. He punches zombies, assorted monsters, mad scientists, voodoo priests, and just about anything the creator of the series, writer and artist extraordinaire Eric Powell, can think up to throw at him.
This book is a good intro to how the Goon came to be, from his early days before the criminal world beckoned, to how he got started in organised crime, to how he came to meet his long-time partner Franky.
The tone of the stories is light hearted and fun despite the tones of horror and violence. Highlights include spontaneous combusting orang-utans, horny sea hags, pie eating skunk apes, a tribe of cannibal hobos, and a not so mad but not so savvy scientist.
Powell's artwork is nothing short of amazing - the oil covers are utterly beautiful while the line drawing in the books is top notch, as are the layouts. I know, having read later volumes before this (yes I should read these in order but so what) that his artwork becomes even better and he ends up switching to painting the comics throughout, but his work in this early book is still fantastic.
Enough superlatives! The Goon might not have a grand overarching story to it but the plenty of mini adventures and batty stories full of humour and invention are more than enough to make this a series worth checking out. "My Murderous Childhood" is a fine starting point and a great read for all comics fans.
This book is a good intro to how the Goon came to be, from his early days before the criminal world beckoned, to how he got started in organised crime, to how he came to meet his long-time partner Franky.
The tone of the stories is light hearted and fun despite the tones of horror and violence. Highlights include spontaneous combusting orang-utans, horny sea hags, pie eating skunk apes, a tribe of cannibal hobos, and a not so mad but not so savvy scientist.
Powell's artwork is nothing short of amazing - the oil covers are utterly beautiful while the line drawing in the books is top notch, as are the layouts. I know, having read later volumes before this (yes I should read these in order but so what) that his artwork becomes even better and he ends up switching to painting the comics throughout, but his work in this early book is still fantastic.
Enough superlatives! The Goon might not have a grand overarching story to it but the plenty of mini adventures and batty stories full of humour and invention are more than enough to make this a series worth checking out. "My Murderous Childhood" is a fine starting point and a great read for all comics fans.
May 30, 2016
Another perfect blend of horror, comedy and action. Also, spontaneously combustive orangutans, cream corn, a killer robot and sea hag.
In this delightful issue, we flashback to Goon and Franky's youth. Goon learns how to earn fear and respect while Franky learns how to stand up for himself, meanwhile they become friends. Awww. While fighting the mob and more zombies.
Then Dr. Heironymous Alloy is released from prison and decides, in an attempt to become a respected civil leader, to kill the "criminal mastermind" The Goon. Little does he know The Goon is a respected civil leader, albeit one that fights zombies, robots, and other various supernatural ephemera. What an interesting villain. Eric Powell described him as being misguided rather than evil. With lots of sketches in the back of this one. Plus many other mini stories just because!
I'm loving The Goon so far. Three straight volumes of darkly humorous perfection!
September 12, 2010
As with the first installment, my favorite panels are the sepia-toned descriptions of the past. The artwork for the covers is also fabulously done, with a hazy wash that belies the context: monster killing and zombie smashing.
I appreciated getting a glimpse into the Goon's past, learning how he became an enforcer and how he established himself as a figure to be both feared and respected. He's not exactly what I thought he'd be, as highlighted by his initial meeting with Franky. As much as the Goon is a thug, he's also always looking out for the little guy.
One of the best scenes of this volume centers on Franky. Powell clearly lays out the precise moment he changes from wimpy kid afraid of his own shadow to scrappy little guy willing to run headlong into the fray. It's a great show of how the Goon inspires him to stand up for himself.
As opposed to volume one, the in-between parody ads and segues of this aren't so amusing. The new "villain," however, is very entertaining. Dr. Alloy is a droll, misguided mad scientist who really does want the best for everyone. He just doesn't quite get why people wouldn't want to be genetically modified for their own good. Silly people.
The Goon is not the sort of story I want to read multiple volumes of in one sitting, but it certainly makes for a diverting break from other more serious GNs.
I appreciated getting a glimpse into the Goon's past, learning how he became an enforcer and how he established himself as a figure to be both feared and respected. He's not exactly what I thought he'd be, as highlighted by his initial meeting with Franky. As much as the Goon is a thug, he's also always looking out for the little guy.
One of the best scenes of this volume centers on Franky. Powell clearly lays out the precise moment he changes from wimpy kid afraid of his own shadow to scrappy little guy willing to run headlong into the fray. It's a great show of how the Goon inspires him to stand up for himself.
As opposed to volume one, the in-between parody ads and segues of this aren't so amusing. The new "villain," however, is very entertaining. Dr. Alloy is a droll, misguided mad scientist who really does want the best for everyone. He just doesn't quite get why people wouldn't want to be genetically modified for their own good. Silly people.
The Goon is not the sort of story I want to read multiple volumes of in one sitting, but it certainly makes for a diverting break from other more serious GNs.
May 21, 2018
Not the best one I've read in this series, but still plenty fun. There's a story about young Goon meeting Franky, which is enlightening, but the rest of this collection is pretty disjointed. There are a couple of stories that feel kind of like throw-away's, but some fantastic art nonetheless.
I'm not sure if this is how this series is going to go, or if there will be more inter-connected stories that tie together, but I'm more than happy to come back to see which it is.
I'm not sure if this is how this series is going to go, or if there will be more inter-connected stories that tie together, but I'm more than happy to come back to see which it is.
February 9, 2009
This is still the best bunch of crazy you can buy.
April 14, 2018
I have been reading these Goon volumes before bed. They are quick reads and they are really funny.
February 7, 2025
The Goon is really starting to get in the swing of things now. I'm getting a taste for who's who and where our setting is. I'm also starting to like recurring characters like Spider more even, if he kind of sucks. And Goons origin feels like the footnote it almost should be. With how slowly they're building a story it's going to be kind of weird when everything starts coming together.
June 9, 2022
I read this like a week ago
Read
August 13, 2023I aint neva gonna stop readin the goon.
This is a 5 star rating, but it's based on the first 2 books.
I just love it.
This is a 5 star rating, but it's based on the first 2 books.
I just love it.
February 23, 2022
Rattles along with more gorgeous artwork. There are circus freaks, zombies, a combustible orangutan, a sea witch, a car chase and an origin story. Still fun and marvelous to look at.
June 17, 2010
While I thought this was a marked improvement from volume 1, I still couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't enjoying this series as much as I wanted to be enjoying it. With zombies, exploding apes, an odd-ball take on the earth 20th century and of course the Goon himself, there's a lot to like here. Still, the whole thing occasionally feels a little uneven at time. That said, when it finds its stride, it's great fun.
July 22, 2016
I had higher expectations for the vol. still good, especially the back story, but I felt some material was straight up recycled. Also, it lacked some of the heart from the previous entries. I hope this doesn't become a trend....
April 3, 2024
A slight improvement on the previous volume, further demonstrating Eric Powell's continued growth as a cartoonist and storyteller. "My Murderous Childhood (and Other Grievous Yarns)" takes a look at Goon's own backstory along with some of his supporting cast, whilst also fleshing out what the Zombie Priest (first introduced in
Rough Stuff
) is up to. The narrative here is pretty nonlinear, but Powell is able to distinguish between present day and flashbacks effectively, and the story moves at a brisk and enjoyable pace throughout. Evaluating humor is tough because of how subjective it is, but it still doesn't really work for me. Fun, campy stories with a light horror undertone make for an entertaining read, but I still haven't really felt blown away by the various adventures chronicled in The Goon yet.
September 28, 2018
This graphic novel was not my cup of tea. Eric Powell is lucky that Dark horse Comics is around, because it gives writer/artists an outlet for their questionable material. We have here early tales of the buck toothed, scarred Goon and his midget side kick. They go around killing hideous villains. Grotesque heroes. Grotesque villains. Grotesque side characters. Grotesque stories. If this appeals to you, then this is your book. But if you feel that evil needs to be balanced good, or that horror needs to be balanced with beauty, then move along and find stories that are more classic in nature,
April 18, 2021
Postupně lepší a lepší. Vtípky jsou vesměs sofistikovanější než "knife to the eye" první knihy, odkazů na vyloženě jakoby šoky minimum, za to děj je najednou co se celkem i blíží zápletkám s pointou (které občas i dávají smysl a příjemně popírají klasická komiksová schémata), postavy mají i minulost a motivace. A Goon občas věci řeší i jinak než over the top brutalitou, z čehož jednoduše plynou i _lepší vtipy_.
Co se pak povedlo velmi jsou všechny meta humory a narušování čtvrtý stěny. Velmi příjemná chvilka čtení pro velmi specifickou cílovku!
Co se pak povedlo velmi jsou všechny meta humory a narušování čtvrtý stěny. Velmi příjemná chvilka čtení pro velmi specifickou cílovku!
December 30, 2021
First book of the series for me. I am not convinced. I get that many people like the "short unconnected stories in the same universe" model, but I am done reading the book and I am left struggling to remember what happened. It felt disjointed and rushed. A few smile along the way but overall it also felt scattered and not all that funny. It reminded me of the feeling I got from reading the Umbrella Academy.
I am willing to keep going though because Powell is a heck of an artist. This seems to be a highly regarded series so this is quite likely on me rather then on the work.
I am willing to keep going though because Powell is a heck of an artist. This seems to be a highly regarded series so this is quite likely on me rather then on the work.
Read
July 24, 2022Finally I make it to a Goon volume 2, and it does not disappoint, the usual scuzz and violence supplemented with jokes you probably couldn't do at a major publisher 18 years on, an entirely inappropriate photo story, and some surprisingly combustible orangutans. Plus, a parole hearing that does a lot to explain why supervillains never seem to be gone long in the bigger comics universes either:
"He's been a model prisoner, Paterson. Don't forget he was a great man, a brilliant scientist, before -"
"Before he tried to turn us into fish?"
Needless to say, Paterson is overruled.
"He's been a model prisoner, Paterson. Don't forget he was a great man, a brilliant scientist, before -"
"Before he tried to turn us into fish?"
Needless to say, Paterson is overruled.
February 13, 2021
The more Goon I read, the more I enjoy it and the more it FEELS like an old school EC horror comic mashed with Looney Toons. I think this is when the series hits its stride as far as tone and feel of the comic goes. That's really about it.
The art is heavily in the EC style tradition, all the way down to visual treatment of female characters (softer lines, brighter colors, more realism). If you're this deep into the series, then you probably enjoy it and you'll probably enjoy this one.
The art is heavily in the EC style tradition, all the way down to visual treatment of female characters (softer lines, brighter colors, more realism). If you're this deep into the series, then you probably enjoy it and you'll probably enjoy this one.
March 23, 2021
La historia donde Goon es niño y conoce a Franky merece 5 estrellotas. Pero las otras historias cortas al final son o se sienten a relleno. Las he disfrutado. Pero al estar en este volúmen, esperaría que fueran algo más. Una continuación de los antes visto.
Sólo puedo esperar que el siguente número sea todavía mejor. Goon ha resultado ser la dosis perfecta de acción, feels y absurdo. Fantástico.
Sólo puedo esperar que el siguente número sea todavía mejor. Goon ha resultado ser la dosis perfecta de acción, feels y absurdo. Fantástico.
May 29, 2017
Really am loving these early goon comics. They are a lot more on the comedy side withotu the heaviness on the drama that started to happen in the later volumes. In this volume Eric is really hitting his stride in terms of both humour/story and his artistic ability. A very fun read of a great series.
October 29, 2024
I enjoyed this more than volume 0 & 1. I feel like Eric Powell has perfected the characters and the story telling. The art is still great, although I did enjoy the black and white art. The stories are quick funny reads. I wouldn’t necessarily sit down and read it back to back but I’m enjoying it more. The humourous sections between stories aren’t as funny as the ads in the first volume.
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.
November 24, 2022
Fun, but the humor part didn't land well for me and I really wanted to see Powell do more dynamic storytelling. Dude has a great style and then goes for basic panel compositions. I'll still stick with this series, but I really hope it gets better after this.
December 18, 2022
Un poco de ciencia ficción, fotonovela, orígenes secretos y la magia de siempre de Powell. Monstruos marinos ninfomanos, científicos locos hechos de acero y The Goon como siempre, repartiendo piñas para todos lados. Belleza.
December 27, 2022
More very interesting characters are introduced!
Hillbillies, Mad scientists and zombies! Oh my! Plus a great section that showcases the Goon's past and how he acquired his side kick!
I liked this edition!
Hillbillies, Mad scientists and zombies! Oh my! Plus a great section that showcases the Goon's past and how he acquired his side kick!
I liked this edition!
October 24, 2017
Not as good as Vol. 0 or 1 but still great read and art.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews