The Groo Adventurer

Groo the Wanderer #1

by Sergio Aragonés, Mark Evanier

You've heard his name, gigglingly whispered in back alleys, chuckled over in ancient myth and legend, and guffawed out loud in comic shops around the country, and the world over. A mendicant, amercenary, and a soldier of misfortune, the first four epic issues of Sergio Aragones' classic creation Groo The Wanderer are collected together here for the first time.

Find out what all the laughter is about.

#1 March 1985 The Song of Groo
#2 April 1985 Dragon Killer
#3 May 1985 The Medallion
#4 June 1985 World Without Women!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Humor, Comedy, Bande Dessinée, Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

About the author

Sergio Aragonés Domenech is a cartoonist and writer best known for his contributions to Mad Magazine and creator of the comic book Groo the Wanderer.

Reviews

[Helmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I err?
Habe ich mich als Kind geirrt, als ich das erste Mal ein Einzelheft von Groo in der Hand hielt, und mich darüber ärgerte, wie respektlos hier ein Autor meine damalige Ikone, Conan den Barbaren, parodierte? Habe ich mich geirrt, als ich Sergio Aragonés' Zeichenstil zu verworren und verschnörkelt fand? Habe ich mich geirrt, als ich die Reihe für infantil (selbst für mein damalig selbst infantiles Wesen) hielt und sie verächtlich zur Seite legte, um mich anderen, "wertvolleren" Comics zuzuwenden?

Ja!

[হাঁটুপানির জলদস্যু · Rating 3 out of 5]

আধসের বাঁটুল দি গ্রেটের সাথে যদি যোগ করা যায় দুই ছটাক জনি ব্রাভো, দুই ছটাক এলমার ফাড, দুই ছটাক ওবেলিক্স আর দুই ছটাক গোবিন্দ অপয়া (এরকম আরেকটা চরিত্রকে চিনি, তাঁর নাম আপাতত নিলাম না), তারপর যদি সেই মিশ্রণকে সের্জিও আরাগোনেসের দুর্দান্ত সরস আঁকা আর মার্ক ইভানিয়ারের দুস্তুল্য সরস লেখার ভিয়েন পার করে আনা যায়, তাহলে যা পাওয়া যাবে, সেটাই গ্রু। শিং ভেঙে বাছুর হয়ে গোগ্রাসে গিলছি।

[Kevin Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Groo is a dimwitted barbarian who nevertheless manages to thwart those who try to take advantage of him.

This reprints the first four Epic (Marvel) issues of Groo. It's early, so Groo's physical resemblance to a Conan-type is a little stronger, and his personality is a little less settled.

It's still Groo, and Groo is good. More cheese dip, please.

[Matt Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some jokes don’t age well, but the deceptively simple artwork is pleasant, and as the series goes on a one-joke character gets put to more clever and chuckle-worthy use. A fun read.

[Algernon · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is for the whole Groo cycle, I've been reading it sporadically for the past two years, and now that I reached the end I know I will miss this brainless Conan alter ego and his spotted canine companion Rufferto. They had quite a bunch of wacky companions in their constant wandering from one misadventure to another: The Sage and Mulch, the Minstrel, Arba and Dakarba, Groella, Pall and Drumm, Chakaal, Arcadio, Taranto. Nothing is safe from this disaster prone mendicant - from every ship he puts his foot on, cities big or small, entire armies felled by his pair of swords - friends or foes, it doesn't matter, so long as there is a good fray.

The quality varied from issue to issue, but when it was good it was really funny, with the occassional biting satire at contemporary issues. There's usual a moral lesson at the end of each story. My favorite is:

Freedom is not an individual effort. Yours comes only when you grant others theirs.

Thank you Mr. Aragonez, Mark Evanier, Tom Luth and Stan Sakai for the trip. I'll think of you whenever I will eat cheese dip or pass by a mulched field.

[Adam Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume collects the first four issues of the Epic Comics Groo series. These stories are so silly but I love them. Especially number four, the greatest Groo story ever, "World Without Women!" Most of the stories are prefaced with a small limerick introducing our hero. The one for this story is priceless, and I'll quote it here for you:

"Everyone has heard of him, his name is widely spread / Alas, if you get word of him, you'll likely end up dead. / If some uncouth vulgarian would take your life and purse / Just send for this barbarian, who'll likely make things worse. / His motives are intended well, but when he works for you / Your life will soon be ended well, with compliments of Groo."

Need I say more? Groo ROCKS!

[Andre Piucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

- I need to use my brain more, Rufferto! I must learn to act before I think ... Or is it the other way around???

[Ryk Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It will be unlikely that I will rate any Groo paperback as anything less than five stars. I am a hardcore fan.

In these four issues, I remarked especially on how the humorous stories reveal especially poignant morals.

[matthew Blankenship]

Best comic book. X-Men and The Dark Knight have nothing on the fearless Groo the Wanderer

[John Esse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really funny except for the rape jokes :L

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

can't believe these classics ain't collected better in this day and age , we need nice complete hardcover Collection

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO quick and easy to read and so addictive, I think I've completely fallen in love with Groo. These first few issues aren't quite on a par with where the Pacific imprint comics had got to, but they're pretty damn close. There are hysterical gags aplenty with Groo taken the concept of defending a bridge a bit too literally in issue #1 (allowing enemies over, so long as the bridge is OK!) or the minstrel singing songs at the King's son's funeral in #2 or the hilarious scenario in #3 in which Groo is caught between two rival factions identified by the wearing or not-wearing of a medallion, and seems to end caught without the medallion when he needs it and vice versa and thusly always in the enemy camp. The gags are always simple, but highly effective. Finally, Groo #4 sees Groo trying to help out by rescuing the women of the neighbouring towns who have been randomly captured by some men with airships. Another amusing situation which leads to a great punchline when it turns out that the women aren't quite so keen on being rescued...

Repeatedly really great stuff...

[Bryan457 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Groo, the wandering barbarian who can always make a bad situation worse.

#1 The Song of Groo - The Minstrel tells 3 funny stories about Groo.
#2 Dragon killer- Groo goes to slay the dragon terrorizing the city. My favorite.
#3 The Medallion - Groo is given a medallion as a reward.
#4 world Without Women! - The women of the village have all been kidnapped. Groo sets off to rescue them. Great ending on this one.

[bluetyson]

isbn,original

[Neven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charmingly corny. Reminiscent of Black Adder.

[Timo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aragonés is the master of scenes with thousands of characters. And the stories were silly. Good times.

[Jota Houses · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tonto, muy tonto. Pero un dibujo impresionante por lo barroco. Me he leido todos pero me limito a apuntar este.