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Eric Powell Interview

Eric Powell has worked on such diverse projects as Dark Horse's Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Giles and Star Wars Tales, Marvel's Black Panther and Incredible Hulk, and DC's Batman. But he is best known for The Goon, which is moving this month from Albatross Exploding Funny Books to Dark Horse. The Goon is also making the move from black and white to full color. And Dark Horse is also collecting early Goon stories in a new trade. Worlds of Westfield Content Editor Roger Ash recently caught up with Powell to find out more about The Goon.

Westfield: For those who have never read The Goon before, what can you tell them about the book?

Eric Powell: I hate describing The Goon. I cringe a little every time someone asks me to. The book is about a street thug trying to keep a gang of zombies out of his town... and it's a comedy. Sounds like a pretty lackluster concept but it's just one of those books you have to read to get. It's crazy, fun, and packed with big monster action.

Westfield: Who are the main characters in the book?

Powell: The Goon, his pal Franky.

Westfield: Could you tell us a bit more about who The Goon and Franky are?

Powell: The Goon is a street thug who grew up in a carnival being raised by his aunt. When his aunt was murdered trying to protect him, having nowhere else to go, he turns to a life of crime at the age of thirteen. Franky is his smart mouth pal that helps in his less than reputable exploits.

Westfield: How did the move to Dark Horse come about?

Powell: I had done some work with Dark Horse in the past on some Buffy and Star Wars stuff. Dave Land and Scott Allie were really digging the stuff I was putting out through Albatross and luckily got it picked up.

Westfield: What can people look forward to story wise in upcoming issues of The Goon?

Powell: Deformed cursed grave diggers, mad scientist with giant robots, invaders from space, a story from Goon and Franky's childhood, and of course lots and lots of zombies.

Westfield: Why did you decide to change from a black and white book to color? Does this change how you approach the art in the book?

Powell: No. I had actually considered keeping the book gray because I like the old horror movie feel it gave it. But most store owners are more willing to carry a color book, so it really wasn't that hard of a decision. The book will be bimonthly so I can color it, so fans can expect more of the same. No changes to the book creatively.

Westfield: Dark Horse is also issuing a Goon collection. What can you tell us about that?

Powell: It's taking all of the Albatross issues and the Dark Horse Presents I did a few years ago and collecting them in color. I'm really exited about it. It's got some great pinups by Guy Davis, Mike Oeming, and Kyle Hotz. It also has a very flattering intro by William Stout. I'm still amazed that he wrote the intro.

Westfield: The Goon is a mix of horror and comedy. Who, or what, are your influences for the book?

Powell: Lots of different stuff. I think I've always liked the two genres so much it just came natural to do a black comedy. When VCR's were a new thing and the only place you could rent tapes was out of the back of the local Dairy Queen, my sister and I always got one thing, a scary movie and a funny movie. Every Friday night it was always one scary, one funny.

Westfield: Do you have any other upcoming projects you'd like to mention?

Powell: I'm painting covers to the Arkham Asylum: Living Hell mini-series for DC, and I have a story that I wrote, drew, and colored coming out in Hellboy: Weird Tales #2. I'm really proud of it.

Westfield: Any closing comments?

Powell: Please buy The Goon. I need the money.

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