The Goon

From 2002 to 2003, Eric Powell launched The Goon as a four-issue series from his own Albatross imprint, introducing a world where a hard-boiled, muscle-bound enforcer battles supernatural horrors and mobsters in a grim, Depression-era town. Powell wrote and drew every issue, infusing the book with a darkly comic sensibility that mixed B-movie monsters with slapstick violence and a surprisingly tender heart. This initial run established the tone and setting for what would become a cult-favorite series, showcasing Powell's distinctive, moody artwork and his knack for blending horror and humor into something wholly original.