Read on dear FOOLS as we discuss his beloved comic, David Fincher's involvement in the film and which popular character could be seen in the film.
CF: Why comics?
EP: It seemed more attractive than hanging drywall or mopping floors. Which were my other two vocational possibilities.
CF: Why do you think the Goon has become so popular? What attracts people to him?
EP: I really have no idea. I never expected the kind of success it's had. People just seem to like the characters. I've heard quite a few people in the U.S. comic market say humor books don't sell. I'm glad they're wrong. I think it's wrong to say any type of book won't sell. If it's done well, I think it can find readers.
CF: How has winning an Eisner award impacted your career the way you approach comics?
EP: I don't think it effected my career much. Maybe got a few more people to pick up the book. But what it did do for me is give me a boost of confidence in my work. That I was doing something ok. But the thing it did not do was give me over confidence. I hate pretension. And I don't want any of that in my work just because I won an award.
CF: Was there a fear in allowing such a special character like The Goon to be made into a film?
EP: No. I wanted it. People making indi comics aren't really making a whole lot of money. I'm happy to cash that Hollywood check. And you have to branch the material into film or television if you really want to get it out there and give it a life. It's the difference between reaching 20,000 comics readers and reaching millions of viewers.
CF: With a lot of comic book writers becoming screenwriters, is this a place you'd like to be as well?
EP: Yes, I enjoyed writing the Goon script and it got a good response from the producers so I could see myself attempting it. I've already been dipping my toes in the water a little, so we'll see how it goes.
CF: David Fincher being involved in the film adaptation of The Goon made me breathe a sigh of relief, how heavily is he involved in the project?
EP: Very heavily. I said that I really wanted a film, but I wouldn't have just signed it over to anyone. We had options offers plenty of times, but I wanted to give it to people I felt would do a good job and actually get something made.
CF: Has a director been hired yet?
EP: I'm not at liberty to say yet.
CF: Comic Con last year featured footage giving a glimpse at how the film would look and also featuring the voices of Clancy Brown as The Goon and Paul Giamatti as Franky. How did they both get inolved with the film? Were they your choices?
EP: Clancy was on my short list of Goon possibilities. Jeff Fowler at Blur mentioned Paul Giamatti, and as soon as he did I couldn't think of anyone else for Franky.
CF: How has the work Blur Studios have done for compare with say Dreamworks Animation or Pixar?
EP: Blur blew me away with the test stuff they sent me and their presentation reals. I've been working so closely with the guys at Blur that I don't think I can give you an unbiased opinion here. Lets just put it this way, I put the book I've been working on for the last decade of my life in their hands. I think they're good.
CF: Finally, the Buzzard is geting his own mini series later this year, we will we get to see him in the film adaptation?
EP: Not giving that away yet.
CF: Reports have said that The Goon film will involve a story completely separate from the comics, will there be new characters? Will the story line be seen also in future The Goon comics?
EP: Not true. The story is very much derived from the comics. It's just not a direct Sin City style adaptation. I wrote the script, so you can be sure the characters are themselves.
CF: Are there any musical acts you'd love to have their music in a film version of The Goon?
EP: Yes. Not going to say who yet.
CF: The Goon steps outside the standard comic panel thinking using Pencil for flashbacks and different mediums instead of just ink all the time. Will the film try to mimic these different mediums you use for the comic panels?
EP: I'm sure they'll do something interesting with the look.
CF: What would be your dream project to write/adapt into a film apart from The Goon?
EP: I'd love to write an original comedy actually. Not have to rely on past material. Do something really crazy.
CF: You've done some beautiful covers for the Swamp Thing over the years, my favourite is Vol 4 #22, there is word that Joel Silver is pushing to make a film based on the title. How do you think a Swamp Thing film could work in this day and age?
EP: Oh, yeah. I think it would be great. The tragic monster never gets old. And with the almost unintentional built in environmental message the character has I think it would be more relevant now than ever.
CF: What's next for you?
EP: More late nights at the drawing table. More Goon. More of my new book Chimichanga.
CF: What are your greatest strengths?
EP: Dialogue and being able to convey emotion through my drawings.
CF: Will the film take place before, after or during the current comic timeline?
EP: It's separate from the comic timeline.
CF: And lastly will there be a Knife to the Eye?
What do you think?
Thanks so much.
So there you FOOLS have it. David Fincher is heavily involved, which is great news. He'll treat the material with a lot of respect, but does this mean he is directing the film? Regardless we will get to see a knife to the eye, we might get to see Buzzard (I think we will), and we now know the story is derived from the comics that I love so much.
Thanks again to Eric Powell for allowing me to truly geek out.