From AdultSwim.com:
[as]: So, how did this crossover come about? Was beer consumed?
EP: While I was watching Metalocalypse, yes. I'm a big fan of the show and for a long time I had been trying to think of something to do a Scooby Doo-style illogical crossover with when I just happened to cross paths with someone who works with Cartoon Network. I mentioned the idea to him, he put me in contact with some people and it snowballed from there.
Are you a metal-head? If not, what's your favorite type of music? Can we look forward to a Goon vs. Andrea Bocelli special?
I love lots of different kinds of music. For me it's all about what kind of mood you're in. And, yes, I love the metal. The Metal. It comes from Hell. But late 70's-80's metal. And none of that hair-band crap. Stuff like Sabbath, Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer. It's hard to find good new Metal. I like Mastodon. But, seriously, the Dethklok album has been my favorite metal album in a long time.
Some Dethklok fans are going to be new to The Goon. Will this be a pretty representative issue to get started with, or does the match up make it wildly different in tone?
Well, The Goon is all over the place in tone... but it does match with the tone of the crazier Goon issues.
Let's say there are Dethklok fans that don't read comics. Tell them why they should buy this comic.
Because the only way this comic could be more metal was if the art were laser-imprinted onto slabs of iron. That, and the fact that they'll be getting a Dethklok story that will never be animated. This is the only place you're going to get it.
Was it difficult to get into the grammatical mindset of Dethklok's Scandinavian members? How do you get that across in print?
No, that's the thing I had the most fun with. I walk around my house all the time saying, "Them's guys ams dildos." Anyone who has ever read The Goon before knows I like playing around with language.
What was it like collaborating with Brendon on this story? Do you have musical inclinations as well?
It was great. Our first phone conversation he totally got what I was going for and fully endorsed it. I don't play anything. Always wanted too, though. It's a regret.
Can we look forward to any future spin-offs? We kind of think Buzzard and Murderface could have some pretty great buddy adventures.
Hmmmmm.
Do you ever base the Goon's victims on people in your own life? How about the hot girls that turn into horrifying, man-eating beasts? Are they based on anyone? Do you need any prescription refills?
Most hot girls are horrible beasts on the inside. That's just a fact of life. But I don't base villains on anyone in particular. And yes, if you would run over to the Walgreens for me, that would be sweet.
Have you had any run-ins with organized crime that inform your writing?
No, but I do get lots of fan mail from prison... I'm not joking.
How has the process of making The Goon into a movie been treating you? Have any voice actors been cast?
So far, working with Blur, David Fincher, and Dark Horse Entertainment has been a great experience. No horror stories yet. We definitely have people in mind that are amazing.
Goon's met Hellboy. Now Dethklok. If you had to pick three more fantasy matchups, where copyright or good taste is not an issue, what would you pick?
Don Knotts. I actually contacted his lawyer years ago to try to put him in the comic. This was before he was died.
Now, name the three least likely guest appearances.
Wolverine, Dick Cheney, and Michael Jackson.
What do you think about the current state of zombie movies? Are we headed in a good direction?
No. I loved the Dawn remake and the 28 Days films. Haven't seen anything that looked decent since. I don't tend to like fads. I'm happy that The Goon catches some extra attention from all this zombie craze, but it also bugs me when people that don't know the book has been around for a decade think I'm part of the band wagon.
Like Metalocalypse, it seems like The Goon keeps it interesting by swaying back and forth between funny and serious, lighthearted and violent, etc. Is there any one direction you're most interested in at present?
Nope. I'm kinda just going wherever my ideas take me.
Nerd bonus question: Of all the action figures you could have made from The Goon... why Joey the Ball?
Mezco wanted him. I wanted a Buzzard figure. He was supposed to be in series 2. But we didn't get there.
Any questions we should have asked but didn't?
Yes, and the answer to that question is... Yes! I do enjoy them! But only when I'm naked and covered in baby oil.
[adult swim] also states that The Goon is, "a comedic, hallucinatory tale of mistaken identity, organized crime, and the undead. Oh, and it's horrifically violent, just the way you like it, which made it a natural fit for a crossover issue with Dethklok."
I can't wait! For you fellow Nashvillians out there, I'm sure this will be a big hit at The Great Escape (the best comic shop ever)!
___________________________
Your friendly neighborhood Falcon,
John "Falcon" Ayers
The Falcon's Nest Image from AdultSwim.com (and isn't it freaking brutal?).