Dark Horse Books and Albatross Funnybooks are bringing Eric Powell’s The Goon back to comic shops with a new series of Library Edition reprints. Beginning March 2, 2027, the collection will return with updated cover art, new trade dress, and a slightly smaller format—giving longtime fans another chance to own Powell’s acclaimed supernatural crime saga while offering new readers an accessible entry point.
The announcement matters for collectors because the original Library Editions, published between 2015 and 2017, have been out of print. Their oversized presentation made them especially desirable, but also increasingly difficult to find without turning to the secondary market. The new editions will preserve the collected material while changing the physical dimensions of the books.
A Smaller Format for a Long-Awaited Return
The first new volume will collect the material from The Goon volumes 0 through 3. Unlike the original Library Edition, which measured approximately 8.3 by 12.5 inches, the new printing will use a 7-by-10-inch trim size. That makes it smaller than Dark Horse’s traditional oversized library books, though it remains larger than a standard comic collection.
For readers, the revised dimensions could make the series easier to shelve and handle. For collectors who already own the earlier books, however, the change will create a noticeably different-looking set. The new cover art and trade dress should further distinguish the reprints from the original editions.
Volume 1 is scheduled for release on March 2, 2027, with a retail price of $59.99. Dark Horse and Albatross Funnybooks plan to release volumes 2 through 5 across 2027 and 2028. No detailed schedule for those later volumes has been announced in the available information.
Why The Goon Still Stands Out
Created by Eric Powell, The Goon mixes hard-boiled crime fiction, horror, slapstick comedy, and pulp adventure into a setting where gangsters, zombies, mad scientists, and bizarre supernatural threats can collide without warning. The first volume centers on the conflict between the Zombie Priest and the Goon, the formidable enforcer protecting the territory controlled by crime boss Labrazio.
That premise only hints at the series’ unusual range. Powell’s work can move from grotesque violence to broad comedy and then into unexpectedly emotional character moments. The Goon’s relationship with his sidekick, Franky, has frequently been identified by reviewers as one of the series’ grounding elements, giving the chaos a human center.
Reviews of the earlier Library Editions have also highlighted the appeal of seeing Powell’s artwork at a larger scale. One review of the first volume described the collection as an ideal starting point for newcomers, while a review of the second volume emphasized Powell’s evolving visual confidence and his ability to balance humor, atmosphere, and pathos. Those responses point to the central attraction of the format: even when the material is deliberately outrageous, the artwork rewards close attention.
A Collector-Friendly Reprint With a New Reader in Mind
The timing of the reprint is significant. The original Library Editions gave the early material a premium presentation, but their out-of-print status left readers with fewer options. Smaller paperback collections and omnibus editions have provided alternative ways to read the series, yet the return of a hardcover Library Edition restores a deluxe-format option for fans who prefer substantial collected books.
The new size may also make the collection less intimidating for readers discovering The Goon for the first time. The original editions were impressive objects, but their large dimensions and weight were not ideal for every bookshelf or reading setup. A 7-by-10-inch format should still give Powell’s painted textures, heavy shadows, and expressive character work room to breathe without demanding quite as much space.
For existing fans, the appeal is more complicated but no less clear. The contents of Volume 1 are not new, so the primary incentives are the redesigned presentation, the chance to replace missing or damaged books, and the possibility of building a complete set without relying on fluctuating resale prices. Whether the new printing ultimately includes additional material beyond the previously collected stories remains unconfirmed.
Albatross and Dark Horse Continue Their Partnership
The reprint also reflects the continuing relationship between Dark Horse Books and Albatross Funnybooks, Powell’s publishing company and imprint. Albatross joined the Dark Horse lineup in 2022, and the companies have since worked together on projects including Dr. Werthless: The Man Who Studied Murder (And Nearly Killed the Comics Industry). Powell’s Hillbilly is also set for a relaunch through the partnership with The Treason of Twelve-Toe Maggie limited series.
That arrangement gives Powell’s work a larger publishing infrastructure while keeping Albatross visibly connected to the books. For The Goon, it also creates a path toward keeping the character’s collected history available in a consistent format rather than leaving earlier volumes stranded out of print.
At this stage, the most important confirmed details are straightforward: Volume 1 collects The Goon volumes 0 through 3, arrives March 2, 2027, carries a $59.99 price, and launches a five-volume reprint program. The smaller trim size will make this version distinct from the original Library Editions, but the enduring draw remains the same—Eric Powell’s singular combination of crime, horror, comedy, and heart.
Sources
comicsbeat.com
bigcomicpage.com
forewordreviews.com
