Eric Powell has been making independent comics for decades, including his signature seriesThe Goon.
LikeThe Goon,Hillbillyfeatures two protagonists going up against all kinds of supernatural evil.
TheHillbillyconcept is so interesting.
Credit: Comixology
What were your inspirations here?
Ive always kind of liked the sword-and-sorcery thing.
Ive always been drawn to more fantastic stories, but it felt kind of overdone.
Comixology
Its definitely a genre thats been tapped a lot.
The South has kind of a creepy element, with the woods and everything.
How did you settle on your two protagonists being a wandering vigilante and a giant bear?
Comixology
I think the bear thing came along from Grizzly Adams.
It was black bears in the Smoky Mountains.
I think that naturally came to mind.
Comixology
What are the main differences betweenHillbillyandThe Goon?
The Goonis kind of all over the place with genres.
I went back and forth between tragic stories and comedy.Hillbillyis much more straightforward.
Comixology
Theres not gonna be a lot of Spanish-screaming lizards in there or anything like that.
Do you have a plan for the series?
Will it be a bunch of short stories, or is there a larger arc in mind?
Comixology
I have a big story in mind.
Its kind of the same thing I had withThe Goon.
But mostly Im focusing on short stories, one-issue self-contained stories, because I personally prefer that.
This is part of your relaunch of your comic label Albatross.
Why did you decide to do that relaunch now?
Well, Im getting a little older.
Id always wondered what wouldve happened if Id kept with that.
Its all a big experiment for me.
What does it entail right now besidesHillbilly?
Were still trying to figure those details out.
What was fun about revisitingSatan Sodomy Baby?
(Laughs) Well, I get to vent a lot of frustrations.
Ive been thinking about doing that sequel for a long time.
So Im trying to work that in there.
Society has gotten to a point where nobody compromises on anything anymore.
Theres no compromise whatsoever, so Im doing a lot of satire based on that.
What happened with Albatross last time around?
Tim Millers been talking aboutThe Goonmovie again.
Do you have any update?
How involved are you in that process?
Not in the day to day aspect, but Ive actually been working on a lot of additional lines.
Theyve been going back and doing more recording on the animatic we did the Kickstarter for.
Now that everything withDeadpoolis wrapped up, Tim is refocused on trying to getThe Goonpicked up by a studio.
Were in a positive area right now.
The hope withDeadpoolwas that it would bring up the door to different kinds of comic movies and different tones.
Is that something youre seeing?
Theres no real comparison to be made there with anything, so it kind of scares them.
