Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
CHAOS ENSUES MEDIA:
-Website: witsendpod.com
-YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/UCwvSur7b4J_U3gMIA44OGWQ
-Support the channel on Patreon: patreon.com/thechaosensues
Wander to my website for the essay transcript and some cheese dip: witsendpod.com/podcast-episodes/chaos-ensues-the-history-of-groo-the-wanderer-by-sergio-aragones
Groo the Wanderer by cartoonist Sergio Aragonés (aka “The World’s Fastest Cartoonist”) was born out of a desire for creators’ rights—in an industry where companies and publishers would completely own the work produced by writers and artists.
The cheese dip eating Wanderer debuted in Steve Gerber and Jack Kirby’s Destroyer Duck #1 in 1982 from Eclipse Comics. This comic was produced to help Gerber in his legal battle against Marvel for the rights of his character, Howard the Duck. The comic itself is a stepping stone towards creators being able to own the rights for their stories and character.
Aragonés was able to maintain ownership of the character and Groo has been published at Eclipse, Pacific Comics, the Marvel imprint Epic Comics, Image Comics and finally, Dark Horse—where Groo and his team reside today.
Groo has mostly had the same creative team consisting of Aragonés, scripter Mark Evanier, letterer (and creator of Usagi Yojimbo) Stan Sakai and colorist Tom Luth. Recently Carrie Strachan has joined the crew as Groo’s colorist. Groo is one of the longest running creator owned comics.
The book is smart, funny, filled with commentary and is a monumental success in the battle for creator ownership. Chaos ensues.
TIME CODES:
-0:00—Intro (Enter the Fray)
-0:26—Sergio Aragones History
-1:55—Going Mad (Magazine) (and early work)
-3:39—Origin of GROO
-4:47—Destroyer Duck by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee
-6:41—Origin of Pacific Comics (Bill and Steve SCHANES)
-9:35—GROO Publication History
-10:58—Creative Team and Story themes
-14:59—Important Information
SOURCES:
-Sergio Aragonés & Mark Evanier USC Docmentary (1991): youtube.com/watch?v=QEpnO_75RgY
-Sergio Aragonés Drawing Video: youtube.com/watch?v=mpGTkNJ2zYM
-Sergio Aragonés Lecture: youtube.com/watch?v=srLgvuIzwcU
-Sergio Aragonés & Stan Lee (Comic Book Greats): youtube.com/watch?v=yzac_3Y_Tng
-Pacific Comics San Diego Reader Article: sandiegoreader.com/news/2004/aug/19/two-men-and-their-comic-books
-Jim Shooter Video: youtube.com/watch?v=OcOylQnsT9Y
-Jim Shooter Article: jimshooter.com/2011/07/epic-interfereence.html
-Sergio Aragonés MAD Magazine Footage: youtube.com/watch?v=po9wSHJP5YA
-Aragonés 2011 Interview (Copyrights): youtube.com/watch?v=k5IFc1XC8sM
-Groo YouTube Channel @GrooTheWanderer: youtube.com/watch?v=pifI9IHRv0w
Full playlist of my comic book documentary style video essays: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHzs4gLtdGhHH6Z8Ez7dilWDUyzWlM8sM&si=vCZ_xLzpxq35u4FE
Playlist of my Fantastic Four comics history video essays: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHzs4gLtdGhErcF0TWV22b609kWjbMOyr&si=A14CTSY5-V7s_y4D
Any possibly copyrighted material is protected under fair use. This content was created for commentary, entertainment or educational purposes.
CHAOS ENSUES MEDIA:
-Website: witsendpod.com
-YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/UCwvSur7b4J_U3gMIA44OGWQ
-Support the channel on Patreon: patreon.com/thechaosensues
Wander to my website for the essay transcript and some cheese dip: witsendpod.com/podcast-episodes/chaos-ensues-the-history-of-groo-the-wanderer-by-sergio-aragones
Groo the Wanderer by cartoonist Sergio Aragonés (aka “The World’s Fastest Cartoonist”) was born out of a desire for creators’ rights—in an industry where companies and publishers would completely own the work produced by writers and artists.
The cheese dip eating Wanderer debuted in Steve Gerber and Jack Kirby’s Destroyer Duck #1 in 1982 from Eclipse Comics. This comic was produced to help Gerber in his legal battle against Marvel for the rights of his character, Howard the Duck. The comic itself is a stepping stone towards creators being able to own the rights for their stories and character.
Aragonés was able to maintain ownership of the character and Groo has been published at Eclipse, Pacific Comics, the Marvel imprint Epic Comics, Image Comics and finally, Dark Horse—where Groo and his team reside today.
Groo has mostly had the same creative team consisting of Aragonés, scripter Mark Evanier, letterer (and creator of Usagi Yojimbo) Stan Sakai and colorist Tom Luth. Recently Carrie Strachan has joined the crew as Groo’s colorist. Groo is one of the longest running creator owned comics.
The book is smart, funny, filled with commentary and is a monumental success in the battle for creator ownership. Chaos ensues.
TIME CODES:
-0:00—Intro (Enter the Fray)
-0:26—Sergio Aragones History
-1:55—Going Mad (Magazine) (and early work)
-3:39—Origin of GROO
-4:47—Destroyer Duck by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee
-6:41—Origin of Pacific Comics (Bill and Steve SCHANES)
-9:35—GROO Publication History
-10:58—Creative Team and Story themes
-14:59—Important Information
SOURCES:
-Sergio Aragonés & Mark Evanier USC Docmentary (1991): youtube.com/watch?v=QEpnO_75RgY
-Sergio Aragonés Drawing Video: youtube.com/watch?v=mpGTkNJ2zYM
-Sergio Aragonés Lecture: youtube.com/watch?v=srLgvuIzwcU
-Sergio Aragonés & Stan Lee (Comic Book Greats): youtube.com/watch?v=yzac_3Y_Tng
-Pacific Comics San Diego Reader Article: sandiegoreader.com/news/2004/aug/19/two-men-and-their-comic-books
-Jim Shooter Video: youtube.com/watch?v=OcOylQnsT9Y
-Jim Shooter Article: jimshooter.com/2011/07/epic-interfereence.html
-Sergio Aragonés MAD Magazine Footage: youtube.com/watch?v=po9wSHJP5YA
-Aragonés 2011 Interview (Copyrights): youtube.com/watch?v=k5IFc1XC8sM
-Groo YouTube Channel @GrooTheWanderer: youtube.com/watch?v=pifI9IHRv0w
Full playlist of my comic book documentary style video essays: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHzs4gLtdGhHH6Z8Ez7dilWDUyzWlM8sM&si=vCZ_xLzpxq35u4FE
Playlist of my Fantastic Four comics history video essays: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHzs4gLtdGhErcF0TWV22b609kWjbMOyr&si=A14CTSY5-V7s_y4D
Any possibly copyrighted material is protected under fair use. This content was created for commentary, entertainment or educational purposes.
