Lost in Space, Found in Comedy: The Story of Goomer
This week on Inside the Kingdom, we blast off with legendary cartoonist Ricardo Martínez, co-creator of Goomer, the beloved sci-fi strip that’s equal parts outer-space absurdity and all-too-human comedy.
If you’ve ever wondered how a freeloading Earthling became one of Europe’s most iconic comic-strip exports—or what makes Goomer both timeless and weirdly relatable—this episode’s for you.
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Meet Goomer: Our Shameless Space Traveler
As Ricardo told host Alex Garcia, Goomer was born from the imaginations of two lifelong friends. He and co-creator Nacho Moreno met as kids in Madrid and bonded over comics like B.C., Wizard of Id, and Crock. In the late ’70s, as Star Wars and Alien fueled a new wave of sci-fi, they wondered, “What hasn’t been done yet?” The answer: a science fiction comic strip.
The result was Goomer—a hilariously flawed human trying (and often failing) to survive among aliens who are just as dysfunctional as we are.
“Goomer is our Mr. Hyde,” Ricardo laughs. “He’s our shameless side—the part of us that goes all in on bad decisions.”
The Art of the Absurd
Ricardo’s art brims with detail—every frame a little treasure hunt of Easter eggs and mini-stories. “When I started, people told me to keep it simple,” he said. “But I can’t. I love putting small details in there for readers who take the time to look.”
He even revealed that there’s one mysterious little figure—complete with a bowler hat and octopus legs—that sneaks into nearly every strip. “He doesn’t do anything. He’s just there. Maybe he’s the narrator,” Ricardo joked.
Reflections, Realities, and the Human in the Alien
For all its sci-fi setting, Goomer has always been about human behavior—flaws, friendships, and the quiet absurdity of everyday life. As Ricardo explains, the alien planet might look strange, but it’s really a mirror.
“This planet is far away, but it’s also Earth,” he said. “Everything is different, but everything is the same.”
Even after decades, Goomer hasn’t softened or shifted—it’s stayed true to its core: a story about a man who refuses to grow up, even when the world around him demands it.
A Planet Without a Name (For Now)
In one of the most delightful moments of the conversation, Ricardo revealed that Goomer’s home planet… doesn’t have a name. Not after nearly 50 years.
So Alex and Ricardo decided to throw the question to the fans: help us name Goomer’s planet!
Stay tuned for details on how to submit your ideas—and maybe even win a signed strip if yours is chosen.
Listen to the Full Episode
Listen to Inside the Kingdom featuring Ricardo Martínez
Read Goomer on Comics Kingdom
Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Goomer for the first time, this episode is a love letter to creative friendship, artistic persistence, and the joy of finding humor in the chaos of the universe.