Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Jason Latour
Release Date: 2nd July 2014

Blair Says…

I think fan letter writer Jonathan Rodriguez put it best when he brought in the quote from Di Caprio’s Calvin Candie in Django Unchained:

“You had my curiosity; now, you most certainly have my attention.”

That is the best description of how I feel about Southern Bastards after recently finishing the third instalment of this southern tale.

As bizarre as it may sound to someone unfamiliar with the title thus far, two of the most compelling characters in this unravelling tale have been a large tree…and a big stick. Representing a past that Earl Tubb had hoped he had left behind, these objects haunt him at almost every turn; appearing regularly throughout the three issues released so far.

The overarching theme of the series so far is the idea of fight or flight…and in this issue, Earl Tubb finally makes up his mind!  An unbelievable page turner with the potential to get even better.

Rating: 5/5.

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Stanley Stu-brick Says…

Walk tall and carry a big stick. This is part three of an excellent Southern drama. Earl Tubb has made a hefty decision that has brought him to a place where he dreaded on going. What was a simple journey home to gather some old things and say a final so long and good riddance to a town and a life long forgotten has turned quickly into a battle for control. This is a battle Earl has no desire to lose.

What struck me first about Southern Bastards was its ode to the drive-in exploitation movies of the 70’s. I grew up watching those great flicks and here it is as grim and as harsh as you’d expect. This is a story of old time college football and how tight a grip it can have over those whose lives it revolves around and those who’s lives it crushes. Well fleshed out characters suck you into a story who’s art by Jason Latour is on the border line of grotesque, stupid people look it and rotten ones smell it. I can’t help but see James Woods as the Coach. Its great that Jason Aaron gives everyone a fresh voice and weaves a story that both utilises Jason Latour’s art and your own thirst for revenge. Southern hospitality this ‘aint.

They say you can never go home, Earl Tubb has found out that he should never have left.

Rating: 5/5.

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