Review - Southern Bastards #3

Review by Paul Fiander
The Comic is available in both print and digital from Image comics. Follow this link for more details.
The scene has been set and we have had glimpses of the story, now issue 3 of Sothern Bastards really starts getting to grips with the narrative. I have loved the slice of life look at the Deep South even though at times it has been brutal and unrelenting but this book felt larger than a small town tale. Now with the foundation set about the way the town is run, it’s time for Earl Tubb to come into his own. 

There is a sense of been there done that with this storyline from films like Gran Torino, the old man who everyone underestimates starts to rattle the established cages in the neighbourhood.  Southern Bastards though does have another string for the central protagonists bow in the form of Earl’s relationship with his father. Jason Aarons does a great job of letting you know there was friction between the two men and that the elder Tubb was something of a folk hero in his native Craw County. Of course just because others respected the sheriff does not mean his son is able to respect the man. This dynamic helps to elevate the story and without it the narrative could feel more like a strong albeit worn outing.

There is one issue I have had so far is the motivation for Earl to stay in the area, this has been put down to his caring about a friend who was attacked. However I never really felt that there was an emotional bond there and in a way although it humanises the situation it also feels a little bit forced. It should have been enough that he just wanted to clean up his home town but the relationship angle has now been played and Aaron’s does a good job in keeping this idea fresh in the readers mind as Earl continues his quest to discover the names of his “friend’s” assailants.

Jason Latour is getting to delve more and more into his action box of tricks as the issues start to build up. In this he helps give Earl as sense of power and you can truly believe he is able to function in the way the story depicts. I really hope though he has no trace of OCD because if he does drawing that many crooked teeth must be driving him insane.

All in all issue 3 is beginning to draw the meat out of the story; this is feels like a good move to keep the pacing of the narrative on point. Southern Bastards is fast becoming one of the best books I read and with a recipe for Deep Fried Apple Pie at the end of the story what else could you ask for.  

Issue Rating 4.5/5

Preview Gallery

A little more more gritty tales with a realistic bent.

Satellite Sam, Vol. 1 TP

The 1950's in televisions golden age are the setting for this tale of murder and sleaze.
Southern Bastards #1

Where the tale started for the Jason's.
Images courtesy of Image Comics
Comic - Provided by Publisher