SOUTHERN BASTARDS #1 – Moody Monsignor here. Now, why the hell on God’s Green Lantern Earth-2 would I interrupt the faithful Padre’s Fistful with a guest spot of my own? Because this week, Image Comics’ Southern Bastards has the potential to the be the next Scalped — the #1 comic I recommend to folks just getting into comics who don’t want to read anything too capes or too tights. Now, while at the core of it all, the red-bleedin’ comic packs an emotive mystery drowned with southern sorrow and tears, Jason Aaron (Thor: God of Thunder) delivers the southern fried dialogue many of us are accustomed to. And, it’s needed with violence and situations so appalling, only a Cohen Brothers film featuring Clint Eastwood as a Son of Anarchy could top it. Thing is, I couldn’t help but chuckle throughout the Craw City detail of Jason (Aaron’s Wolverine & The X-Men successor) Latour‘s expressionistic flavor. Tapout sleeveless T and Toro Red Jordan 4’s on the thuggish son of a preacher man? Yes sir. There’s even a 4-wheelin’, Kool Aid T-shirt sportin’ inbred kid hanging from a tree. Details, plenty. The comic’s creative duo play Ron White to an otherwise typical story of “man on the righteous path to vengeance.” SB #1‘s got everything to fill your bible belt hollowed-bellied needs, slab of JD ribs and tater salad included. 4.25/5.
- RAI #1 –This week sees the all new Valiant dip into the past to bring back an old Valiant universe favorite. Sort of. This is a new Rai for a new generation unwrapped before our eyes by Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT) and Clayton Crain (X-Force, Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears). Right off the bat, let me tell you congregation, this is a gorgeous comic. Crain’s visuals elevate the story into the realm of Blade Runner tripping on acid. Kindt crafts a compelling sci-fi story set in a future Japan claustrophobic under the weight of new technology and cities built high into the sky. A definite page turner, I found myself fully engrossed in the world of our two main protagonists Rai and Lula, as well as the Raddies, the sector citizens and the “PT’s”. There also seems to be a nod to Hideo Kojima’s Solid Snake and the Metal Gear franchise in the character Spylocke (in all his forms). One of the best debuts in quite some time and another great start from Valiant. I am eagerly awaiting issue #2. 4/5.
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