Written by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Jason Latour
Publisher: Image
Gut punch after gut punch, Southern Bastards continues to prove to be the hidden (blood-encrusted) gem in Image’s growing stable of excellent, consistent titles.
The best part of Southern Bastards is how it never shies way from disturbing material. Issue #10 is entirely from the perspective of Coach Boss’ right hand man, Esaw. Esaw is a force of nature. Like a tornado that swept up a neo-nazi hate rally, we, as the reader, watch Esaw tear through homes, people, women, and (good-hearted) bible-peddlers. While some may find this type of issue distracting or even unnecessary, this reviewer enjoyed the wholly unique experience it brought, which shone through Esaw’s internal dialogue (which mostly consisted of an OCD like repetition of expletives).
Again, it may be true that this issue doesn’t move the story forward (at least at first glance) in a clear way, it is a look at evil that forces the reader to never turn away, like a dog rubbing it’s nose in feces. Maybe this doesn’t appeal to everybody, but this is crime-fiction that is so unique, it carves pentagrams into the tentpoles of the “Southern Gothic” style and forces a new, daring look at villainy.
Jason Latour’s scratchy and angular style has a very chaotic feel, like trying to take a picture of a lightning storm, and it works perfectly in this issue. Esaw unpredictability portrayed by Jason Aaron seems like a perfect script to use Latours many talents.
Don’t dismiss this issue as a pointless one-off, Esaw might have to carve your skull out.
