The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
skybalon's review
4.0
At this point, you should know what you are getting with this series. My only criticism is that it feels like the series should be wrapping up but ultimately does not.
some_okie_dude27's review
This arc reminds me of a conversation that my friend Tim and I had a few months ago, where we were talking about one of our mutual favorite comics Deadly Class. He said that the new arc that was coming out felt like a climax to the series. I have to say that I feel the same way about this volume of Southern Bastards: it feels like a climax.
Everything seems to come together in this volume. We take a break from the one offs of the previous arc and go back to the main story. My biggest praise of this volume has to be that the climax of this arc feels earned, which is quite rare to see in long running comics nowadays. The two Jasons take their time to build the major conflict between Coach Boss and all of his many enemies, and they manage to pay it off beautifully towards the end. It goes back to what I said about Aaron's big strength: he has a great sense of set up and pay off.
The climactic fight between Coach Boss, Roberta Tubb, and the rest of Coach Boss' enemies has a sense of culmination to it, even though we're not quite at the end of the series just yet. The fight is just as dramatic, intense, and somewhat ridiculous as this series has been shown to be. It's true to the series' character as we've come to experience it and one can tell that the two Jasons had a blast when creating this part of the story. It gets me excited to see how this story is going to wrap up eventually, whenever we'll get there.
The Jasons have always been clear about how the series is both a love letter and indignant rant against the Deep South and all of the contradictions that come from being in the South. We see southerners at their best and worst, showing the mixture of hatred and camaraderie. Also, the love of football continues to bleed into this series, with one of the series' strongest moments being found during a scene that is depicting the sport at hand. I can't wait to see more of it!
Despite my praises, there are still a few weaknesses that are found in the series. Chris Brunner's artwork continues to be unpleasant to look at. I still get the idea that he's drawing the Looney Toon versions of these characters. I understand that the series is meant to be satirical in some ways, but I find that Brunner's art takes away from the genuine suspense and tension that's been building in this series. Latour's art on the other hand continues to impress. Another issue that I noticed is a part is a part towards the end where a main character gives a gigantic speech about their motivations, which comes off as clunky and unwarranted. But asides from that, there's nothing but love for this series from me.
As mentioned before, it's not often that a series can build itself to a satisfying conclusion, much less a satisfying climactic battle. To see a series that's been going on as long as Southern Bastards has is truly awe inspiring. Comic book writers should take note when reading this series in how to tell a long form story in comics, because the two Jasons know what's going on when it comes to comic book storytelling.
*sigh* But now I have to wait like everyone else to see this series come back and see what they do next. Though with all of the bullshit with Jason Latour, and Jason Aaron's busy schedule at Marvel. It may come a lot later than we all expect.
Everything seems to come together in this volume. We take a break from the one offs of the previous arc and go back to the main story. My biggest praise of this volume has to be that the climax of this arc feels earned, which is quite rare to see in long running comics nowadays. The two Jasons take their time to build the major conflict between Coach Boss and all of his many enemies, and they manage to pay it off beautifully towards the end. It goes back to what I said about Aaron's big strength: he has a great sense of set up and pay off.
The climactic fight between Coach Boss, Roberta Tubb, and the rest of Coach Boss' enemies has a sense of culmination to it, even though we're not quite at the end of the series just yet. The fight is just as dramatic, intense, and somewhat ridiculous as this series has been shown to be. It's true to the series' character as we've come to experience it and one can tell that the two Jasons had a blast when creating this part of the story. It gets me excited to see how this story is going to wrap up eventually, whenever we'll get there.
The Jasons have always been clear about how the series is both a love letter and indignant rant against the Deep South and all of the contradictions that come from being in the South. We see southerners at their best and worst, showing the mixture of hatred and camaraderie. Also, the love of football continues to bleed into this series, with one of the series' strongest moments being found during a scene that is depicting the sport at hand. I can't wait to see more of it!
Despite my praises, there are still a few weaknesses that are found in the series. Chris Brunner's artwork continues to be unpleasant to look at. I still get the idea that he's drawing the Looney Toon versions of these characters. I understand that the series is meant to be satirical in some ways, but I find that Brunner's art takes away from the genuine suspense and tension that's been building in this series. Latour's art on the other hand continues to impress. Another issue that I noticed is a part is a part towards the end where a main character gives a gigantic speech about their motivations, which comes off as clunky and unwarranted. But asides from that, there's nothing but love for this series from me.
As mentioned before, it's not often that a series can build itself to a satisfying conclusion, much less a satisfying climactic battle. To see a series that's been going on as long as Southern Bastards has is truly awe inspiring. Comic book writers should take note when reading this series in how to tell a long form story in comics, because the two Jasons know what's going on when it comes to comic book storytelling.
*sigh* But now I have to wait like everyone else to see this series come back and see what they do next. Though with all of the bullshit with Jason Latour, and Jason Aaron's busy schedule at Marvel. It may come a lot later than we all expect.
crookedtreehouse's review
4.0
I don't find comic writers who present racist or homophobic or transphobic or misogynist villains, employing them as an excuse to be able to use problematic language (sure, I drop the "n" word every other page, but it's because the bad guy is a racist, not me) to be edgy or interesting.
One of the reasons I'm enjoying Jason Aaron and [a:Jason Latour|4456310|Jason Latour|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1488513529p2/4456310.jpg]'s "Southern Bastards" is because the villains are racist problematic shitfaces, but we are shown this mostly through their action rather than their dialogue. Yes, because they are sometimes battling people of color, there is an occasional epithet. But I believe it's shown up three times in twenty issues. That seems like the creative team is trying to be realistic, not edgy.
This was almost another five star book for me. The pacing is crisp, the twists are often actually surprising, and the characters and their motivations seem real. Until the last few pages.
The book seemed to be amping up to an ending (which is so much preferable to winding down), or giving us another pivot, like at the end of volume one, where a major character is killed, thus giving us a new angle to the storyline. While there is somewhat of a pivot, the ending didn't change the status quo from where it's been since volume two. It's advanced the plot significantly, but it didn't leave me excited for more, it made me worry that they're going to tread water with this particular storyarc. And that's fine. It's a solid storyarc idea. I'm still going to read and recommend it. I was just hoping for a little more.
I still recommend this to just about anyone who enjoys comic series aimed at adults, people who were sad about the demise of DC's Vertigo line, and fans of [b:Scalped, Vol. 1: Indian Country|1297291|Scalped, Vol. 1 Indian Country (Scalped, #1)|Jason Aaron|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408986639s/1297291.jpg|1286437] or [b:100 Bullets, Vol. 1: First Shot, Last Call|94510|100 Bullets, Vol. 1 First Shot, Last Call|Brian Azzarello|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327888942s/94510.jpg|2647240].
One of the reasons I'm enjoying Jason Aaron and [a:Jason Latour|4456310|Jason Latour|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1488513529p2/4456310.jpg]'s "Southern Bastards" is because the villains are racist problematic shitfaces, but we are shown this mostly through their action rather than their dialogue. Yes, because they are sometimes battling people of color, there is an occasional epithet. But I believe it's shown up three times in twenty issues. That seems like the creative team is trying to be realistic, not edgy.
This was almost another five star book for me. The pacing is crisp, the twists are often actually surprising, and the characters and their motivations seem real. Until the last few pages.
The book seemed to be amping up to an ending (which is so much preferable to winding down), or giving us another pivot, like at the end of volume one, where a major character is killed, thus giving us a new angle to the storyline. While there is somewhat of a pivot, the ending didn't change the status quo from where it's been since volume two. It's advanced the plot significantly, but it didn't leave me excited for more, it made me worry that they're going to tread water with this particular storyarc. And that's fine. It's a solid storyarc idea. I'm still going to read and recommend it. I was just hoping for a little more.
I still recommend this to just about anyone who enjoys comic series aimed at adults, people who were sad about the demise of DC's Vertigo line, and fans of [b:Scalped, Vol. 1: Indian Country|1297291|Scalped, Vol. 1 Indian Country (Scalped, #1)|Jason Aaron|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408986639s/1297291.jpg|1286437] or [b:100 Bullets, Vol. 1: First Shot, Last Call|94510|100 Bullets, Vol. 1 First Shot, Last Call|Brian Azzarello|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327888942s/94510.jpg|2647240].
lukeisthename34's review
3.0
Ugh! I love this series so much and was really enjoying this volume right until the end. Decisions made by main characters make no sense OTHER than to keep a story going. The moment that happens, a story dies for me.
tabman678's review
5.0
Southern Bastards is so good. God every volume just hits it out of the park. It’s my favorite independent title being produced along with Saga.
It’s drawn perfectly and it doesn’t hold back, there is no filler here. Great writing.
It’s just good shit cover to cover. And I love it.
Read this volume, read the whole series. I will be.
5 stars.
It’s drawn perfectly and it doesn’t hold back, there is no filler here. Great writing.
It’s just good shit cover to cover. And I love it.
Read this volume, read the whole series. I will be.
5 stars.
indigo_han's review
4.0
Well, after all the darkness, and human frailty, and stupidity, and seeing poor Earl Tubbs fail,
Here comes Roberta. And she is badass. Dang girl, I’m actually leaving one of these arcs feeling hopeful
Here comes Roberta. And she is badass. Dang girl, I’m actually leaving one of these arcs feeling hopeful