Skybound/Image Comics 2017
Created & Written by Donny Cates
Created & Illustrated by Lisandro Estherren
Coloured by Dee Cunniffe
Lettered by Joe Sabino
Hot Diggity Undead Damn!
Last issue we learned about how things have been working in this town between the Vampires and the humans. Only there was an altercation one that led to a vampire's death and set off a chain reaction for what’s to come. I’m not entirely sure why anyone would turn a family of rednecks into vampires but heck here we are and mighty glad someone did.
While we aren’t getting into the details per se we are learning more about the BBQ joint that JV and them own. It’s actually a pretty sweet setup raise cattle, sate your thirst on their blood when you kill them for the meat and have humans run the business to keep it all legit. The way that Donny keeps expanding this little world is fantastic.
Speaking of fantastic the characterisation here certainly qualifies. It should also come as no surprise who has quickly emerged as my favourite character either. Though Granpa might come in as a dark horse if we ever get a chance to really see him! Perry is one of the most delightful members of this family, i’m dying to know when she was turned since it’s obvious she hasn’t hit puberty yet however she’s not afraid to speak her mind and is far more intelligent than any of the men around her. Oh yeah and she’s got that mind power too that only granpa has.
I have to say it doesn’t really surprise me that a so-called man of the cloth is the reason this story is taking a sideways turn. Them religious freaks think they are above the rest of us and can pick and choose what parts of the bible apply to them as they claim piousness and righteousness. When you start adding into the mix those backwater preachers who use snakes and such in their sermons you know you are in for a world of judgmental hurt.
Oh my lurd seriously you’ve got vampires on one side and that pentecostal preacher and his followers on the other side and all of em have necks as red as colour of blood. This here’s the reason why this book is so damn enjoyable because it doesn’t pull punches, it isn’t trying to appease anyone it’s just no holds barred solid depiction of this backwater town.
I’m still trying to decide on Lisandro’s interior work. I mean on the one hand there are times it looks like a child did it versus those moments when characters strike you as they should with that oomph. It’s got this odd quality to it that is both fascinating and infuriating like someone’s trying to make the new Cartoon Network animation style a legitimate art style in a more serious manner. It’s contrasts itself at times and yet it seems to fit these characters and this world.
Oddball, weird and totally without apology that’s the kind of storytelling being done here, boy is it a good time to be reading comics!