Image Comics 2016
Written by Brian Azzarello
Illustrated by Eduardo Risso
Colour Assists by Cristian Rossi
Lettered & Designed by Jared H. Fletcher
Gangster Lou Pirlo thought he was stepping up in the NYC mob when he got sent to Appalachia to broker a big moonshine deal. Instead, he stepped right in the middle of a good ol' fashioned family feud...and when one of the family might be a werewolf, things get bloody right quick.
Well the opening here is pretty interesting. I love seeing kids and we’ve got three of em here trying to snatch a turtle to make some soup when they come across quite the gruesome sight. If you were around last issue you’ll understand what happened but leave it at this is something you’ll remember forever. This of course brings the local sheriff to Lou’s door but the only problem with that is Lou spent the day and night drinking some moonshine and doesn’t quite remember the events of last night all too clearly.
I like the way this is set up. I mean it’s in the past so the style of dress and speak is a lot different than it is now. There’s a cultural barrier as well and not just because he’s in the Appalachia but within that where negroes are concerned. So Brian really has to do some research here into the area, how they behaved and the cultural aspects of this time and he’s bringing this to life incredibly well.
Eduardo does more than his fair share of bringing this to life incredibly well. From the use of shadows and the clothing, the look of his room, the cars you name it he really does take us back in time. Honestly I wish rooms still had this homey touch and we all actually dressed to leave the house like Lou does. The use of page layouts through angles, perspective and even backgrounds really do wonders in fleshing out the larger picture of this world.
I like that the story takes the turn that it does. I mean there has to be more reasons for Holt to not be interested than the reasons he gave. Though to be honest if it ain’t broke no sense in tryin to fix something right. The turn of events here however would suggest that there are some in the family that see this venture as a way to move into the future and make enough money to get out of this god forsaken countryside.
They say no good deed goes unpunished but what about those that aren’t good deeds? I am such a huge fan of the way Brian tells a story. The level of complexity here is utterly amazing and it’s so interesting to see how he’s putting different pieces of the puzzle together to create the bigger picture. The interludes between Lou and Joe are nice and it’s good to see that Lou really doesn’t have a choice in making the deal happen but that’s really secondary to what’s happening in town here. The backwater, backwoods culture or Moonshining in Appalachia meets New York City mob life is the best mixing/blending of unusual cultures you’ll ever experience.