Immersive and bold, That Texas Blood will resonate with anyone thirsting for a full bodied, neo-western noir.” — Multiversity Comics ThatTexasBlood has a lot of that more-behind-what-it-shows air of mystery to it. i actually even thought there would be more supernatural affectations to it but that turns out to be some storytelling motif. All that across six tersely beautiful issues that do you the courtesy of finally just showing you instead of telling you in laborious, overwrought narration. It’s also awesome too, Condon excels at the crime stuff but also totally nails the cosmic terror of bad childhoods, the death grip of “masculinity”, the grace of aging (and the disconnection from society that comes with it). This thing is kinda all things to all

This is the first volume of what promises to be a terrific crime comics series in the tradition of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, such as their Pulp (also western) comic. And there’s good reason for mentioning them, the top of the line crime comics team in history, since Jacob did color work on some recent volumes of their most recent Criminal volumes, and Jacob is Sean’s son. And he is really good, having learned at Daddy’s knee. The resemblances are evident and admirable. Jacob Phillips have been taught well and impressively stands out as a future worthy successor to his father. I’ll admit I’m not too fond of the way he colors for now but I’m pretty sure it’ll pass with time. And yet, despite those issues, Condon knows how to wrote characterization that feels organic, most notably in the old-timer Joe Bob. The first issue is really about a day in Joe Bob’s life before the main storyline commences. Although he is determined to solve this murder case, you can also sense the weariness of this man, who prefers the quiet comfort of being with his wife. His recurring phrase throughout the book is “well”, which sums up Joe Bob completely. Blood and cruelty spill into the kindness and manners that provide Coates’ town a quaint, charming appeal... That Texas Blood is a ghost story and a Western, and it questions whether there is a difference between the two. As it builds upon the legacy of other modern Westerns, which raised similar questions, it’s not difficult to see how the series may stand comfortably upon the shoulders of giants.” — ComicBook.com In That Texas Blood #7, Joe Bob reminisces about one of his first cases: a haunting and bizarre evening that left a boy dead, a girl missing, a cult on the loose, and introduced a mysterious man called Harlan Eversaul.The ending is really good. It pretty much wraps everything up for this story (but supposedly there will be a second volume which I will definitely be reading). On to the story. It starts off with this typically Texan community thats close-knit. Condon really got down the dialogue that pe ople down in Texas or the Southern US in general talk, because some words I don't even understand. It might seem boring or casual, but going deeper into the book, a increasingly hints at a a future event. But that allurement still doesn't cover up that this book can be pretty bogged down or dull. idk, it was a jog to get through 2/3rd of this.

Chris Condon, the writer and apparent mentee of Brubaker, is also good in this first volume. The story is called by some western noir, and I guess that fits. Condon’s story isn’t as layered or filled with as many pop culture references or is quite as clever as Brubaker’s work, but that is the highest standard. Condon has a nice ear for dialogue and a sense of humor echoing Brubaker: A casserole dish is featured as punchline for a macabre joke. Brubaker would nod in approval at one of his chapter titles, such as from Act Two, Scene One of Hamlet: “More grief to hide than hate to utter love.” That Texas Blood, vol. 3 - Collects #14-19. "As a winter storm looms over Ambrose County in January of 1992, a local woman's body is discovered and believed to be the latest victim of a horrifying West Texas serial murderer known as the Red Queen Killer." - NOV220157 - WorldCat - ISBN 9781534323520 Michael John Petty has been a Features Writer with Collider since 2021 and has had a blast ever since. Michael received his B.A. in Film & Photography from Montana State University and has over a decade's worth of podcasting experience. That Texas Blood #7 Cover A by Phillips (Diamond Code APR210194) and That Texas Blood #7 Cover by Marc Aspinall (Diamond Code APR210195) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, June 30.The text commentary by writer Chris Condon really nails the meaning of several of these scenes, kind of symbolic and poetic at the same time. Makes you wonder if the main character of this book is Coates, Randy, or the state of Texas itself. It's that Texas blood, quite the influence. Overall great stuff. I think this will attract many Brubaker comparisons because of the plot and the art work but this has a ton of merit beyond that. Jacob Phillips and Chris Condon have their own flair for telling a story like this. i like Sheriff Joe Bob and no one else. maybe that's another reason im not so wowed with this overall. the characters are mostly angry, unhappy people with issues i dont care for. especially the main dude this run was mostly about. Image Comics has long been known as the home of exciting new talent. From the earliest days of the publisher, they’ve been carving out a space for themselves as the bad boys and often the best work that the company puts out reflects that. The first issue of Image Comics’ newest series That Texas Bloodfits under that banner well not only as a horror tinged take on crime in Texas but also hinting at anexploration of masculinity, aging, and finding your place in an ever more unfamiliar world. Now THAT is some by god good damn comics, y’all. I knew as soon as I finished the stellar #1 issue that I was gonna just burn through this, and whatta ya know…

Except I don’t remember Brubaker being this good so early in his career. This doesn’t read like a newcomer comic at all - Condon’s storytelling is so damned confident and polished, from the fast-moving, exciting story, to the sharp characterisation and effortless dialogue, this reads like a veteran comics writer at the helm. It’s really impressive.There’s homespun, down-home humor you might see as cliched, but I think even Texans might enjoy it as fun. Joe Bob kills a rattlesnake with a shovel--hey, why dint he jus’ shoot it?! Joe Bob is every older tightlipped western sheriff you ever saw or read about, but he’s real and really likable. Little touches, too: We see a woman in a t-shirt that reads “Everything's Bigger in Texas.” Someone says, “Better to seem a fool than to open up your mouth and remove all doubt.”