This week's review is not of a new comic book title, but it's definitely worth a read. The comic is Redneck issue #1 from Image Comics. This comic is written and co-created by Austin's own, Donny Cates, with art by Lisandro Esther Ren (who also is a co-creator) and colors by Dee Cunniffe. Although I am not typically into Vampires due to the fact that, in my opinion, they have been played out in both movies and comics, it seems Donny Cates has flipped the script in this vampire story.
The Redneck universe centers around a a small family of vampires known as the Bowman clan who live in a quiet countryside farmhouse in Sulphur Springs, TX. Family members include; JV, the head family, Uncle Bartlett, the oldest and most level-headed, three young vigorous males, Slap, Seamus, and Greg, and Perry, the youngest and only female of the clan. The family has quietly ran a local barbecue joint in their small town for years, choosing to live off cow's blood instead of feeding on humans.
On Christmas Eve, the three young vampires decide to head into town against JV's wishes.
Of course, the Vampires get into trouble with some of the locals at a strip joint, only to be saved from doing anything stupid by Uncle Bartlett, who followed them into town. Father Laundry, a local preacher, also shows up and gives the impression that the two families (Bowman/Laundry) have a history. The Bowman's peaceful coexistence ends as generations of hate, fear, and bad blood bubble to the surface.
"Redneck is truly a dream come true for me as a storyteller, and to be able to tell this story on a stage as nice as Skybound and Image have given us? I don't think it gets better than that,” said Cates. “Redneck is deeply personal for me, and I think will be for a lot of people out there as well. It's a story about a family's quest to turn themselves into more than the monsters they've always been. To find a little peace in a world that hates them. It ain't gonna be easy, and it's sure as hell gonna be bloody. But it might just be the best time you've ever had reading a book about vampires!"
The artwork and colors used in this comic give it an old Grind house feel, which goes perfect with Donny Cate's story. I thoroughly enjoyed this issue and the series in general.
I give this a 4.5/5
Alex Sanchez