That Texas Blood, Volume 1 (Texas Blood, 1)

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Immersive and bold, That Texas Blood will resonate with anyone thirsting for a full bodied, neo-western noir.” — Multiversity Comics 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.

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. The art is good. So it’s drawn by Jacob Phillips, who is the son of Sean Phillips. Having been a fan of Sean’s art for a while, it’s pretty obvious that while it is definitely different, Jacob was probably inspired by and learned a lot from his father. I think he’ll definitely be getting a lot of jobs in the family business and I look forward to seeing it.So what's so great about That Texas Blood? What makes this strange cross between True Detective, Stephen King, and a Taylor Sheridan production so special? Well, for starters, this Texas-based comic is one of the most well-written and intricately woven indie books in years. But, even more than that, and just in time for "Spooky Season," it's a pretty great horror book that covers all your favorite eras of modern horror. There is a horrible little county in Texas, where horrible little men and women commit their horrible little acts, crashing into each other’s lives in grim, poetic ways. Volume One told pretty much a complete story so maybe the second will be about entirely something else. if that's the case I'm totally signing up for it. i hope there will be more lovable characters. 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 On the other hand Condon and Phillips really set up an excellent atmosphere. The pacing is oh so slow, splashed with sudden outbursts of violence. Again No country for old men comes to mind and I really liked book and mocie both.

The story is very intense and interesting. Waiting for the next issue each month like I did is how I imagine many feel waiting for the next episode of an award winning cable drama every week (I can’t fully say for sure though, I watch TV on streaming). This comic is a very compelling tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats!

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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.” Issue #1 is an amazing standalone tale that introduces Joseph Coates, the 70-year old sheriff of desert-like and small-town area of Ambrose County, Texas. Coates has some amusing idiosyncrasies to go along with the casual neighborly way he handles his job. He's feeling his years, and begins to doubt his abilities to continue doing his job properly. A great introductory issue. If one gets at once fond of Joe Bob-and Martha and Flores to an extent, Randy is way too underdeveloped for the reader to really care about him. Condon uses a very clipped text narration-third person, short sentences- quite opposed to Ed Brukaker’s (of course Brubaker would be cited somewhere, what did you expect?). It clearly doesn’t help "feeling" Randy. Oddly he doesnt do the same with Joe Bob. I understand that Joe Bob is somewhat the common thread of what Condon wants to develop but secondary main characters should be more focused on, if only to get the reader interested in them. 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.

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… That Texas Blood, vol. 1 - Collects #1-6. "Sheriff Joe Bob Coates questions his effectiveness as the aging lawman of Ambrose County, Texas as chaos descends following an explosive highway confrontation and the mysterious death of local rogue Travis Terrill." - OCT200050 - WorldCat - ISBN 9781534318069 - Kindle I guess I thought it was a horror thing but it being a sun-baked and boozy neo-noir makes all the sense in the world too. It’s basically Blood Simple: The Comic. Equal parts The Coens and Brubaker, filtered through the pen of a native (at least I’m pretty sure Condon is Texan. You don’t get this woefully and beautifully specific about the feeling of BEING Texan without actually being one). 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.Following some themes of the first volume (which, chronologically, takes place many decades later), Volume 2 takes its time to ponder the evils of Ambrose County, more specifically why this West Texan landscape seems cursed. As Joe Bob asks these questions, and Eversaul asks a few more of his own, the only thing that's clear in this cultic horror is that lives are at stake, people are crazy, and if the law won't let you save those who need saving, you may have to do so yourself. It's an excellent arc that is not only one of the best comic book stories this author has read in recent years but one that stays in mind for months afterward. Yes, it's really that good. This book is great! I’m no awards expert so can’t say for sure but with this level of greatness from new creators in comics, I would be surprised if these guys aren’t future Eisner award winners. 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.

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.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