Southern Bastards #5

By Jason Aaron & Jason Latour

After the jaw-dropping finale to the first arc of Southern Bastards, Jason Aaron and Jason Latour focus on Coach Boss, the apparent primary antagonist of the series. While the aftermath resolves, the creative team explores Boss’ past and what man type of man, or monster, he is…

This issue was a fascinating character study. In most circumstances, an audience will gain a clear understanding of an individual, but not with this issue of Southern Bastards. As much as Aaron and Latour play the stereotypes of the South, they can develop some complicated characters. As soon as Coach Boss appears to have some complicated form of honor or respect, he does or says something that speaks to the contrary. It is this very dichotomy that intensifies this individual and makes the comic so enthralling. All readers will probably take away is that he is not ashamed of who is.

The other key section of the comic is when Boss references several other characters that will no doubt come into play as the story progresses. Just from the ominous representations done stunningly well by Latour alone, the reader can infer some off the wall conflicts are on the rise. Each panel has distinct color schemes and positions the people in foreboding poses. The panel layout for this cut-away sequence is also very intriguing. It is broken down as a full-page shot on one page and two panels on the following page. Perhaps, the creative team is hinting at which characters will play major roles in the forthcoming arc? Only time will tell.

There is no doubt that I was not alone in the excitement for the return of Southern Bastards. This book creeps on the reader and grounds its southern roots into the eyes and minds of its audience. This is another great installment in the powerful series.