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Redneck
Redneck, Vol. 1: Deep in the Heart
The Bowmans are VAMPIRES who have quietly run the local barbecue joint in their small town for years, living off cows’ blood. Their peaceful coexistence ends as generations of hate, fear, and bad blood bubble to the surface—making it impossible to separate man from monster! Critically acclaimed writer DONNY CATES (GOD COUNTRY) and artist LISANDRO ESTHERREN serve up the tale of a DIFFERENT kind of family just trying to get by, deep in the heart of Texas. Collects REDNECK #1-6
127 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
November 26, 2019
3.5 stars
Alright. I really enjoyed this as an introduction to some characters, and I thought the play on the word Redneck was kind of cute.
But.
This isn't some genre-breaking comic, so go into it with the appropriate expectations.
So. The gist? A family of Texan vampires have a feud with another family of Texan preachers. The ensuing brawl doesn't work out well for either anyone.
It's an interesting start to a new story, and I'm looking forward to reading the next volume.
Alright. I really enjoyed this as an introduction to some characters, and I thought the play on the word Redneck was kind of cute.
But.
This isn't some genre-breaking comic, so go into it with the appropriate expectations.
So. The gist? A family of Texan vampires have a feud with another family of Texan preachers. The ensuing brawl doesn't work out well for either anyone.
It's an interesting start to a new story, and I'm looking forward to reading the next volume.
October 17, 2017
Texan vampires fight Texan Christians in the mightily underwhelming first volume of Redneck.
The thin story is unnecessarily convoluted given how simplistic it is, the characters are a hateable bunch of dreary idiots and Lisandro Esterren’s artwork is absolutely horrible and ugly – we’re talking high school level doodling. Worse, the comic is narrated in a pompous, self-important and unconvincing “wise” tone that it hasn’t earned. Like his other unimpressive Image series God Country, Donny Cates is once again doing his best Cormac McCarthy impression and making a fool of himself in the process.
I was bored the entire time – everything about Redneck sucked. It’ll inevitably invite comparisons to the superb Southern Bastards, purely because every comic set in the American South seems to these days, but don’t you believe it – Redneck is trash.
The thin story is unnecessarily convoluted given how simplistic it is, the characters are a hateable bunch of dreary idiots and Lisandro Esterren’s artwork is absolutely horrible and ugly – we’re talking high school level doodling. Worse, the comic is narrated in a pompous, self-important and unconvincing “wise” tone that it hasn’t earned. Like his other unimpressive Image series God Country, Donny Cates is once again doing his best Cormac McCarthy impression and making a fool of himself in the process.
I was bored the entire time – everything about Redneck sucked. It’ll inevitably invite comparisons to the superb Southern Bastards, purely because every comic set in the American South seems to these days, but don’t you believe it – Redneck is trash.
December 31, 2018
“You don’t get happy endings when you live forever.”
One of the best volumes I’ve read all year. Like vampires meets Southern Bastards. Drama, action, horror, historical fiction, and some fantastic gritty artwork. It has that classic horror feel with dynamic characters in a very real Deep South. Thanks to Image Comics for the advanced copy. Check it out!
One of the best volumes I’ve read all year. Like vampires meets Southern Bastards. Drama, action, horror, historical fiction, and some fantastic gritty artwork. It has that classic horror feel with dynamic characters in a very real Deep South. Thanks to Image Comics for the advanced copy. Check it out!
December 6, 2017
“You don’t get happy endings when you live forever.”
Well, I’ve been reading Southern Bastards and Outcast, and have read Preacher, so seem to be reading me somma that finger-lickin' good southern gothic horror (not all those three fit that description neatly, I know, but in my mind at least they bear similarities). While waiting for more Outcast and Southern Bastards, I read this and was pretty underwhelmed.
This is Southern Bastards meets vampires, which I don't think Southern Bastards really needs. This has lots of crazy vampires butchering cows for a bbq bar and restaurant. Just minding their sad business, living' their lives. Then one of them, a teen, goes up in flames on their front lawn for some reason and a war (a feud?) is on between Texas vampires and Christians. It just pales in comparison to any of the above stories. I don't really care about the characters, I hate vampires, and I am not a fan of the art. I saw at a glance that James and Mad Tom love it, so may reconsider once I find what they think about it, but I doubt it. I think this is not my cuppa. Interestingly, I also read last night another literal heart-eating volume, Neil Gaiman's horror Harlequin Valentine. Liked that a bit more.
Well, I’ve been reading Southern Bastards and Outcast, and have read Preacher, so seem to be reading me somma that finger-lickin' good southern gothic horror (not all those three fit that description neatly, I know, but in my mind at least they bear similarities). While waiting for more Outcast and Southern Bastards, I read this and was pretty underwhelmed.
This is Southern Bastards meets vampires, which I don't think Southern Bastards really needs. This has lots of crazy vampires butchering cows for a bbq bar and restaurant. Just minding their sad business, living' their lives. Then one of them, a teen, goes up in flames on their front lawn for some reason and a war (a feud?) is on between Texas vampires and Christians. It just pales in comparison to any of the above stories. I don't really care about the characters, I hate vampires, and I am not a fan of the art. I saw at a glance that James and Mad Tom love it, so may reconsider once I find what they think about it, but I doubt it. I think this is not my cuppa. Interestingly, I also read last night another literal heart-eating volume, Neil Gaiman's horror Harlequin Valentine. Liked that a bit more.
November 14, 2017
This is EASILY one of the best Graphic Novels I've read this year. And that's out of 390+ graphic novels. Come on folks, gather around, we have a winner.
Let me make it clear. I don't like vampires. I find most versions of these bloodsuckers kind of boring. I just don't get the appeal to be honest. I mean I love some stories like Salem's Lot but for the most part they are just not for me. So I went into Redneck really not expecting much. I never even read anything by Donny Cates. After this title that's going to change!
Remember True Blood? Southern vampires bickering and being little love-stricken babies. Not screw all that and put in Redneck vampires trying to survive. The story of Redneck revolves a family of vampires trying to just live their life. One night everything goes wrong, one of them is killed, and all hell breaks loose. This isn't your nice little vampires that sparkle these are vicious fuckers who can kill 20 or 30 people in seconds. By the end of the tale you are left breathless after the twist and turns.
Good: The characters are all broken in one way or another making them very interesting. The art is a big plus for me. I know some hate it but sometimes the sketchy type of art really grabs me and here it worked well. Especially in the darker moments when the vampires eyes glow, it gave me the creeps. The ending is great and leaves it open for so many interesting ways it can go. Very strong dialog mixed with interesting characters, make this one easy to recommend.
Bad: Maybe the art for some people?
Overall it's a great series that I was sucked into right away. The Rednecks are broken, mostly pieces of shit, but always interesting. I give this a 4.5 but I'ma hit a 5 just because it should be read by just about everyone.
Let me make it clear. I don't like vampires. I find most versions of these bloodsuckers kind of boring. I just don't get the appeal to be honest. I mean I love some stories like Salem's Lot but for the most part they are just not for me. So I went into Redneck really not expecting much. I never even read anything by Donny Cates. After this title that's going to change!
Remember True Blood? Southern vampires bickering and being little love-stricken babies. Not screw all that and put in Redneck vampires trying to survive. The story of Redneck revolves a family of vampires trying to just live their life. One night everything goes wrong, one of them is killed, and all hell breaks loose. This isn't your nice little vampires that sparkle these are vicious fuckers who can kill 20 or 30 people in seconds. By the end of the tale you are left breathless after the twist and turns.
Good: The characters are all broken in one way or another making them very interesting. The art is a big plus for me. I know some hate it but sometimes the sketchy type of art really grabs me and here it worked well. Especially in the darker moments when the vampires eyes glow, it gave me the creeps. The ending is great and leaves it open for so many interesting ways it can go. Very strong dialog mixed with interesting characters, make this one easy to recommend.
Bad: Maybe the art for some people?
Overall it's a great series that I was sucked into right away. The Rednecks are broken, mostly pieces of shit, but always interesting. I give this a 4.5 but I'ma hit a 5 just because it should be read by just about everyone.
October 27, 2017
Good-old boy vampires try to live in peace in Texas. They butcher cows for the local BBQ joint and drink their blood. But then one day one of their vampire teenagers is left going up in flames on their front lawn and their Hatfield and McCoy type feud with the Landry's starts up again.
The art in the book is terrible. It looks like chicken scratch, making the story difficult to follow in places. The little girl vampire, Perry, was the only character I found interesting. She was the only member of the clan that wasn't a complete dummy.
Received an advance copy from Image and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
The art in the book is terrible. It looks like chicken scratch, making the story difficult to follow in places. The little girl vampire, Perry, was the only character I found interesting. She was the only member of the clan that wasn't a complete dummy.
Received an advance copy from Image and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2022
Surprisingly not compelling at all. Maybe Donny Cates figured out world-building and storytelling with later works? Can't see at all how this tale of a vampire family in Texas is going to becomes a six volume series.
The characters are all nondescript and the villain is just a bigwig in the nearby town. The primary mystery ("what happened when Bartlett blacked out?") is resolved disappointingly - primarily because we don't care about any of the characters or know the rules of vampirism in this world. To make matters worse, Lisandro Estherren's artwork is scratchy and rough. It's hard to tell anyone apart in the many dark action scenes.
I have the next few volumes on hand, so I'll keep reading, but this is definitely no American Vampire.
The characters are all nondescript and the villain is just a bigwig in the nearby town. The primary mystery ("what happened when Bartlett blacked out?") is resolved disappointingly - primarily because we don't care about any of the characters or know the rules of vampirism in this world. To make matters worse, Lisandro Estherren's artwork is scratchy and rough. It's hard to tell anyone apart in the many dark action scenes.
I have the next few volumes on hand, so I'll keep reading, but this is definitely no American Vampire.
May 24, 2019
Not the best artwork. Still enjoyed the backstory and had fun reading this. Wonder where they take the story next.
March 21, 2021
Vampiros paletos texanos, entretenido y gamberro... habrá que seguir.
March 7, 2018
Ever watched Supernatural?
I do upon occasion and couldn’t help thinking, “So, this is what happens to the lives after Sam and Dean leave town.”.
This first volume encapsulates and takes the reader on a new and fascinating direction on vampires, families and the lifelong struggle of tolerance, acceptance, vengeance and love.
It’s written only in the way Cates is famous for-written brilliantly.
The collaborative art work is exceptional. It pulls the reader into the story. Written word and art is flawless, which is rare.
It’s not a “Wow! WOW! Wow book”. But, it is a darn good read.
I’m looking forward to the second volume coming out this summer in 2018!
I do upon occasion and couldn’t help thinking, “So, this is what happens to the lives after Sam and Dean leave town.”.
This first volume encapsulates and takes the reader on a new and fascinating direction on vampires, families and the lifelong struggle of tolerance, acceptance, vengeance and love.
It’s written only in the way Cates is famous for-written brilliantly.
The collaborative art work is exceptional. It pulls the reader into the story. Written word and art is flawless, which is rare.
It’s not a “Wow! WOW! Wow book”. But, it is a darn good read.
I’m looking forward to the second volume coming out this summer in 2018!
May 10, 2022
** Review is for vols 1-5 read back to back
Horror with a heart, and a reverence for the genre that precedes, underlies, and validates its irreverence.
The series builds slow and then explodes, going from local to global in the seeming blink of an eye, but with such a grounded foundation that the whiplash of altered scope isn't a fatal problem for the telling or a bald attempt to paper over story flaws with spectacle.
Horror with a heart, and a reverence for the genre that precedes, underlies, and validates its irreverence.
The series builds slow and then explodes, going from local to global in the seeming blink of an eye, but with such a grounded foundation that the whiplash of altered scope isn't a fatal problem for the telling or a bald attempt to paper over story flaws with spectacle.
June 19, 2018
Just didnt do it for me. Vampire stories have to be amazing to hook me. This story had a plot that was really thin and I felt it was stretched alot further than it should have gone. The pencil sketch art also didnt work for me.
August 26, 2018
I love Redneck. It’s story about Vampires that run a BBQ restaurant (with help from some humans named Phil and Evil). The narrator is a vamp named Bartlett and he’s so old that he remembers the Alamo. Hell, he got out of that situation in the nick of time. Bartlett goes out to make sure that JV’s boys don’t do anything stupid at the strip joint. He wakes up the next day lying on the front porch and all hell has broken loose.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2018
This graphic novel plants vampire horror into rural Texas. It was Ok, some scary imagery, but at the same time I feel as if I've read or watched much of this story before.
December 12, 2017
WOW....LOVED IT....A DARK TWIST OF WONDERFUL AMAZEMENT....AMAZING WRITING AND PLOT....SUCH A UNIQUE TAKE ON NOT JUST THE USUAL VAMPIRES WHERE THEY ARE EITHER EVIL OR GOOD BUT A THOUGHTFUL TAKE ON THE INNER WORKINGS OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE FOREVER AND SEE OR DO THINGS NORMAL HUMANS CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE....WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL
December 17, 2017
I very much enjoyed this offbeat vampire graphic novel. It revolves around a family of Texas vamps that depend on cow blood for sustenance and attempt to keep a low profile until their hateful grandfather puts their existence in jeopardy. It is so well written and I particularly liked the gritty but distinctive illustrations. I wholeheartedly recommend this title.
February 23, 2018
Full-blooded vampire tale, deep in the heart of Texas and with a Wild West backstory; Cates's script is pacy and layered - though I don't buy for one second - and Estherren's very loose and stylised art is hugely atmospheric.
(Read as single issues.)
(Read as single issues.)
February 17, 2019
Wow! Just wow. I read this after the rather dull God Country and was just blown away by the storytelling. This is the best Texas vampire story since Near Dark. The artwork isn't all that great, but the storytelling blows it out of the water. This is amazing, amazing stuff and I need to have more of it, right now!!!
November 17, 2017
a family of southern vampires with a batshit old as balls nosferatu grandpappy lurking in the attic run into a spot of trouble with a local gang of douchebags. this was fun. 4/5.
December 19, 2018
Redneck is must-read for horror fans. It takes the vampire story and gives it a fresh new spin.
April 8, 2020
I've always enjoyed the laid-back style of Texans. As calm as they are, they can also get inflamed right quick which leads to no good. A family of vampires has been keeping quiet for years, but now their hotheadedness will affect their life like it has before. They never do learn.
A night on the town and some inflamed spirits and harsh words lead to a spark that reignites a fewd between the vampire Bowmans led by JV and the Landrys led by father Luke Landry. JV's son Slap is killed which leads to all-out war. In these modern times it's no longer who is stronger that wins, it's who is smarter.
A night on the town and some inflamed spirits and harsh words lead to a spark that reignites a fewd between the vampire Bowmans led by JV and the Landrys led by father Luke Landry. JV's son Slap is killed which leads to all-out war. In these modern times it's no longer who is stronger that wins, it's who is smarter.
February 15, 2022
This deserves a 3.5 rating but Goodreads doesn't include fractions. However, it didn't resonate enough with me to earn 4 stars.
The Bowmans, a clan of immortal redneck vampires tries to keep quiet about their origins and have co-existed for years side-by-side with the citizens of a redneck town in rural Texas. But when one of their younger members is killed, the old rivalry between the Bowmans and the religious Landry's (led by pastor Father Landry) is rekindled and the body count starts to climb.
I would easily dismiss this if not for all the extras that writer Donny Cates includes. At it's heart this is a family saga with a good back-story and lots of conflict/drama. The cattle beef/partnership with a BBQ restaurant (run by "familiars") is clever. Grandpa represents the older, more bloodthirsty side of the family and this creates clashes with family leaders JV and Bartlett.
The art is interesting, which may remind some of the styles employed on CHEW and THE WALKING DEAD, with one big exception. While the action scenes and big panels are expressive, artist Lisandro Estherren doesn't do enough to distinguish between JV and Bartlett and other characters. They all have big droopy mustaches and you need to have them addressed by name in the dialogue to tell which person is in the panel.
The Bowmans, a clan of immortal redneck vampires tries to keep quiet about their origins and have co-existed for years side-by-side with the citizens of a redneck town in rural Texas. But when one of their younger members is killed, the old rivalry between the Bowmans and the religious Landry's (led by pastor Father Landry) is rekindled and the body count starts to climb.
I would easily dismiss this if not for all the extras that writer Donny Cates includes. At it's heart this is a family saga with a good back-story and lots of conflict/drama. The cattle beef/partnership with a BBQ restaurant (run by "familiars") is clever. Grandpa represents the older, more bloodthirsty side of the family and this creates clashes with family leaders JV and Bartlett.
The art is interesting, which may remind some of the styles employed on CHEW and THE WALKING DEAD, with one big exception. While the action scenes and big panels are expressive, artist Lisandro Estherren doesn't do enough to distinguish between JV and Bartlett and other characters. They all have big droopy mustaches and you need to have them addressed by name in the dialogue to tell which person is in the panel.
January 27, 2018
This was truly excellent. The best vampire story I've read in ages. These vampires are a family living in seclusion, minding their own business, drinking their own cattle's blood, in a small town for over a century. However, there is a feud going on between the Bowmans and the townsfolk family the Landrys, sort of a Hatfield and McCoy thing. For a hundred years it's been one of ours, one of theirs and so forth. But there has been relative peace, at least no dead, for a long spell now until one of the Bowmans is killed and the furious fever of anger takes grip again. The characterization is very good, not usually seen too often in horror comics. But we really get to know those involved. This first volume covers an entire story arc with a proper ending that leaves our cast on their way to who knows what. Excellent read and great art.
November 3, 2020
7/10
This is a fun page turner, I liked the art style and colour. The story isn't original in anyway and the slangs grew tiresome despite knowing full well what I was getting into with a book called Redneck . I think the deep American south is perpetually on a pedestal in Coates' writing and it's just something that irks me a little. That said, he is very talented when it comes to writing something entertaining, I read this in one sitting and I didn't see the time fly.
The collection itself is very cheap, no chapter breaks, not a single cover or piece of extra. 6 issues, 128 pages.
This is a fun page turner, I liked the art style and colour. The story isn't original in anyway and the slangs grew tiresome despite knowing full well what I was getting into with a book called Redneck . I think the deep American south is perpetually on a pedestal in Coates' writing and it's just something that irks me a little. That said, he is very talented when it comes to writing something entertaining, I read this in one sitting and I didn't see the time fly.
The collection itself is very cheap, no chapter breaks, not a single cover or piece of extra. 6 issues, 128 pages.
September 29, 2023
If you enjoy vampire comics. Then it’s worth reading….but wow bbq sauce ….
September 29, 2019
A family lives a quiet life in Sulpher Springs, TX - a father, kids, uncle & grandfather. Except this family has a secret...
Donny Cates weaves an interesting tale of old grudges festering, and the art is reminiscent of Gabriel Ba's (on Umbrella Academy).
All in all, it was an interesting take on vampires & families that read quickly. I can't wait to hear more about the Bowman family.
Donny Cates weaves an interesting tale of old grudges festering, and the art is reminiscent of Gabriel Ba's (on Umbrella Academy).
All in all, it was an interesting take on vampires & families that read quickly. I can't wait to hear more about the Bowman family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2021
Maravilla de primer volumen. Veremos cómo sigue, porque es bastante auto conclusivo. Dibujo excepcional y guión sólido.
January 16, 2022
The premise is good. The art is fine. The characters are interesting. I'm interested in reading more, particularly given the latest addition to the family.
June 17, 2018
3.0 Stars
I wasn't particularly immersed in the story, but this was an interesting take on vampire fiction with gruesome colored artwork.
I wasn't particularly immersed in the story, but this was an interesting take on vampire fiction with gruesome colored artwork.
June 19, 2023
A very interesting play on the term "Redneck". This tail of Vampires in Texas trying to coexist with humans is well done. When a family feud boils over setting the in motion a series of events the patron JV had hoped to avoid. This first installment has you seeking for more and it does not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews