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Hillbilly: Preview
An exclusive ComiXology original short story introducing Eric Powell's new series Hillbilly!
8 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2022
About the author
Eric Powell
506 books284 followersEric Powell has contributed work on such comics titles as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Hellboy: Weird Tales, Star Wars Tales, The Incredible Hulk, Black Panther, The Avengers, The Hood, MAD Magazine, Devil Dinosaur, Swamp Thing, the Avengers, She-Hulk, the Simpsons, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell and Action Comics.
Although eking out a meager living in the comics field since 1995, Eric didn't find true success until he launched his critically acclaimed dark comedy series The Goon. The Goon was subsequently picked up by Dark Horse Comics and boasts a diehard cult following.
Although eking out a meager living in the comics field since 1995, Eric didn't find true success until he launched his critically acclaimed dark comedy series The Goon. The Goon was subsequently picked up by Dark Horse Comics and boasts a diehard cult following.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 30, 2016
Eric Powell, creator of The Goon, resurrects his old publishing imprint, Albatross Funny Books, for his new series, Hillbilly, which kicks off on June 29th. This preview is a free Comixology exclusive short story that introduces the character and his world both of which are decidedly Powell-ish!
A couple of Southern-accented monsters are preparing a fire in the dark woods to cook their dinner: a princess, caged on the back of the larger monster. Enter Hillbilly and his talking bear companion Lucille to save the day!
The story does what it needs to in showing us who the character is and Rondel casts an intriguing figure. He has black eyes and a tear-stained face and he carries the Devil’s Cleaver, a weapon from Lucifer’s table (though his look says Hobo more than Hillbilly).
The tone of the comic is familiar to anyone who’s read Powell before – it’s his unique mixture of dark art, slapstick comedy, horror, and magical realism. The familiarity is why I wasn’t that excited with the short which reads more like a Goon side-story than its own thing.
Powell’s art though is awesome-amazing as usual. His inking is so sharp, the colours perfectly balanced, and the designs and layouts instantly grab your attention. The artwork looks so good on my HD iPad screen, I’ll definitely be reading this comic digitally.
The preview’s not a mind-blowing short story but it’s not a bad intro to the character and that's good enough. Eric Powell always puts out comics worth reading so I’m in for this title anyway and will be checking out Hillbilly when it launches in June.
Read this for free over at Comixology:
UK = https://www.comixology.co.uk/Hillbill...
US = https://www.comixology.com/Hillbilly-...
A couple of Southern-accented monsters are preparing a fire in the dark woods to cook their dinner: a princess, caged on the back of the larger monster. Enter Hillbilly and his talking bear companion Lucille to save the day!
The story does what it needs to in showing us who the character is and Rondel casts an intriguing figure. He has black eyes and a tear-stained face and he carries the Devil’s Cleaver, a weapon from Lucifer’s table (though his look says Hobo more than Hillbilly).
The tone of the comic is familiar to anyone who’s read Powell before – it’s his unique mixture of dark art, slapstick comedy, horror, and magical realism. The familiarity is why I wasn’t that excited with the short which reads more like a Goon side-story than its own thing.
Powell’s art though is awesome-amazing as usual. His inking is so sharp, the colours perfectly balanced, and the designs and layouts instantly grab your attention. The artwork looks so good on my HD iPad screen, I’ll definitely be reading this comic digitally.
The preview’s not a mind-blowing short story but it’s not a bad intro to the character and that's good enough. Eric Powell always puts out comics worth reading so I’m in for this title anyway and will be checking out Hillbilly when it launches in June.
Read this for free over at Comixology:
UK = https://www.comixology.co.uk/Hillbill...
US = https://www.comixology.com/Hillbilly-...
July 31, 2017
Okay, I need to check out this series. Wonderful use of American folklore.
March 19, 2018
More a cameo than a short story, but it does a good job of sketching out enough of the background to make me interested in reading more - reminiscent maybe of Bill Loeb's 'Journey' with a strong dose of the fantastical.
June 21, 2017
Characters and setting perfectly imagined and rendered. Story like a dream.
March 6, 2025
FULL REVIEW ON MY WEBSITE
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
This comic book is a captivating introduction to a unique and gritty fantasy world. At the same time this comic book sets the stage for an engaging series that combines folklore, dark humor, and striking visuals, drawing me personally into its enchanting yet eerie atmosphere.
Eric Powell, known for his work on “The Goon,” brings his signature style to “Hillbilly,” crafting a narrative that is both original and immersive. The story follows Rondel, a wandering hillbilly with a magical cleaver, as he traverses a world steeped in myth and danger. Powell’s storytelling is rich and atmospheric, blending elements of American folklore with a dark, fantastical twist. His writing is sharp and engaging, capturing the essence of a world where magic and menace coexist.
The character of Rondel is a standout, portrayed as a rugged yet morally complex protagonist. Powell imbues Rondel with a strong sense of justice and resilience, making him a compelling figure in this mystical landscape. The interactions between Rondel and the various creatures and characters he encounters are filled with wit and tension, adding depth to the narrative and that has kept me personally invested in his journey.
The artwork in this comic book is exceptional, bringing the world of “Hillbilly” to life with vivid detail and dynamic compositions. The illustrations are both haunting and beautiful, capturing the rugged terrain and bizarre creatures that populate Rondel’s world. The art style is distinctive, with bold lines and expressive character designs that enhance the storytelling and had drawn me personally into the narrative.
One of the strengths of this comic book is its ability to balance humor and darkness. Powell infuses the narrative with moments of levity and wit, providing a counterpoint to the darker themes and adding complexity to the story. This blend of tones ensures that the narrative remains engaging and multifaceted, appealing to a wide range of readers.
While this comic book excels in many areas, it can occasionally feel dense due to the rapid introduction of characters and concepts. The rich world-building, while impressive, may benefit from a slightly slower pace to allow us as readers to fully absorb the intricacies of the setting and its lore.
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
This comic book is a captivating introduction to a unique and gritty fantasy world. At the same time this comic book sets the stage for an engaging series that combines folklore, dark humor, and striking visuals, drawing me personally into its enchanting yet eerie atmosphere.
Eric Powell, known for his work on “The Goon,” brings his signature style to “Hillbilly,” crafting a narrative that is both original and immersive. The story follows Rondel, a wandering hillbilly with a magical cleaver, as he traverses a world steeped in myth and danger. Powell’s storytelling is rich and atmospheric, blending elements of American folklore with a dark, fantastical twist. His writing is sharp and engaging, capturing the essence of a world where magic and menace coexist.
The character of Rondel is a standout, portrayed as a rugged yet morally complex protagonist. Powell imbues Rondel with a strong sense of justice and resilience, making him a compelling figure in this mystical landscape. The interactions between Rondel and the various creatures and characters he encounters are filled with wit and tension, adding depth to the narrative and that has kept me personally invested in his journey.
The artwork in this comic book is exceptional, bringing the world of “Hillbilly” to life with vivid detail and dynamic compositions. The illustrations are both haunting and beautiful, capturing the rugged terrain and bizarre creatures that populate Rondel’s world. The art style is distinctive, with bold lines and expressive character designs that enhance the storytelling and had drawn me personally into the narrative.
One of the strengths of this comic book is its ability to balance humor and darkness. Powell infuses the narrative with moments of levity and wit, providing a counterpoint to the darker themes and adding complexity to the story. This blend of tones ensures that the narrative remains engaging and multifaceted, appealing to a wide range of readers.
While this comic book excels in many areas, it can occasionally feel dense due to the rapid introduction of characters and concepts. The rich world-building, while impressive, may benefit from a slightly slower pace to allow us as readers to fully absorb the intricacies of the setting and its lore.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews