After so long and going through loads of foreshadowing as we got to know the people of Craw County: Roberta Tubb has arrived.
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Jason LatourThe big game is over. But the troubles have only just begun. The return of Roberta Tubb.
I’ve always had this odd relationship with “Southern Bastards”. While I acknowledge wholeheartedly that it is one of the greatest books on the market right now, that the hiatus has been a bit tortuous, and that you do yourself a massive disservice not reading the book, I have always felt like an outsider when I read it. To put it simply: I’m a New Yorker through and through: the furthest south I’ve been was Washington D.C. (apart from Orlando for DisneyWorld). Even if there are some things that occur in this book that aren’t unfamiliar here in the North, there was always that sheet of glass between me and this book. That may sound like some kind of cheap cop-out, but it does speak well to how authentic and from the heart both Jsaon Aaron and Jason Latour bring to this series that it has such an effect on me.
I suppose it’s good for me that this issue focuses on the heavily alluded to Roberta Tubb, daughter of the dearly departed Earl Tubb, coming home after learning of her father’s death. This character exploration shows a person that has a similar disconnect and trying to remedy it, all the while becoming more and more suspicious that there was more to her father’s death than let on while also being exposed to some of the harsher realities in this place. I have to commend both creators in some of the more subtle differences in Roberta with the rest of the people in this book. Just slight differences in speech or in posture make a huge difference in the character work.
It is notable that Roberta is never blindsided by what she sees. As a Marine recently returned from operating in the poorer rural areas of Afghanistan (of which she notes the similarities of that place to the one she is arriving in) she displays an excellent amount of competence and intelligence, both as investigator and as a combatant. And despite the moderate estrangement she had with her father, it is clear the amount of love and respect she had for him, especially in one very poignant flashback scene.
“Southern Bastards” has always delved into some heavy topics of racism, gender, violence of multiple types, corruption, and heritage (in how we examine our own heritage and recognizing the toxic aspects of it). Some of those explorations have been very forward, some subtle, and then you’ve got some that hit you like a truck. There is one incredibly draining twist in this issue dealing with a topic that is so incredibly real and heartbreaking. I’m not going to spoil it, but when it hits it really hits hard for anyone. It really shows how the problems of society really get ingrained.
Jason Latour is just so good. Like so so good. “Oh, how critical of an eye you got there,” you probably said sardonically to me, but it’s true! I talked about the attention to subtleties in posture, but it’s more than that. His linework and colors really bring out a — as best as I can describe it — “lived in” and “heated” feeling to this place as Roberta tries to liven up her father’s worn down home. There is always an underlying feeling of anger in the deft pencil work, anger that comes full out during fight scenes and Latour lets the red flow, showing Roberta’s soldier efficiency. That being said, Latour can easily switch to a more tragic scene, such as Roberta’s response to the aforementioned “twist” in regards to social exploration. It is the first time in present day we see her be vulnerable, but it is in no way something that takes away from her character.
Something else of great note is letterer Jared K. Fletcher’s sound effects. They are such a stylized treat in a way that works so well into the book. One such example is a dog’s growl that shrinks as it goes alongside Roberta who is walking past and away from the animal. And like the angry red coloring mentioned above, the sound effects for the fights are a sharp and jagged and precise as Roberta’s punches.
Continued belowOne last thing to note: In the letters column for “Southern Bastards” fans will contribute their own recipes. Some of them look really good too. Then there was the one in this issue: “Coach Big’s Big Stick of Butter” and I’m convinced it’s for the mad people! Listen, like I said above, cultural dissonance but . . . that can’t be a real thing, right?! Butter’s an ingredient or a condiment! Tell me I’m not being crazy and overthinking this!
Listen, “Southern Bastards” is one of the best books on the shelf. You are doing yourself such a massive disservice not reading it. This issue was the conclusion to the third arc (with the third trade-paperback coming out in early July), so you have time. Go out. Buy the first trade and catch up. The Jasons are creating so much more than just a crime drama. They’re creating a much needed examination of people.
Final Verdict: 8.9- Aaron and Latour introduce Roberta Tubb magnificently.
