Advance Review: Face To Face With A Killer In `That Texas Blood’ #19
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
The most suspenseful comic in recent times wraps up its terrific third story arc in grand fashion. The creative team is in top form – and the results are a treat for the reader. You have a pretty good idea how the story is going, but getting there is the fun part.
Overall
10/10That Texas Blood wraps up its third – and best – story arc with a bang. Literally.
The last issue ended with sheriff’s secretary Lu being stalked by the Red Queen Killer and literally run over by a car. She spends most of this issue running from RQK while her boss, Sheriff Joe Bob Coates, desperately battles a blizzard to confront the serial killer.
With different story arcs telling Coates’ story in different time periods, it’s no spoiler to reveal that RQK meets his match in this issue. And while we learned the murderer’s likely identity in the previous installment, it doesn’t really matter. What is important is the suspense and the ever-present feeling of terror that dominates this storyline.
The creative team – writer Chris Condon and artist Jacob Phillips – have done a masterful job of scaring and creeping out the reader. There are few examples of a comic that has ratcheted up the tension better than these two. That’s a remarkable achievement given that the longevity of the series. After all, how often is the threequel the best of the bunch?
Condon wisely understands what’s important here. And by the end of the book, we are reminded why Coates takes his job so seriously. (It’s also likely a nice lead in to what the team have planned for their annual Christmas special issue, which will be out in December.)
Phillips – with some strong color assistance from Pip Martin – illustrates the story so well that, if the text were removed, the action would still be clear. That is due party to his clear talent as well as the strong and compelling storytelling the team has produced to date. We actually care for these characters. We want them – actually, we NEED them – to stop the bad guy because the creators have made us fear this killer so much.
The only downside to the issue is that this exception arc now comes to an end, and the creative team will take a break after the Christmas special. Hopefully that will give them renewed energy and spark their imaginations to tell another Joe Bob Coates story that will have our hearts pounding and our palms sweaty as we turn each page.
That Texas Blood #19 will be available for purchase on Wednesday.
