Advance Review: Savage Bastards #1
Of all the genres that exists, across books, movies and comics, the western seems to be one of untold twists, turns and surprises. Whether it be Kwai Chang Cane moving west, Daniel Craig mixing Cowboys and Aliens or the world of the West providing a surreal theme park, the Wild Wild West has its fans. It is this popular trope that Mad Cave Studios are trying to mine in their new series Savage Bastards.
It’s 1873 and Sam and Elliot, two half brothers, have to fight across the region of the Sonoran Desert in order to save the mother of one of them. Of course, they are not the only ones on her trail; there is danger in the form of their sadistic, sociopath of a father, Darragh MacDougal and the rest of his crazy bastard children. Its blood, guts and siblings proving that wining the West is definitely a family affair.
The book is written by David Galiano who wears his Quentin Tarantino fandom proudly on the comic page. All the tells are there for you to see. Now, if you are a Tarantino fan, then all is good in the world. As someone who recognises the good, the bad and the ugly in the works from the oft controversial director, I would have liked to see more of Galiano’s style. From the outset, the stage is set; Galiano doesn’t let up. The dialogue, especially the monologue boxes are full of “western speak” in order to get the vibe. Unfortunately, all I saw was a wash of spelling mistakes, supplanting the idea by some margin. The characters fall into classic styles, the strong woman, the foppish barber and the tough stranger. It all a little, “done before.”
The art is supplied by Carlos Angeli who has a distinct, if nondescript style. There are too many oddities that distract the eye. Those cover, no features on the characters, placement of characters that seem to be floating over the ground and inks that should delineate the characters from the background actually impaling them. It is a shame as there are times where the art really works and pops; it is just not consistent. Angeli also provides the colors as well as the art and doing so, takes another off turn. Why do a host of characters have eyes that look like John Stewart from the Justice League cartoon? Oh I get it; it’s to show that they are related, but it is so over the top that this may be missed on the first reading. Letters are provided by Miguel Angel Zapata, who does well in keeping the font easy to read.
You have to give Mad Cave their due, they are putting out a range of books. For western fans, I am sure that there is enough in here to sate your thirst as this book is a mix of things; like re-fried beans you will either like it or hate it.
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 2.5 Stars
Colors – 2.5 Stars
Overall – 2.5 Stars
Written by; David Galiano
Art by; Carlos Angeli
Letters by; Miguel Angel Zapata
Published by Mad Cave Studios
Savage Bastards #1 is riding into town on February 19th
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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