Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips’ new Image book arrives with a bang. Literally. It’s Sheriff Joe Bob Coates’ 70th Birthday, and his wife needs her casserole dish back. Before the end of the day there’ll be a death. On the surface it’s a slow burner, but there’s a lot going on here – the horrific dream, what went on behind closed doors, and in Joe Bob we have a cinematic leading man defying all conventions. He looks happy but there’s a dark past and a mystery.

The push/pull of contemplation and understated horror is masterfully put together, and Jacob Phillips continues his artistic rise, showing that in addition to being the industry’s best colourist, he’s got at least as much to offer artistically as his Dad, and maybe more. Despite the brightness of much of his book, Condon gives us a sense of dread too, and the blend reminds me more than a little of Hell or High Water, another neo-western where the location feels as much of a character as it leads. Its initial hook could possibly have been more urgent, but with such certainty resonating from writer and artist, it feels like this book can only get better.

writing	★★★★½
art	★★★★½
colouring	★★★★★
overall	★★★★½