Hellbillies Review

What do you call a bunch of monster-hunting hillbillies in a mythical 1980s South?  Why, Hellbillies, of course!

Now available in a complete collection, the 390-page comic book is even better than it sounds.  Although the story by Jon Westhoff (writer and letterer), Bryan Boles (line artist), Timothy O’Briant (colorist), and Sean Fagan (colorist) is long, it flies by as you’re reading it.  The cartoony art style belies a layered narrative, developed characters, and a satisfying conclusion.  Although there are comedic moments, the story is serious, and the characters seem real.  As tragedy and triumph befalls them, you can’t wait to see what secrets about them will be revealed next.

Mary, Eustace, Ann, and Pops go through many changes, and the story is a well-written, coherent narrative that hangs together well, ends definitively, and aligns perfectly with the development of the characters.

I’m really trying to keep this review spoiler-free so I’ll just say if you like a cast of colorful characters, an expressive art style, and protecting the world from eldritch horrors, this book is for you.  Even if you ain’t from the South (what’s wrong with you?).  You can pick it up here at the King Bone Press website either in individual issues or as a collection (although I recommend the latter; you won’t want to wait for the next one).