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Southern Hospitality graphic novel review

By Leroy Douresseaux
May 12, 2014 - 15:22

Southern Hospitality cover image

Southern Hospitality is an original horror graphic novel from prolific comic book creator, writer, and publisher, Bart A. Thompson.  It is a reworking of a short story entitled, “Southern Hospitality,” that first appeared in Thompson’s horror comic book anthology, The Evil Inside (Approbation Comics).

Southern Hospitality focuses on two groups of travelers that unite after crossing paths only to cross paths with a brutal scythe-wielding killer in rural Alabama.  Southern Hospitality is one of the few original graphic novels that is based on an original slasher horror concept and is not a licensed comic book based on a property that originated in other media (film, video games, books, etc.).

Southern Hospitality opens as Pebble Collins, California lingerie supermodel, and her boyfriend, Zach, drive through Boons Creek, Alabama.  They are on their way to an industry party in Florida.  They never make it.

A week later, New York City co-workers, Todd and Nate, have stopped in Louisville, Kentucky on their way to Florida.  The two thirty-something guys meet three young women:  Rebecca, Irene, and Chrissy on a road trip to Florida.  The three friends are stranded after their car broke down.  Nate and Rebecca convince their friends that the two groups should unite as a quintet for the trip.  These five companions also travel to Boons Creek, where they find the locals strange, even unfriendly and danger.

THE LOWDOWN:  On the surface, it seems as if nothing is original in Southern Hospitality.  After all, the notion of star-crossed companions on a horror movie road trip appeared as recently as the 2013 Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot, Texas Chainsaw.  What is original is Thompson’s approach to characters and dialogue.  He mixes Quentin Tarantino-like banter with characters that would fit in a screwball comedy, which makes for a lively story.  Also, the story’s execution and resolution are the opposite of what one would expect from this familiar slasher horror scenario.

While not a draftsman and lacking in polished compositional skills, artist Kevin Richardson is a good storyteller, and his art captures both the story’s brutal and comic natures.  Richardson knows when the story means business (screaming, running, and dying) and when Thompson is being humorous.  I wish Thompson and Richardson would deliver a Southern Hospitality sequel, but I realize that (1) there would be a new cast and (2) maybe there is nothing in the story that needs a revisit.  I want one anyway.

THE LOWDOWN:  Readers looking for an original horror comic book will want to experience some Southern Hospitality.

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

 

Rating: A- /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12