By Hunter T. Patrick

New Start. Redneck seems to take drastic turns in between each arc, or so it has between the first and second, and now the second and the third. The very appropriate title, Redneck, about, well, redneck vampires continues with some dramatic turns. Perry is in trouble after the events of the last issue, so we see some vampire reunions after being separated, from the original family to a brand-new introduction of another family being introduced. The issue serves as set up, beginning with a flashback between a past love of Bartlett’s to a cliffhanger no one saw coming, well sarcastically. This issue does not serve as being strong for twists, but for being strong for set up to start Redneck's third arc.

The pacing flows really well. Transitions between the flashback, then to a focus on the new characters are down with ease. Donny Cates is becoming more and more well-known and this issue helps serve as a reminder of why that is. The new characters, sadly, have the opposite effect. Maybe as this is because we have yet to meet them, but no new character really intrigues yet, except for one character from the flashback, and even her is minimal for this moment. The writing elements when using the original cast stay strong and on top, and it is with the hope that with further issues all characters will have a strong voice, and not just a voice. For the time being, this is a good set up, but it is not a great one.

The art has always been strong in previous issues, but this makes a big change. Instead of being strong, the art is much stronger than a simple strong as before. Landscapes and emotions now are breathtaking to look at. Landscapes are gorgeous to gaze upon. The characters still look stylized instead of aiming for a more mundane approach, and it helps give the book more style and a look of its own. The book does well having both its own voice and its own look and helps the book become a must have for the stands. This issue may be average without the strength of the art, but now it is much better than average. The colorist is phenomenal for this issue. 

It seems as if this story arc seems as if a new reader can come in without any trouble. Feel free to start here or get the first two trades to read before continuing. You are in for a treat with this arc, just going off of the strengths of the others. Having a new start is great for later issues to have these characters (if they grow stronger). The last 12 issues are not ignored, and the flow is strong and makes sure this does not stop the progress this series makes. Be sure to follow this series if not picked up before. It may not be one of Image’s all-time classics, but the series has always been promising more.

Score: 4/5

Redneck #13
Image Comics