Hillbilly Volume 3

Hillbilly #3

by Eric Powell

The third volume in Eisner Award winner Eric Powell’s Appalachian fantasy epic. Rondel wields the Devil’s Cleaver against the united evil of the hills.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Horror, Fantasy, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Sequential Art

112 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 2018

About the author

Eric Powell has contributed work on such comics titles as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Hellboy: Weird Tales, Star Wars Tales, The Incredible Hulk, Black Panther, The Avengers, The Hood, MAD Magazine, Devil Dinosaur, Swamp Thing, the Avengers, She-Hulk, the Simpsons, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell and Action Comics.

Although eking out a meager living in the comics field since 1995, Eric didn't find true success until he launched his critically acclaimed dark comedy series The Goon. The Goon was subsequently picked up by Dark Horse Comics and boasts a diehard cult following.

Reviews

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s no doubt Eric Powell can draw – the pencils, inks, colours in this book are top tier, beautiful, so skilful. The myriad character designs in this book are brilliant too from the Tailypo to the witches to the many monsters: the cyclops, the rock monsters, the dragons – so imaginative and detailed.

But, goddammit, Hillbilly is such a boring series to read! Rondel and his pals fight some witches… and that’s it. Guess who wins? Amidst the predictable, dull fighting (basically a fantasy version of the standard guff you find in most Marvel/DC books), there’s one tedious, nothing story about down-home whatever after another. Some kid whines at his mom to tell him a dreary story and she obliges, etc. – why, Eric Powell, WHY???

Besides the amazing art, I kinda liked Powell’s warped take on Hansel and Gretel – it’s like something you’d see in a Mike Mignola comic. Otherwise I found absolutely nothing interesting about Powell’s writing and totally unengaging tales of Rondel, the monotonous Hillbilly. I’m definitely done with this title now - if you want to see Eric Powell at his best, check out his Goon books instead.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visually this book is stunning. Powell's creatures are fantastical and original. The character designs are stylized, yet perfect. I love the washed out, almost sepia tone coloring. There's a larger story at this point with both the Hillbilly and the witches building armies to throw at one another. I do wish this was left to breathe a little longer.

Received a review copy from Albatross Funnybooks and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have seen the Hillbilly series of graphic novels by Eric Powell described as "Appalachian folk fantasy", "Conan the Barbarian meets Grimm's Fairy Tales" and "Apocalyptic American Gothic" ... as well as in a bunch of other intriguing and interesting ways.

Having finally sampled the series with Volume 3 I can't say that I disagree with any of those descriptions to any great extent. The artwork has a very vivid yet primitive style that compliments the story quite nicely. There is almost no color and when there is it is very muted, almost unnoticeable.

The weak point in this particular case, at least for me, is that the story and the plot are not particularly original. It's the basic good vs evil in a battle of the ages type of thing. We've seen it in one form or another hundreds of times and this version doesn't really do all that much that other variations on the theme haven't done before.

I thought it was okay but nothing spectacular. Granted, it is part of an ongoing series so it could well be that there are nuances and "Easter eggs" that I missed out on from not being familiar with previous entries in the series. I would definitely take another look at the series: Either with previous volumes or future offerings.

All in all Hillbilly Volume 3 was something of a pleasant time waster... I would stop short of giving it a high recommendation but I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it either.

***Special thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a complimentary digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5/5. I had the chance to put my hand on this one for free (thanks Netgalley) but I never read the first and second volume. I still was easily able to get into it (I would have probably understand some stuff deeper, or with a different perspective having read the previous one, but it still readable even if you have not). I love the artworks in this book, also the colors game is great, not black and white, but always a mix of grey and greenish brown that gave it a dusty old illustrations style that I particularly enjoy! The story is also very good with strong characters and a solid imaginary world. Fantasy fan should like this series. Worth looking at!

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many tales of Rondel, and this is but one. Which is a relief, as I really didn't expect something as good as this, having got used to four bitty, monster-of-the-week styled stories in each volume prior to this. The longer form here still has variety, but much stronger narrative force, even if it ends rather bluntly. Visually the books are still wonderful, but the sense here is of the author more firmly finding his feet with this material and the options for telling tales about it. The other books before this were good enough, this is bordering on the really great. A strong four stars.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is volume 3 of the Hillbilly stories. Rondel, a man with magic and a quest manages to unite the villages of humankind to fight against the witches, goblins and monsters who are seeking to destroy.

The story tells short stories within the main story and the drawings are excellent. I wish this had been a bit more colourful but it is still a good story. I haven't read the previous volumes, but the storytelling is so good I was able to understand and I enjoyed it.

I really like the feeling of adventure and dangerous quest and how the story holds the different aspects together.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Copy

[Peter Derk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm trying to think of something hilarious to do for my new driver's license photo. Most people try and look their best, and it never works, so I figure I might as well get a novelty picture on purpose.

The only thing I've gotten my girlfriend (Poonmaster Flexxx) to agree with is the idea of getting a bowl cut, getting my license, and immediately getting the bowl cut fixed into a regular, adult male cut. Which I guess would work, but I feel weird asking my haircut guy if he'll do that. I'm willing to pay in full for both haircuts, but as a haircut guy, is it professionally insulting to do a bad haircut on purpose?

[Yoshiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

POPKULTUROWY KOCIOŁEK: Trzeci tom Hillbilly, to kolejna odsłona epickiej przygody Rondella, samotnego wojownika włóczącego się po zboczach Appalachów ze swoim „Diabelskim Tasakiem”. Nowy rozdział jego historii rozwija mitologię jego podróży, tym razem stawiając go przeciwko zjednoczonemu złu w postaci armii wiedźm. Opowieść kieruje naszego bohatera w stronę finałowego starcia dobra ze złem.

Pod względem fabularnym trzeci tom stawia na klasyczny motyw walki dobra ze złem. Na kolejnych stronach Hillbilly zmierzamy do wielkiej i epickiej konfrontacji. Choć sama struktura komiksu może wydać się przewidywalna, to klimat, wizja i mitologiczne tło sprawiają, że opowieść broni się na każdym etapie historii. Ponownie nie brak tu momentów surrealistycznych i odwołań do lokalnych baśni Appalachów, co stanowi mocny punkt komiksu.

Eric Powell, który odpowiada zarówno za scenariusz jak i rysunki, prezentuje mocną kreskę, stylizowaną i pełną charakteru. Postacie – od fantastycznych potworów, przez wiedźmy i cyklopy – są oryginalne, a wręcz hipnotyzujące. Stonowana kolorystyka nadaje historii baśniowego, sennego klimatu, wciągając czytelnika w kolejne rozdziały historii. Idealnie wpisuje się to w atmosferę mrocznego folkloru, charakterystyczną dla serii...

https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/hillb...

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Hillbilly Volume 3' with story and art by Eric Powell is a graphic novel about a group of supernatural heroes based out of the Appalachians.

Rondel and his big devil killing cleaver knows that an army of witches is coming. He's recruited some unusual help, but he knows he needs more people to just stand up if they are going to win this fight.

The reason to read anything by Eric Powell is his spot on art. He's got a unique and professional style. The story here isn't the strongest, but it's worth it just for the art.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Albatross Funnybooks, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Mutated Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re like me and constantly thinking about these books, then you’ll be happy to know that there’s a volume three! This one, following Rondel, James, Lucille and Alma, takes you on an intense adventure across the hills to fight, you guessed it, more demons and another witch. Only this time, there’s a fairy tale twist. He meets Hansel and Gretel, and of course, has to fight them.

Check out my full review here!

https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpr...

[Massimo Penazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Formidabile terzo volume, dove viene presentata una vera e propria epopea con toni leggendari e fiabeschi insieme. Le tavole di Powell sono splendide e ricordano, molto da vicino, i lavori di un Arthur Rackham o di un Brian Froud. Il racconto, anzi, sembra proprio un vecchio libro di fiabe illustrato. Bellissimo.

[Mee Too · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most visually beautiful and excellently written series i have ever read. Simple fairy tales packed with a lot of wisdom. Very inclusive without making a show of it, which i can extremely appreciate in all fictional stories.

Easy 4.4 ✨

[Rabbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+ Story⭐️⭐️

[G-E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une grosse guerre contre les sorcières. J’aurais pris plus de pages de cet affrontement crucial.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing is great, but somehow the plot was... Boring? It was just ok.

[Sean Goh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has some funny moments, though the good versus evil battle doesn't spring many surprises.

[MNZRKK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just brilliant in every aspect.

[Daniel Kovacs Rezsuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two volumes were absolutely perfect, the best comics I've read from Eric Powell. This last one ending the ongoing series felt less polished, uneven, and rushed. Still, it was a great example of folk noir / horror.

[Mozart Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Appalachian fantasy tale.
The Lore to a Prophecy which became the story.

There are many tales of Rondel the Wandering Hillbilly. This is but One.

[David Wagner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nah. Just nah. The Appalachian folklore is gone, what remains is a weak mix of Conan and LOTR with no real added value. Two stars for the art alone, but easily the worst thing from the author for me.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review is for four volumes read consecutively.

Appalachian Hellboy.

Yep, if you understand that, you'll love it.

[Dawid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Po prostu ŚWIETNE! A wiedźmy rysowane z artyzmem!

[Szymon Dudziński · Rating 4 out of 5]

finally the series has taken off

[Luke Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think HILLBILLY might be even better than THE GOON. It has this grand, mythological feeling while mostly being composed of things that feel like genuine folk tales. And Powell is in my favorite illustration mode, here: limited palette, lusciously sculptural shading with stark ink accents. Absolutely jaw dropping art.

Fancasting for the imaginary animated version of this that will never get made:

Rondel: Ralph Inneson with a lot of accent coaching
Lucille: Anne Dowd, hands down
Esther: Joan Cusack
James: Lakeith Stanfield