By Dubois & Armand
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 9781800440531
Cinebook has put out a lot of great books, but it’s their Expresso line that’s really shown off some excellent stories from Europe. Texas Jack – a western, as it title might suggest – follows that trend by giving us another palpable hit.
Greed and power have led a group of wealthy men, safe in their finery and comfortable lives, to invest heavily in the morally dubious Passendale. He’s willing to go a step further to ensure his future prosperity by hiring ruthless killers to clear out the settlers on the land he wishes to control. These killers, led by a man known as Ironsmoke, are fearsome and dangerous, leaving Passendale regretting the hell he’s unleashed.
The Government needs to be seen to act, so recruits a circus performer, Texas Jack, whose exploits have been immortalised in stories. If only they were true. With three other members of his troupe, Jack is to meet up with the army and be the figurehead while the army takes on the killers. Naturally, it was never going to go well.
Armand’s pages are throbbing with gritty characters, dramatic landscapes, and dreadful deeds. Texas Jack may be something of a dandy and Ironsmoke a vicious killer but neither comes across as two-dimensional ciphers. Jack in particular is vulnerable and frustrated with the position he finds himself in.
But the biggest credit must go to Dubois for a first-class script and to Jerome Saincantin for keeping the translation crisp and engaging. The story rattles along and, despite the fact that most of the characters are bearded and wearing hats, there’s enough development of personalities to allow you to identify who is who as you get to know them.
A fantastic opening act.
And if you liked that: Book two is available now.
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