Bass Reeves #1 exclusive review – another retelling of the Bass Reeves story

By Louie Fecou
Published: June 10, 2020 (Last updated: December 31, 2023)
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Bass Reeves #1 exclusive review - another retelling of the Bass Reeves story
3.5

Summary

Bass Reeves #1 feels a little different from most comics out there, with a real-life protagonist and no fantasy elements whatsoever.

This review of Bass Reeves #1 contains some minor spoilers.


This is the first issue of a new series from Allegiance Arts and Entertainment, a new indie comic company that is selling its four titles through Walmart in the US. (We already reviewed Red Rooster and Norah’s Saga). Bass Reeves is a bit of an oddity. The title is actually based on the real-life stories of Bass Reeves who spent nearly 20 years in his role as the first black U.S. Marshal to serve west of the Mississippi, which was also dramatized in the low-budget Western Hell on the Border.

By the time he retired in 1909, after some 32 years in law enforcement, he laid claim to apprehending more than 3000 fugitives. He was an exemplary lawman, hailed for his marksmanship, his detective skills, and an unwavering moral code.

The comic is written by Kevin Grevioux, with art by David Williams, and introduces us to Bass in 1875.

Of course, the West is wild, and in the lawless and lethal battle against injustice, law men are on the frontline, and often don’t last too long.

After the demise of the latest marshal, the judge and reverend in Louisiana realize that they need a new kind of figurehead to try and bring the lawbreakers in for justice.

Bass Reeves is a bounty hunter and has already amassed a reputation for being ruthless and feared in the criminal community. They tell of legends of the man: “They say when you hear the whistling, that’s “old Bass” coming for you,” and is described as being, “Nine feet tall, coal-black, and rides a horse that’s ghost white. And he carries these guns — black guns that look more like cannons with triggers.”

He sounds formidable, but when we do get a glimpse of the real man, he has a wife and son, and is God-fearing, saying grace before dinner and encouraging his son to learn as much as he can at school, and explaining that “glorifying a man’s death is never a good thing.”

Of course, by the end of Bass Reeves #1 Bass has an encounter with the Judge, and is made a US Marshal, setting up the rest of the run.

With nice clean art and a well-paced issue, Bass Reeves is a great addition to the line of comics from Allegiance Arts.

This feels a little different from most comics out there, with a real-life protagonist and no fantasy elements whatsoever.

Well written and produced, this would be a recommendation and once again leads me to wish that these books will somehow make their way over to the UK,

Can you imagine going to ASDA and being able to pick these titles up?

Perhaps one day.

Comics