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Scalped #7
Scalped: Rez Blues
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Graphic Novels & Comics (2011)Organized crime and current Native American culture hit head-on in this brutal series as the lead characters inch closer and closer to the vices that could do them in for good. Fifteen years ago, Dashiell 'Dash' Bad Horse ran away from a life of poverty and hopelessness on the Prairie Rose Indian Reservation in search of something better. Now he's come back home armed with nothing but a set of nunchucks, a hell-bent-for-leather attitude and one dark secret. He finds nothing much has changed on 'The Rez' – short of a glimmering new casino run by a corrupt leader named Red Crow, and a once-proud people overcome by drugs and organized crime.
Collects: Scalped #35-42.
Collects: Scalped #35-42.
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
7 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
About the author
Jason Aaron
2,411 books1,657 followersJason Aaron grew up in a small town in Alabama. His cousin, Gustav Hasford, who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Short-Timers, on which the feature film Full Metal Jacket was based, was a large influence on Aaron. Aaron decided he wanted to write comics as a child, and though his father was skeptical when Aaron informed him of this aspiration, his mother took Aaron to drug stores, where he would purchase books from spinner racks, some of which he still owns today.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
July 8, 2025
(A-) 83% | Very Good
Notes: On grave returns, with-child concerns, AWOL moms and dads, frosty walks, unpleasant talks, all awful raw and sad.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #35-37 ◦ Issues #38-39 ◦ Issues #40-42
Notes: On grave returns, with-child concerns, AWOL moms and dads, frosty walks, unpleasant talks, all awful raw and sad.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #35-37 ◦ Issues #38-39 ◦ Issues #40-42
June 26, 2023
A superbly crafted and very much a human interest tale with its no holds barred look at the dark side of the modern Native American communities that have been set-aside by the 'Americans'. The intense drama continues but at a slightly slower pace than the carnage in the previous volume. Dash gets to see his long gone dad, and they work a 'case' together. As for Carol and Dash, what's next for them, with Carol's news? We also get to see a lot more of Shunka than we thought! 8 out of 12, Four Star read.
2017 and 2013 read
2017 and 2013 read
September 14, 2018
Scalped, Volume 7 (of 10); Rez Blues, is full of blues, for sure. After the last highly orchestrated, action-packed and violent volume 6, we slow way down and breathe a bit, stretch out and deepen the contexts for the broader stories and arcs. We begin by meeting an older married couple who live far away from everyone else, who are having to accept “government” food for the first time. We are never far from the terrible poverty of the Prairie Rose Rez—meth labs, gangs, prostitution, are ever-present—but it is affecting to see this simple, sweet and loving couple suffering.
The emotional center of this volume is, I think, fatherhood (or maybe more broadly, parenthood), as we get to meet Wade, Dash Bad Horse’s long-absent Dad who wants to work with Dash to find out who murdered his ex-wife Gina. (We do find this information out, and a. . . confrontation happens). We also learn of Red Crow’s father, and we know Red Crow’s not been a good father to Carol and he wasn’t a good partner to Gina.
Can Dash be a good partner to Carol? Could he be a good father? In Killing Diesel he avenged the death of a 13 year old kid he had taken under his wing. But when Carol gets pregnant, can she be a good parent? They are both addicted to smack?! Can they get it together enough to kick the habit and be role models for a child?
Part of the blues in this volume reflects on the wide gulf between what could have been in parenting and the crushing reality. But are there ways to be “parents” outside of blood relations? Can Granny Poor Bear, who never had kids but traises so many, “parent” Carol to health? Can Red Crow’s murdering, meth-labbing, mobsterism also involve “parenting” Dash to health?
We see Carol and Wade early on when they are happy with Dash, before things fell apart, and it is sweet, but didn’t last. We see Red Crow and Gina happy early on, before it falls apart.
There’s a gay-themed arc in this volume as we see the super-violent Shunka is actually closeted, which gives us the opportunity to see the more open perspective on gender diversity in most Native American cultures, though there is still a lot of homophobic behavior present.
Just an awesome volume in an awesome series.
The emotional center of this volume is, I think, fatherhood (or maybe more broadly, parenthood), as we get to meet Wade, Dash Bad Horse’s long-absent Dad who wants to work with Dash to find out who murdered his ex-wife Gina. (We do find this information out, and a. . . confrontation happens). We also learn of Red Crow’s father, and we know Red Crow’s not been a good father to Carol and he wasn’t a good partner to Gina.
Can Dash be a good partner to Carol? Could he be a good father? In Killing Diesel he avenged the death of a 13 year old kid he had taken under his wing. But when Carol gets pregnant, can she be a good parent? They are both addicted to smack?! Can they get it together enough to kick the habit and be role models for a child?
Part of the blues in this volume reflects on the wide gulf between what could have been in parenting and the crushing reality. But are there ways to be “parents” outside of blood relations? Can Granny Poor Bear, who never had kids but traises so many, “parent” Carol to health? Can Red Crow’s murdering, meth-labbing, mobsterism also involve “parenting” Dash to health?
We see Carol and Wade early on when they are happy with Dash, before things fell apart, and it is sweet, but didn’t last. We see Red Crow and Gina happy early on, before it falls apart.
There’s a gay-themed arc in this volume as we see the super-violent Shunka is actually closeted, which gives us the opportunity to see the more open perspective on gender diversity in most Native American cultures, though there is still a lot of homophobic behavior present.
Just an awesome volume in an awesome series.
March 15, 2025
Heartbreaking
March 29, 2018
It's always interesting to go through all the reviews for a series here on Goodreads. Certain patterns emerge with few exceptions. Unless its fucking Harry Potter, the number of ratings and reviews steadily decline from the debut onwards. Scalped is no exception with a steep decline onwards from #1. Thankfully, the series has still not lost its energy, ferocity, nor it's surprisingly warm human heart behind it all.
One of the things that makes Scalped great is the depth of backstories and their continual development. From ancillaries to collaterals, everyone contributes to this complex tapestry of love, hate, and good ol' fashiioned murder. And Vol. 7: Rez Blues is no exception.
From the very beginning of this collection, the camera veers from the main road, favoring a surprisingly subaltern story of two country bumpkins just living day to day on the outskirts of the "rez." Although on the periphery of the story literally and figuratively, this micro-story adds a strong emotional and historical resonance to the over-arc. While Red Crow is blowing people away, prostitutes are prostituting away, and tens of thousands of dollars of narcotics slosh through the community, it's a real treat too see just what's going on with the average Joe at the time. Even though the impoverished duo's connection to the "rez" is tangential, lest we forget it's their otherwise unseen stories that are building this environment as well. Danijel Zezelj of Loveless fame (w/Azzarello) makes a surprise appearance as illustrator of this tale.
As surprised as I was with the subaltern take of the first issue, nothing could have prepared me for the ensuring two issues which enflesh the backstory of Red Crow's enigmatic right hand man, Chunka. Although a progressive theme could be retroactively applied here, a far more complex (and highly relevant to modern day readers) tales emerges. While it strongly reaches back to the traditions of the Native American past, it remains firmly rooted in the present with all the deception, blood, and guts that would entail. Just as Chunka curb-stomps an opponent in this section, so too did I feel curb stomped by the emotional and brutal intensity of this two issue insert.
With not a moment to spare, R.M. Guerra shows back up to complete the last 3 issues of this already phenomenal edition. Alongside the introduction of Dashielle's father and his ensuing backstory, a million controversial themes ranging from abortion to drug addiction saturate each and every panel with crushing claustrophobia. Bad Horse, reaching rock bottom with his addiction now resembles Dhalism from Street Fighter. Carol finds herself facing an equally dismal decision regarding her unwanted pregnancy. In a similar vein to Tarantino's canon, sans the amorality, Aaron and his team aim to the us the story the way it is and allow us to arrive at our own conclusions.
I'm trying to remain as vague as possible but, this entire collection is an incredible emotional roller coaster that swerves up and down all throughout the Human Condition.
One of the things that makes Scalped great is the depth of backstories and their continual development. From ancillaries to collaterals, everyone contributes to this complex tapestry of love, hate, and good ol' fashiioned murder. And Vol. 7: Rez Blues is no exception.
From the very beginning of this collection, the camera veers from the main road, favoring a surprisingly subaltern story of two country bumpkins just living day to day on the outskirts of the "rez." Although on the periphery of the story literally and figuratively, this micro-story adds a strong emotional and historical resonance to the over-arc. While Red Crow is blowing people away, prostitutes are prostituting away, and tens of thousands of dollars of narcotics slosh through the community, it's a real treat too see just what's going on with the average Joe at the time. Even though the impoverished duo's connection to the "rez" is tangential, lest we forget it's their otherwise unseen stories that are building this environment as well. Danijel Zezelj of Loveless fame (w/Azzarello) makes a surprise appearance as illustrator of this tale.
As surprised as I was with the subaltern take of the first issue, nothing could have prepared me for the ensuring two issues which enflesh the backstory of Red Crow's enigmatic right hand man, Chunka. Although a progressive theme could be retroactively applied here, a far more complex (and highly relevant to modern day readers) tales emerges. While it strongly reaches back to the traditions of the Native American past, it remains firmly rooted in the present with all the deception, blood, and guts that would entail. Just as Chunka curb-stomps an opponent in this section, so too did I feel curb stomped by the emotional and brutal intensity of this two issue insert.
With not a moment to spare, R.M. Guerra shows back up to complete the last 3 issues of this already phenomenal edition. Alongside the introduction of Dashielle's father and his ensuing backstory, a million controversial themes ranging from abortion to drug addiction saturate each and every panel with crushing claustrophobia. Bad Horse, reaching rock bottom with his addiction now resembles Dhalism from Street Fighter. Carol finds herself facing an equally dismal decision regarding her unwanted pregnancy. In a similar vein to Tarantino's canon, sans the amorality, Aaron and his team aim to the us the story the way it is and allow us to arrive at our own conclusions.
I'm trying to remain as vague as possible but, this entire collection is an incredible emotional roller coaster that swerves up and down all throughout the Human Condition.
November 6, 2011
The society of the Prairie Rose Indian Reservation is explored further in this book with the short story of an old Indian couple living far from town in a house they built themselves in the middle of nowhere. It's very touching and sweet to see these two people as they talk to each other without talking but the reader can see their thoughts through word panels. Their story is a light in the midst of so much darkness.
Then we get back into the dark and violent world of these characters. One of the more engimatic characters, Shunka, Red Crow's right hand man, is given a two part story where we get to know more about who he is as a person rather than a mindless goon. Expect some revelations and a lotta violence.
The main story picks up after this where we get to know about Dash Bad Horse's parentage, his father Wade and how he came to get involved with Gina Bad Horse when he returned from a tour of duty in Vietnam. Aaron depicts the fall of Saigon as engagingly as he does every other episode in this series and it's great to see that even previously minor characters are given a backstory and a chance to become more real. It adds to the overall richness of this story and makes the main characters even more complex and interesting.
Dash and Carol wind up cleaning themselves up drugs-wise and Carol finds a new path to follow after some dark moments in this book. Dash meanwhile has a hard time cleaning up and dealing with the re-emergence of his father in light of his mother's murder.
"Rez Blues" is a fantastic continuation of this startlingly original series and is an impressive book on its own. Jason Aaron and RM Guera are creating something incredible here and anyone not on the "Scalped" bandwagon yet, and is a fan of comics, I urge you to give this series a chance - you won't regret it.
Then we get back into the dark and violent world of these characters. One of the more engimatic characters, Shunka, Red Crow's right hand man, is given a two part story where we get to know more about who he is as a person rather than a mindless goon. Expect some revelations and a lotta violence.
The main story picks up after this where we get to know about Dash Bad Horse's parentage, his father Wade and how he came to get involved with Gina Bad Horse when he returned from a tour of duty in Vietnam. Aaron depicts the fall of Saigon as engagingly as he does every other episode in this series and it's great to see that even previously minor characters are given a backstory and a chance to become more real. It adds to the overall richness of this story and makes the main characters even more complex and interesting.
Dash and Carol wind up cleaning themselves up drugs-wise and Carol finds a new path to follow after some dark moments in this book. Dash meanwhile has a hard time cleaning up and dealing with the re-emergence of his father in light of his mother's murder.
"Rez Blues" is a fantastic continuation of this startlingly original series and is an impressive book on its own. Jason Aaron and RM Guera are creating something incredible here and anyone not on the "Scalped" bandwagon yet, and is a fan of comics, I urge you to give this series a chance - you won't regret it.
March 4, 2015
Red for all the blood, the colour of the Dakota dirt, and of course, the racist white man name for Aboriginal peoples of North America...(Dan Synder still sees no issue...)
This is a collection of a few different stories all wound up under the banner of Scalped as a whole. That being said, they're not really disjointed that much, as they're all related in a way.
The first story is probably the best in my opinion; 2 old folks living on the land way outside of the Rez, stubborn, proud, strong, the kind of people I strive to emulate. Their love was a beautiful and simple thing, and I love how the story ends on a positive note (something Aaron rarely does in Scalped, so it's a great change).
Then there's a 2-parter about Shunka, Red Crow's Muscle. It's an illuminating story, and it's great, because there's no reason for it, and yet, every reason for it to be important to understanding the man beneath the beast. The second half I was torn on, because I see how it's important to see that everyone can be self-serving, but I also thought, that's just going to push Shunka even deeper back into his hole than anything at all, which is the beauty and crushing sadness of Noir work.
We get a new story where we meet Dash's father, Wade, and we see there's a lot of similarities between father and son...good and bad.
We also move forward on the Dash/Carol love story, and it is achingly gut-wrenching to watch these 2, as we see the internal monologue telling each other what they want to say, and the speech bubbles saying what they actually say to each other. You just want to reach out and help them open up, but you know it's not going to happen...luckily, we see them both bottom out here and start a slow climb back from hell, but, knowing Aaron and this series, there's more hell waiting for them both.
I particularly enjoyed the Granny Pooh Bear stuff, and Carol with her especially, might be life-saving. The parallels Aaron draws between Carol and her mother and Dash and his father are striking, and say just as much about Nature as they do Nurture. When Nitz crosses paths with Wade (Dash Senior) you really feel like Oh shit...things have come full circle.
I did like it all, and it was all strong stuff, but I felt like it was a little short on Red Crow, and he's integral to the story. Individual stories are 5 star work for sure, but I'm thinking this isn't quite 5-star like the last few volumes were...
(Jason Aaron 4+ star work is better than most others' 5+ star any day though!)
September 28, 2012
Shunka story? About as awesome as Aaron gets. I did *not* see that coming, and I'm about used to seeing how that boy turns my expectations inside out.
Dash & Carol? Great storytelling here - these are people I totally understand, and even though I'd like to feel like I'm better than them, I'm pretty damned sure if I was in their shoes I'd be doing the same damned things, making the same damned mistakes and compromised choices as they keep making.
It's not easy, looking straight in the eyes of human weakness and trying to retain your own fantasy of just how cool or right you are. Aaron & Guera make it so easy to slip into this world and feel like you're watching long friends, and as hard as it is to see no happy end in sight, I'm thrilled to keep feeling like they created this to make my life a little more real.
Waiting for the next book, and trying to retain that dirty, gritty, metallic taste in my mouth until then, is going to be very hard (but worth it).
Key plot points:
Dash & Carol? Great storytelling here - these are people I totally understand, and even though I'd like to feel like I'm better than them, I'm pretty damned sure if I was in their shoes I'd be doing the same damned things, making the same damned mistakes and compromised choices as they keep making.
It's not easy, looking straight in the eyes of human weakness and trying to retain your own fantasy of just how cool or right you are. Aaron & Guera make it so easy to slip into this world and feel like you're watching long friends, and as hard as it is to see no happy end in sight, I'm thrilled to keep feeling like they created this to make my life a little more real.
Waiting for the next book, and trying to retain that dirty, gritty, metallic taste in my mouth until then, is going to be very hard (but worth it).
Key plot points:
October 6, 2015
A relatively more peaceful volume than the previous one, Rez Blues delves deeper into the lives of Scalped's main characters - Dash, Red Crow, Gina, Carol and even Nitz. the story not only reveals more of their past but also defines what they would be, or rooting for in the next volumes to come.
Whereas volume 6 is full of unexpected violence, Rez Blues is a triumph on narrative. Though not giving huge plot progress, the seventh volume is way more than just a filler arc, it is a preparation of a rather bigger storm that will hit Prairie Rose Reservation for the second half of the story. So keep them coming, because we are all ready.
Oh wait, there's Shunka. Watch out for his story.
Whereas volume 6 is full of unexpected violence, Rez Blues is a triumph on narrative. Though not giving huge plot progress, the seventh volume is way more than just a filler arc, it is a preparation of a rather bigger storm that will hit Prairie Rose Reservation for the second half of the story. So keep them coming, because we are all ready.
Oh wait, there's Shunka. Watch out for his story.
November 10, 2022
After six volumes of SCALPED, writer Jason Aaron has established in the Prairie Rose reservation a vast canvas on which to tell multiple but related stories underscoring his thematic points about the hardships of life on an "Indian Reservation."
In Issue #35 "Listening To The Earth Turn" with art by Danijel Xezelj he introduces two brand-new characters, Mance and Hazel, two senior citizens eking out a meager living in isolation on the remote edge of the reservation away from the populace. Their story is both inspirational and sad, illustrating how hardy, determined and resourceful Native Americans have needed to be in order to survive. When hard times arrive, the last thing on their minds is turning to the government for assistance.
Shunka, the bodyguard and enforcer for Chief Red Crow, gets the spotlight treatment in "A Fine Action Of An Honorable And Catholic Spaniard" (Issues #36-37) in a powerful story that reveals a side of Shunka not seen before, a weakness that can be exploited. Another character reveal that creates empathy for yet another hard ass player. I'm going to end up liking everybody before this saga ends.
R.M. Guera returns with his gritty, expressive art style for Issue #38 and "Family Tradition", the story of how Wade (Dash's alleged father), a lucky Vietnam War survivor (who has a chance meeting with someone else named Dashiel) returns to the reservation and joins up with the Dog Soldier Society in a flashback story.
Wade returns in the four-part "Unwanted" and attempts to reunite with son Dash and assist with discovering who killed Gina Bad Horse."Unwanted" is the capper on this Volume, and exemplifies justification for titling this volume "Rez Blues". You'll be plenty sad after you finish reading this. It's a treatise on neglected and unwanted infants, whether the decision is made to abort or bring up in poverty with a single parent or maternalistic "granny". Both past and present are reflected in similar situations: what to do about a pregnancy. Dash and Carol go through separate rehabs after a violent separation and meet again by chance. In a heartbreaking scene, Carol wants to tell Dash she's pregnant, he wants to tell her he loves and forgives her, and neither can bring up the words resulting in only fond farewells.
Another powerful volume. I'm ready to be pummeled with emotions some more. Bring it, Aaron and Guera!
In Issue #35 "Listening To The Earth Turn" with art by Danijel Xezelj he introduces two brand-new characters, Mance and Hazel, two senior citizens eking out a meager living in isolation on the remote edge of the reservation away from the populace. Their story is both inspirational and sad, illustrating how hardy, determined and resourceful Native Americans have needed to be in order to survive. When hard times arrive, the last thing on their minds is turning to the government for assistance.
Shunka, the bodyguard and enforcer for Chief Red Crow, gets the spotlight treatment in "A Fine Action Of An Honorable And Catholic Spaniard" (Issues #36-37) in a powerful story that reveals a side of Shunka not seen before, a weakness that can be exploited. Another character reveal that creates empathy for yet another hard ass player. I'm going to end up liking everybody before this saga ends.
R.M. Guera returns with his gritty, expressive art style for Issue #38 and "Family Tradition", the story of how Wade (Dash's alleged father), a lucky Vietnam War survivor (who has a chance meeting with someone else named Dashiel) returns to the reservation and joins up with the Dog Soldier Society in a flashback story.
Wade returns in the four-part "Unwanted" and attempts to reunite with son Dash and assist with discovering who killed Gina Bad Horse."Unwanted" is the capper on this Volume, and exemplifies justification for titling this volume "Rez Blues". You'll be plenty sad after you finish reading this. It's a treatise on neglected and unwanted infants, whether the decision is made to abort or bring up in poverty with a single parent or maternalistic "granny". Both past and present are reflected in similar situations: what to do about a pregnancy. Dash and Carol go through separate rehabs after a violent separation and meet again by chance. In a heartbreaking scene, Carol wants to tell Dash she's pregnant, he wants to tell her he loves and forgives her, and neither can bring up the words resulting in only fond farewells.
Another powerful volume. I'm ready to be pummeled with emotions some more. Bring it, Aaron and Guera!
July 8, 2011
So I started reading the Scalped series about two weeks ago, and have absolutely devoured it. Following double-agent Dasheil Bad Horse as he tries to walk the knife-edge between FBI agent and mafia goon in the setting of a run-down, desolate Indian reservation is absolutely enthralling. Full of badasses, hard cases, drug addicts, two-time losers, hussies, hustlers, cretins, felons, and occasionally the outlier honest person, the story grabs you in a stranglehold and dares you to try to get loose.
I found this collection particularly gripping, mostly for the first chapter about an old Indian couple living by themselves out in the middle of the badlands, who, for the first time in their long lives, feel that they haven't caught or harvested enough food for the winter, and with the old lady's kidneys failing, are facing the fact that they're going to have to finally ask for help. It's a hard and touching story, elegantly written, with strangely familiar themes of pride and forgiveness.
Five stars isn't enough.
I found this collection particularly gripping, mostly for the first chapter about an old Indian couple living by themselves out in the middle of the badlands, who, for the first time in their long lives, feel that they haven't caught or harvested enough food for the winter, and with the old lady's kidneys failing, are facing the fact that they're going to have to finally ask for help. It's a hard and touching story, elegantly written, with strangely familiar themes of pride and forgiveness.
Five stars isn't enough.
March 10, 2011
If Scalped were a tv show, Rez Blues would be one of those "filler" episodes that don't progress the main story line. Thankfully, this isn't tv. Even though several of the stories here are either sidetracks or backstories, this is no filler. In Rez Blues, I've finally moved past merely understanding the characters and toward real sympathy, at least for Dash and Carol, and even maybe for Shunka, if only a little bit. Also, the first story in this collection was a wonderful little slice of life. It was nice to have a little positivity break from the noir. Overall, I really enjoyed this one, and intend to keep reading the series.
November 7, 2018
Loved everything about this installment, and it was a much needed breather after the last volume. People are complex and broken and we all do the best we can. I loved the story about the old couple that kicked off this volume, and the exploration of parenthood. There are no easy answers, and life is hard, and sometimes we do the wrong thing, that is the right thing for us in the moment. The Dash and Carol scenes on a snowy night on the road are poignant, and I love Granny Poor Bear. As for Shunka! I simply did not see that coming.
My review of the complete series can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of the complete series can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 27, 2018
At this point, it seems like Jason Aaron and his guys are just huddling up between issues and going like: "all right, what is the wildest thing that could happen?"
I mean, the narrative is heading home at that point, but it unfolds with the energy and the violence of a freakin' Shakeaspearan tragedy. I love how Dashiell Bad Horse has turned from resident badass in the first issue to a broken, vulnerable man that everybody is trying to protect. This is a great story that should live beyond the pages it's printed on.
I mean, the narrative is heading home at that point, but it unfolds with the energy and the violence of a freakin' Shakeaspearan tragedy. I love how Dashiell Bad Horse has turned from resident badass in the first issue to a broken, vulnerable man that everybody is trying to protect. This is a great story that should live beyond the pages it's printed on.
March 30, 2014
Oh I am crying for Dash and Carol!!! So many dark paths opened with all leading to the darkest conclusion imaginable. Waiting on pins and needles.
March 25, 2011
How writer Jason Aaron does it, I don't think I'll ever really know, and perhaps that's the most fun about SCALPED.
Like the best serialized television series or the most epic films (and, for the latter, I can't think of a single film that measures up to the storytelling scope of SCALPED), Aaron both catapults his readers into the ongoing conflict of an undercover Native American agent working to uncover crimes on "The Rez," and unflinchingly casts glances into the sordid histories of the series' characters to give the book more depth and, ultimately, more future conflict.
"Rez Blues" follows suit with this narrative strength. Here, the fate of Dash's unborn child is revealed, and for those readers that felt that the pregnancy itself was going to be the biggest cross that Dash Bad Horse and his "equally bad" mistress had before them ... "Rez Blues" sets up conflicts that might not even come to fruition for another year or two, and that's perfectly okay with this particular critic.
It's the anticipation of what lies around the next corner that makes SCALPED one of the most coveted monthly books and collections to purchase & read, when it becomes available.
But "Blues" also continues to shed more light on the backgrounds of those memorable characters that populate the Rez, never failing to humanize them and never failing to force the reader to second-guess their presumptions about each of them, their motives, and their futures.
SCALPED remains one of the best comic book series being published today, complete with riveting storylines and compelling character development.
Strange, isn't it, that SCALPED is one of those series that demands to be produced for the cable small screen, whether for HBO, Showtime, or AMC?
Akin to programs like JUSTIFIED or THE SHIELD, this critic is confident that a televised SCALPED would become one of the most appreciated series on television today.
For those that have never read Kirkman's THE WALKING DEAD, the AMC cable program is one of the most entertaining shows of its kind ever.
Yet, like Kirkman's THE WALKING DEAD, would readers of SCALPED find that the program was simply "pretty good," understanding that nothing ... absolutely nothing ... will replace the storytelling that Aaron and his artists have constructed?
That, true believer, is the true measure of great reading: Something that cannot be captured or replicated, even in the hands of the most capable director and in the faces of the most trained actors.
For now, readers can continue to clear their throats of the dust that this series kicks up.
Gasping for your breath never felt so good.
Like the best serialized television series or the most epic films (and, for the latter, I can't think of a single film that measures up to the storytelling scope of SCALPED), Aaron both catapults his readers into the ongoing conflict of an undercover Native American agent working to uncover crimes on "The Rez," and unflinchingly casts glances into the sordid histories of the series' characters to give the book more depth and, ultimately, more future conflict.
"Rez Blues" follows suit with this narrative strength. Here, the fate of Dash's unborn child is revealed, and for those readers that felt that the pregnancy itself was going to be the biggest cross that Dash Bad Horse and his "equally bad" mistress had before them ... "Rez Blues" sets up conflicts that might not even come to fruition for another year or two, and that's perfectly okay with this particular critic.
It's the anticipation of what lies around the next corner that makes SCALPED one of the most coveted monthly books and collections to purchase & read, when it becomes available.
But "Blues" also continues to shed more light on the backgrounds of those memorable characters that populate the Rez, never failing to humanize them and never failing to force the reader to second-guess their presumptions about each of them, their motives, and their futures.
SCALPED remains one of the best comic book series being published today, complete with riveting storylines and compelling character development.
Strange, isn't it, that SCALPED is one of those series that demands to be produced for the cable small screen, whether for HBO, Showtime, or AMC?
Akin to programs like JUSTIFIED or THE SHIELD, this critic is confident that a televised SCALPED would become one of the most appreciated series on television today.
For those that have never read Kirkman's THE WALKING DEAD, the AMC cable program is one of the most entertaining shows of its kind ever.
Yet, like Kirkman's THE WALKING DEAD, would readers of SCALPED find that the program was simply "pretty good," understanding that nothing ... absolutely nothing ... will replace the storytelling that Aaron and his artists have constructed?
That, true believer, is the true measure of great reading: Something that cannot be captured or replicated, even in the hands of the most capable director and in the faces of the most trained actors.
For now, readers can continue to clear their throats of the dust that this series kicks up.
Gasping for your breath never felt so good.
October 2, 2022
(Zero spoiler review for the deluxe edition collecting this arc) 3.5/5
The highest rated book of the series according to the reviewers here... please. This is the most disappointing of the four so far, and Unfortunately, I could see it coming. I lamented, with much foreboding in my bones, that book 3 was heading in a different, and much less enjoyable direction from books 1 & 2, which were some of the best comics I've read. This collection had a distinct feeling of filler to it, with several of the issues, including the opening three, being of no real consequence to the ongoing story, and the two part Shunka solo run, not only being drawn by the weakest of the now three artists on this title, but making some revelations about his character that had my audibly groaning and shaking my head. It certainly wasn't the start to this series I wanted, and whilst things ebbed and flowed from there, Aaron's once delectable dialogue and plotting have fallen into distinctly average territory.
The pacing was once on point, but now it is either unnecessarily rushed or awfully pedestrian. Once imposing characters have been neutered through either Aaron's indifference or malaise, or taking them in some unconventional and bizarre directions. Chief Red Crow, once an amazingly nuanced character, is a damp squib, who now speaks and acts like your average C grade movie villain. I went from loving this character to lamenting his metaphorical death. Dash is another that has been butchered, with the outstanding initial plot and arcs being butchered or ground to halt to seemingly grind out its length or because Aaron just didn't know what else to do. Despite the decent score I've given it, because I do love this world, despite its growing list of flaws, I really am very disappointed with this.
Guerra's art is still poignant and proficient in places, although his cleaner style that appeared through book 3 and continues here has lost some of the magic it once had. Sure, my dislike of my direction could be an influence, but I'm objective enough to separate my feelings for both (at least I think I can, anyway).
I'll keep this relatively succinct, as a zero spoiler review somewhat hampers the depth and detail I can go into, but believe me, I would love to go balls to the wall and really delve into the occasionally fantastic and deeply flawed story here. Until then, I only hope book 5 pulls it all back in and finishes on a high. 3.5/5
OmniBen.
The highest rated book of the series according to the reviewers here... please. This is the most disappointing of the four so far, and Unfortunately, I could see it coming. I lamented, with much foreboding in my bones, that book 3 was heading in a different, and much less enjoyable direction from books 1 & 2, which were some of the best comics I've read. This collection had a distinct feeling of filler to it, with several of the issues, including the opening three, being of no real consequence to the ongoing story, and the two part Shunka solo run, not only being drawn by the weakest of the now three artists on this title, but making some revelations about his character that had my audibly groaning and shaking my head. It certainly wasn't the start to this series I wanted, and whilst things ebbed and flowed from there, Aaron's once delectable dialogue and plotting have fallen into distinctly average territory.
The pacing was once on point, but now it is either unnecessarily rushed or awfully pedestrian. Once imposing characters have been neutered through either Aaron's indifference or malaise, or taking them in some unconventional and bizarre directions. Chief Red Crow, once an amazingly nuanced character, is a damp squib, who now speaks and acts like your average C grade movie villain. I went from loving this character to lamenting his metaphorical death. Dash is another that has been butchered, with the outstanding initial plot and arcs being butchered or ground to halt to seemingly grind out its length or because Aaron just didn't know what else to do. Despite the decent score I've given it, because I do love this world, despite its growing list of flaws, I really am very disappointed with this.
Guerra's art is still poignant and proficient in places, although his cleaner style that appeared through book 3 and continues here has lost some of the magic it once had. Sure, my dislike of my direction could be an influence, but I'm objective enough to separate my feelings for both (at least I think I can, anyway).
I'll keep this relatively succinct, as a zero spoiler review somewhat hampers the depth and detail I can go into, but believe me, I would love to go balls to the wall and really delve into the occasionally fantastic and deeply flawed story here. Until then, I only hope book 5 pulls it all back in and finishes on a high. 3.5/5
OmniBen.
December 26, 2018
Hastasıyım... Yine başardı; bir ciltte daha vurdu geçti. Başarılı çizerlerin arkasında bir o kadar iyi metin, senaryo olması lazım. Bu sefer "Toprağın Hüznü"nde iki boyutlu karakterler üçüncü boyuta geçiyor. Ne olduğunu, ne anlattığını anlayamıyorsunuz en başta ama sonra, ama sonra kimin kim olduğunu, ilk ciltlerde anlatılan insanların nasıl o hali, tavrı aldıklarını görebiliyorsunuz. Müthiş bir seri. tekrar tekrar tavsiye ederim.
August 24, 2011
Visceral, gut-wrenching stories. This volume strays away from the central crime plot elements to focus on characters, some new, some old. Every single entry feels fresh. It's a bleak, harsh landscape, but that doesn't mean it can't have spots of beauty. This is a series unafraid to take risks, and that's always rewarding.
January 5, 2015
There are so many brilliant reviews for this volume that capture what I want to say. This volume gives back stories to some of the minor characters but also give side stories about life on the rez.
Everything comes together in this series: the writing, the art, the characters, drama, tension and grit, all of wrapped in thick layers of darkness.
It is just pure brilliance!!
Everything comes together in this series: the writing, the art, the characters, drama, tension and grit, all of wrapped in thick layers of darkness.
It is just pure brilliance!!
August 13, 2014
Gut-wrenching, heartbreaking.... Aaron & Guéra found great beauty in extraordinary pain...
July 16, 2015
Probably the saddest volume so far. Very tough, heart-breaking stories here.
August 19, 2016
I just wonder that is there any character there who doesn't dislike anyone ?
May 24, 2025
Scalped, Volume 7 continues to be a compelling, albeit often bleak as hell, reading experience. It's a journey into a world where pleasure is often intertwined with profound sadness.
The volume opens with a powerful standalone issue focusing on two elderly residents of the reservation, unrelated to the main narrative. Their story is one of unrelenting misfortune. This husband and wife's desperate struggle for survival on the reservation, devoid of financial means, is so goddamn heartbreaking. It's a testament to the power of a single issue to evoke such a strong emotional response.
Next, we delve into a two-part storyline featuring Shauka. His homosexuality was an unexpected, yet welcome, revelation. This entire arc is remarkably well-crafted, presenting a revenge narrative with a significant, well-executed twist.
The latter part of the book returns to the core cast as they attempt to recover from the chaos of the previous volume. This section excels in its quiet introspection, offering ample downtime and deep dives into the characters' internal struggles. This focus on their inner lives truly elevates the narrative. Carol undergoes a truly remarkable transformation that was almost tear-inducing. And Bad Horse, despite leading an incredibly difficult life, perseveres in his efforts to find a better path. With his father's return, giving more trouble to his already troubled life.
Overall, Scalped, Volume 7 is another fantastic, goddamn installment in this series.
The volume opens with a powerful standalone issue focusing on two elderly residents of the reservation, unrelated to the main narrative. Their story is one of unrelenting misfortune. This husband and wife's desperate struggle for survival on the reservation, devoid of financial means, is so goddamn heartbreaking. It's a testament to the power of a single issue to evoke such a strong emotional response.
Next, we delve into a two-part storyline featuring Shauka. His homosexuality was an unexpected, yet welcome, revelation. This entire arc is remarkably well-crafted, presenting a revenge narrative with a significant, well-executed twist.
The latter part of the book returns to the core cast as they attempt to recover from the chaos of the previous volume. This section excels in its quiet introspection, offering ample downtime and deep dives into the characters' internal struggles. This focus on their inner lives truly elevates the narrative. Carol undergoes a truly remarkable transformation that was almost tear-inducing. And Bad Horse, despite leading an incredibly difficult life, perseveres in his efforts to find a better path. With his father's return, giving more trouble to his already troubled life.
Overall, Scalped, Volume 7 is another fantastic, goddamn installment in this series.
June 24, 2014
The seventh instalment of Scalped ‘Rez Blues’ serves more as a bridge to later volumes as opposed to progressing the core story with each chapter focusing of one of the many unique characters on the reservation. In Rez Blues we gain an insight to Red Crow’s hired gun Shunka – his personal life, beliefs, and tendency to use violence over reason, Wade – Bad Horse’s father makes an appearance and attempts to reconcile with his begotten son, Bad Horse himself battles his demons head on, while Carole is faced with a life changing decision which adds a previously unseen level of maturity to her character. As with any Scalped, it’s the narrative that shines – combined with a gritty, raw and unforgiving setting, Rez Blues continues to build upon the solid foundation set in the previous six instalments.
August 14, 2011
Astonishing, melancholy, gripping, but still lots of fun. Jason Aaron's storytelling instincts get redirected (to awesome effect) when he sees a plot getting too constrained, too teleological and boring. So here, he gives us a couple stand-alone tales, one featuring an elderly reservation couple suffering for food, the other a twisted power-grab of sorts with homophobia and a closeted hit-man taking the convoluted Native American "identity" to the next level... then we're dreamt back and forth from 1969 Vietnam to the "present" to the nearer past -- abortion clinics figure in much of this time-shifting. And something epic is surely on the horizon, given the confused proximity of several lost souls at the arc's conclusion.
March 26, 2018
Anotace začíná slovy "pořád ta samá písnička" a přitom pravda snad ani nemůžeme být vzdálenější. Naopak, Skalpy jsou knihu od knihy lepší a lepší. Ty tam jsou křenící momenty z prvního alba, kdy se skrze rádoby cool hlášky šlo po laciné líbivosti, nyní to Aaron dotáhl na regulérní skoro až dokudrama o každodenní těžkosti (ne)bytí (nejen) v rezervacích. Mistrovská práce s charaktery, genius loci, fakty i žánrovými pravidly, kde mezi nejpamátnější momenty nepatří pasáže nekompromisního násilí, ale scény à la noční setkání ve sněhu s dialogem nevyřčeného.
January 16, 2019
Can’t wait for the ending!
April 21, 2020
Although it was interesting to get a deeper look at some characters, it seemed to drag the story too much. Curious to see where this will take us.
October 22, 2016
Unlike most vols in this series so far, i'm rounding up to 4 stars, because even though the story of Hazel and Mance comes out of nowhere and still seems irrelevant to everything before and after it so far (ie, thru vol 8), it was a well crafted and nicely nuanced story that i think would make for a pretty good 1-act stage production.
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