The great comics chronicler of Texas history, Jack “Jaxon” Jackson brought forth Secret of San Saba, in which early conquistadors from early Texas discover an unearthly Lovecraftian horror beneath the sagebrush that poops gold. It’s been out of print forever, like most of Jackson’s work, so if you see it in some dusty bookstore shelf… Known as ‘Jaxon’ since his Underground Commix heyday, Jackson’s infectious fascination with the history of gothic Texas is a signature of much of his work even from the earliest days. Here the Commix legend expertly combines a love of historical documentary with the fabulous Lovecraftian horrors of the cosmic void, resulting in a breathtaking and wonderful period supernatural thriller, skillfully woven into the fabric and lore of the Southwest desert lands…
When a silvery entity crashes to Earth in a blazing fireball, it galvanizes the fading dreams of Xotl, a young Faraone warrior who had lost faith in his gods.
As the years pass, the natives worship the fearsomely fulgent power of the star-fallen thing, and when the mighty Apaches conquer the Faraone, the twice-defeated tribe turn to the newly arrived Europeans for help. This is a tragic mistake, revealed too late, after the tribe finds that Priests and Colonists might speak of God but only truly worship wealth.
When the newcomers learn of the Cosmic Slug that fell from the stars, all they can see is the overwhelming wealth its silver mantle represents…
The decades-long battle between Apaches and Missionaries to control the slimy silver wellspring makes for a powerful if cynical tale, full of the intoxicating artistry, spellbinding storytelling, and the mesmerizing aura of authenticity that is Jackson’s most telling narrative tool.
Based on the ancient gothic Texas stories and legends of ‘Blanco’ and ‘Negro Bultos’ (supernatural treasure mounds), this most fantastic story should be, has to be true, if only because he has drawn it.
