The Sixth Gun by Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt is a comic published through Oni Press. As of this writing there are 10 issues released, and 6 of these have been collected in a trade paperback form.
This comic was recommended to me by a local artist. He expressed how much he really enjoyed it and recommended highly that I should read it as well. After some back and forth, I decided to try it.
The Sixth Gun is set in the Old West, full of cowboys, horses, guns, zombies, ghosts ... you know, the usual. It follows Drake Sinclair, a mysterious figure, who is introduced to us when he goes out to a hanging tree filled with spirits. From this moment, you know that it's going to be very different than your normal way out West epic. Next, we are introduced to Becky Montcrief, a young woman who is looking after her ailing step-father. Their farm is being watched and something is about to go down. As he is lying on his death bed, he tells her to destroy the contents of a box that he gives to her. However, before he can explain why this is so important, they are attacked and out comes a gun. When the gun fight is done, he is gone, the gun is left behind, and Becky picks it up, which binds this gun to her. Turns out that there are six special guns in this world that, after the person who owned it is killed and the next person touches it, will only work for that one person, and no one else without hurting them. The guns have unlimited ammo, and are very specific in what they do. Becky's gun is a type of psychic compass, giving clues to where they should go next, and who is coming to attack. Soon, Drake and Becky are being chased by the owners of the other 5 guns and their newly resurrected leader, "The General," a corpse of a man who is desperate to get his gun back.
What works well about this story is the fact that it takes a western and combines it with such elements as mystery, magic, and even horror. Yes, the "horror" isn't that scary, all things considered, but it does have corpses rising from their prisons, and zombies, and giant creatures attacking, and ghosts. So, yes, there are several examples of horror represented. It works, however, that these elements come together to form a really well done story.
The art by Hurtt is very successful in giving a lot of good detail and really bringing out the emotion in the characters. It never ceases to amaze me how some artists can pull a realistic feeling panel or panels to make you feel part of the story, while others spend a lot of effort to make sure that every panel is perfectly still, almost statuesque. Of course, this is based on taste, and the art here fits the story extremely well.
The Sixth Gun covers a lot of ground in six issues. The fast pace keeps you wanting to read it, even though you know that it's coming to an end. I was very saddened when I reached the end, and realized that I now have to make a decision to either buy the floppies or wait and get the next trade. It's a tough call, but I do recommend at least picking this one up to give it a whirl.
This comic is rated as a T for Teen, Ages 13+
Retail price for the trade paperback is: $19.99.
--MGS
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