Pick of the Week

April 20, 2011 – The Sixth Gun #11

What did the
iFanboy
community think?

200
Pulls
Avg Rating: 4.7
iFanboy Community Pick of the Week Percentage: 13.4%
 
Users who pulled this comic:
By Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt

Size: pages
Price: 3.99

The thing that stands out about this issue is the dexterity of Cullen Bunn’s long range maneuvers in this book, and how textbook perfect they’ve been all along. This issue is the culmination of the second story arc in The Sixth Gun, and like the last closing issue, it deftly wrapped up what had been going on, while at the same time, it opened the door for what was coming next. Of course, that’s standard practice, but so often in comics, we’re left feeling like we’ve been strung along, and received no answers, and witnessed no growth. That’s not what happened in The Sixth Gun #11 at all. At the end of this one, we were in a different place than where we started.

The close of the previous chapter had the characters trapped, hunted in a graveyard by an evil monster, as well as more mysterious figures that we all figured to be more antagonists. It was pretty standard stuff coming into the final part of a story arc, but in this one we saw a little bit of twist, and a conclusion that was satisfying, but also made me want to know more right away. It takes a deft hand to do that. The mysterious strangers in the graveyard weren’t new enemies, but rather new allies, and for some reason, that made me feel better. I like it when the protagonists gain confederates (not that kind), and I was glad to see Becky gain some help. That also lays the groundwork for more character interaction and conflict later, but right then, it was a welcome addition. The monster was dealt with, but the threat felt real, and the nature of the book is such that I don’t really know who will survive. That keeps the stakes high. Then, when the threat is dealt with, the characters, as well as the readers, are informed that this is but the beginning. The nature of these cursed weapons will draw evil to them indefinitely. In other words, this series is off and running.

That is the trick right there. Sometimes you get to the end of a story arc, and they pull out the rabbit of what’s coming up next, and you feel like you’re just being strung out forever, with no closure. When it’s done well, you’re excited for the next thing. The Sixth Gun is doing it perfectly. The world keeps getting, and stakes keep raising. The world is at stake in this story and the scope is magnificent. This is the result of careful planning and laying out the pieces bit by bit, and having them form, not a messy hodgepodge of elements, but rather a single tapestry, held together by the concept of these mystical, cursed weapons. In other words, they don’t real good, and I’m proper hooked.

I’d like to make a special note that this book has some of my favorite names in comics. Naming characters is an art that many readers take for granted. I’ve always loved the name Billjohn O’Henry, even if he’s only a muddy golem at this point. The name Becky Montcrief works, because the nickname version of the first name tells you that she might be a little young and in over her head, and the last name has a hint of upper class status and dignity. Drake Sinclair’s name is unmistakeable, and we don’t know what to make of Kirby Hale. It’s friendly sounding. Almost too much so. He could be trouble. But he could also be redeemed. In a supernatural western, the writer has a little more freedom to play fast and loose with names that couldn’t be used in a modern book, but in this book, it’s one of the great little pleasure.

Brian Hurtt is not a household name in comics, but he’s been around for a good, long while. His style is the perfect blend of storytelling craft and classic cartooning skills for a book like this, and I think it’s gotten better with every issue. Just as the concepts and character of the world has filled out, so has the look and design been cemented. We get to know the look of all these disparate characters, and as we do so, the artist knows the better as well. Their expressions, postures, and mannerisms are solidified, and it makes them more real, and therefore we care more about them. At the same time, Hurtt also gets to cut loose with crazy magical monsters and flocks of evil birds, hordes of walking dead men, and the aforementioned muddy golem. The amount of story that’s being crammed into each page is so ably handled, and the game is upped by what looks like an artist having a lot of fun. Maybe it’s just that he was glad that this story is a respite from horses. I know artists well enough to understand that much. But look at any given page of this book, and you’ll see an artist trying to do his best work, and putting as much into those pages as he can fit. Look at the scene outside of the train, with all the crowds and scenery. Look at the graveyard fight, and all the characters taking part. If he’s taking shortcuts, he’s covering them up well, because there are a lot of corners that are not being cut at all. The layouts are exhaustingly detailed, and it’s just damned impressive. Without an artist as strong as Brian Hurtt, this book didn’t stand a chance of success. If nothing else, that shot of the casket in the train at the end is all kinds of wonderful.

In today’s comic market, western books are not particularly in demand, and don’t have a lot of luck. The fact that Jonah Hex is still being published is as mysterious as Stonehenge, as is the success of The Sixth Gun. But I’ve been to conventions, and seen great big crowds of people throughout the show mobbing Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt. The Sixth Gun has resonated with people, because it’s well done and the passion of the creators shows through. That doesn’t happen too often in comics, but when it does, it’s a kind of magic all its own.If you’re yearning for something more than your regular old comic book, grab The Sixth Gun.

Josh Flanagan
That is a lot of crucifixes right there.
josh@ifanboy.com

Comments

  1. So does issue twelve start a new arc then?

  2. @pyynk  Looks like it.

  3. The Sixth Gun has been one of my favorite titles since its first issue.  I’m so glad Josh made it his pick — first-time PotW in eleven tries. 😉 
    Thanks, Josh; this book really deserves a larger following.

    Now if I could just get you guys to read my other favorite underread book, 20th Century Boys….

  4. Yeah this is one book that has not dissappointed at all over the 11 issues.  Each time they’ve been fantastic in all aspects.

  5. I’ve heard nothing but excellent stuff about this series. Gonna have to pick up the first trade.

  6. I really need to pick up the first trade of this.

  7. I’m tired of hearing nothing but good things about this book, so I’m going to join in and get that first trade. 

  8. @davidtobin100
    @Bryce31
    @overtheJames
    Get the first trade already!  You’ll love it.  Promise.

  9. @josh  Awesome, it’s one that I’ve been wanting to pick up, but I didn’t want to jump in completely blind.

  10. Love, love, LOVE this book, always my most-looked forward too book when my comics come in…
    That said, won’t be getting it for another 2 weeks or so because of DCBS. Grr… 

  11. I really enjoyed the first trade.  I’m looking forward to the second collection when it hits stands.  Hopefully, they can have it hit with issue 12, so I can get on issues with this series.

  12. I think you guys just sold one copy each of the first 2 trades. Oni should buy you a drink.

  13. @Ben That’s what I’m planning to do too.

  14. Never having read an issue before this one, I bought it today and enjoyed it. Supernatural Old West tale, with loose art that keeps it feeling cartoony rather than too real. Nice work.

  15. Well I feel dumb for never giving this series a try. Gonna find the first trade right now!

    How do you feel about the covers josh? I think they’re good but sometimes a bit too busy. Like this cover, two good drawings but too much is going on to really appreciate it. Just asking. 

  16. Love this series.  Actually have to thank James Robinson for that.  The week the first issue hit the shelves, so did the second and he said to me “This book is going to be amazing and the next big thing.  Trust me.”  He also said something about it being Oni and that means it’ll be awesome.

  17. @TheNextChampion  The nice thing about the covers for this book is that they actually indicate something about the story.  Never so much that the plot is spoiled in any way but enough that they wet your appettie for the contents.  They also get more busy as the action in the book itself increases which I also really like.

  18. Was invincible considered for this pick?

  19. Wow, I really thought Dark Horse presents would get the POTW. I’ve never even heard of this book, but now I’m really interested in it.

  20. @JohnVFerrigno  We’ve talked about it on the show a lot…

  21. @conallgil  We’ll talk about it on the show coming up. But you can always look at my ratings for the books of the week.

  22. Dammit. I bet my friend that Suicide Girls #1 would be the pick of the week. I guess that’s $895,731 down the drain.

  23. I usually miss books like this when they start and so glad I jumped on this from the beginning.  Hoping that another free comic book day book grabs me like this one did. 

  24. @josh thanks for putting this book on my map. just finished the first two issue and I don’t plan on stopping till I’m caught up. I think supernaturaloccult western is a genre mash-up that is rich with possibilities.

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