THE SIXTH GUN #44
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Brian Hurtt, Bill Crabtree
Published by Oni Press
Release Date: November 5, 2014
As this series progresses, month after month, I find myself saying “holy s***” a lot. Issue #44 of The Sixth Gun had me dropping that line page after page as the stakes of this magnificent adventure get higher and wilder by the page.
Cullen Bunn has been crafting a masterpiece with The Sixth Gun and issue #44 highlights all the best parts of this world he and Brian Hurtt have created. This issue is chock full of awesome, with mystical old forces colliding and the curse and power of The Six continuing to cause chaos in the world. Bunn’s writing has never been stronger than when he is working on The Sixth Gun as he deftly balances writing action and narrative that reads as a poem in some ways. The juxtaposition between the narrative and the wild action occurring on the page gives this issue a unique feel. The pacing of the narrative gives the chaos an immense amount of gravity and allows Hurtt to really just let it fly in the ongoing war between Becky, Drake and the Grey Witch. This is building to one hell of a conclusion and Bunn takes the stakes to new levels with this issue. Bunn has made The Sixth Gun critical reading, and that continues in this issue.
Brian Hurtt brings his “A-game” to this issue, showing a huge war involving titans in a series of fantastic 12 panel grids. He executes this brilliantly and every panel in this comic enhances the stress and wild nature of this story. Hurtt captures the chaos of this war very well and the power he infuses into characters in this comic is amazing. Mild spoiler, the Thunderbirds unleash and hot damn, is it ever a wonder to behold. There are several jaw dropping moments in this comic and I think Hurtt is only getting better 44 issues into this series. The Grey Witch is menacing and Hurtt’s facial work with the character is downright eerie and I’m to the point where I don’t think Hurtt can miss the mark with this comic. He is a great storyteller and this issue showcases his talent well.
Fourty four issues into The Sixth Gun and the story is still firing on all cylinders. The unique blend of western, adventure, horror and fantasy, coupled with great characters and excellent art makes this comic (and series as a whole) a must read. I want issue #45 in my hands yesterday and the conclusion of this arc is going to be epic. Hold onto your hats and watch the madness unfold…
The Verdict: 9.5/10