Written by: Cullen Bunn
Art by: Brian Hurtt
Publisher: Oni Press
Jumping back into a familiar comic is one of the more comforting feelings to experience. You know most, if not all, of the characters, and the story is one that makes you want to keep reading. Nothing is too convoluted for hardcore and casual fans alike.
The Sixth Gun is one of those series that has found many fans and spawned multiple side comics, but the main story is simply a pleasure to read, even after months away. The entire premise is unique, and the characters are an essential part of the experience. Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt are back with another entry in this long-running series, and they are nearing the culmination of one crazy (in a good way) story. Issue #49 has infinitely less action than earlier entries in The Sixth Gun, but that’s perfectly acceptable given the sheer amount of storylines in play.
Following the constantly surprising story of the six guns, issue #49 picks up with multiple groups headed to a place where the world can be rebuilt. On one side is the group led by the Grey Witch, and on the other is the group including the unlikely hero, Drake Sinclair. Gambler that he is, however, Sinclair actually has a deeper history than originally hinted at. In fact, the man pursuing the six guns could possibly be the most important character of them all, but that information isn’t known just yet. What is known is the fact that time is most certainly running out for the Swords of Abraham and anyone trying to prevent the world’s destruction. The Knights of Solomon and the Grey Witch are closer than ever to reaching their destination, and doom seems likely.
Luckily, the Grey Witch leads a group more concerned with tearing itself apart than actually finishing her quest. Despite being given some of the six guns, multiple restless members of the witch’s group are spending more time trying to pick a fight with a Pinkerton while causing group stress. It’s a very unique situation that fits well with a story focusing completely on character interactions. The constant tension is sure to explode in a delightfully sadistic way, most likely during a big confrontation.
Having stepped away from this series for a while, it was a very nice change of pace to come back and immediately remember all of the main plotlines. The Sixth Gun is a very large series, but no parts are too confusing for readers. In fact, the branching stories fit together extremely well even when jumping from timeline to timeline. Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt have been working on The Sixth Gun for a very long time, and their experience definitely shows during each issue.
Sure, The Sixth Gun #49 may be a little late for new fans to jump on board, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from getting interested and going back to older issues. Fans that have been reading this series for a while should be prepared for a quieter experience that doesn’t disappoint.
