Broken Frontier

The Sixth Gun #14 is a fantastic issue of loneliness, isolation, heartbreak, and the supernatural. 

For new readers, The Sixth Gun is fun and exciting mashup of Western tales, Civil War history, and enough horror themes to satiate any monster fanatic.  The best part of The Sixth Gun #14, however, is how the outstanding story works so well on its own.  Whether readers read this in part of the greater story or jump into the series with this singular issue, they will be greeted with a great issue packed with an emotional story and great art from guest artist Tyler Crook of Petrograd and B.P.R.D. fame.

Writter Cullen Bunn spends almost the entirety of issue 14 focuses on the Shakespearean tragic story of Asher Cobb, his rise to Union Army hero, and inevitable downfall to mummified undead.  Cobb’s story pulls at the heart-strings because it is much more than a simple mummy tale of destruction and murder.  Cobb’s story is completely fleshed out, from his childhood hidden by his father, to the budding relationship with his love Ruth, and finally his heroic yet tragic choice to leave it all behind to join the Union Army.  Along the way, Cobb meets some famous historical and mythological characters, including a certain famous president, and three witch sisters. 

Along with Bunn’s emotional story, guest artist Tyler Crook’s art brings the characters to life.  Crook’s pencils perfectly fit the mix of supernatural and historical themes within the issue.  He is somehow able to make Cobb’s grotesque, misshapen head, and lanky figure relatable and likeable, which is vitally important to the story itself.

Crook is also able to give us a peak into the fractured mental state of Cobb by utilizing multiple art styles; as Cobb is struck by his mental flashes of the future, Crook’s art changes to a much more jarring and jagged style.

The Sixth Gun #14 is a great issue and a perfect introduction to the series for anyone looking to jump in.  Both Cullen Bunn’s story and Tyler Crook’s art deliver an emotional story that resonates for multiple reasons.  Whether you enjoy historical fiction, monsters and the supernatural, or Western tales, The Sixth Gun is the book to fill your needs.