I’ve been wanting to expand our coverage into the world of comic books, but really didn’t want to just tread the old stand review formula. Readers seemed to enjoy our Black Dynamite comic coverage, so it would seem I’m not alone in being interested in the comic world.

In that vein I’d like to take some time to try and expose you to some of the titles I’ve been enjoying, and not tell you why it’s good or bad but just give you a nice overview and then you can decide for yourself if it’s something you’d like to try for yourself.

To start this new kick I’m going to talk about Oni Press’ The 6th Gun. What I read is the first trade paperback released called “Cold Dead Fingers” and includes issues #1-6 of the ongoing series. The 6th Gun is a post civil war western that manages to mix in a healthy dose of horror and the supernatural.

This may be easy to infer from the title but it’s based around a group of mystical six shooters that do a lot more than just fire bullets. Each one does something different and otherwordly, and none of them stray to far from being evil. One gun for example commands the spirits of the people it kills to do it’s bidding, or shoots bullets that make the victim melt as if it was hit by acid. Nasty nasty stuff.

The 6th gun belongs to Confederate General Oleander Hume, who’s been killed but just doesn’t die. So evil that hell doesn’t want him kind of deal. At the start of the story he’s being held prisoner, buried on consecrated ground… and he’s not happy about it. His cronies, who also own hold most of the magical guns, come rescue him and dig him up. And while still chained and barely able to speak has only one goal in mind, to reclaim his gun.

Currently that gun is being held by an old preacher, but he’s dying. The gun falls to a young girl that lives on the preacher’s farm, and after accidentally picking it up she learns that the gun can only be used by the first person to touch it after it’s previous owner dies (or is killed). That means young Becky must now run for her life with the gun in tow if she want to outlive General Hume’s wrath. She partners up with the shady Drake Sinclair to combat the macabre crew and their deadly weapons.

What initially drew me to the book was simply the setting, I’ve never read a wild west comic book before. There’s just something cool about the time and place of the western, especially when you insert the horror vibe to it. The confederate army lends itself easily to playing the villain, even more so when you put the evil spirit tweak to it. The artwork fits the feel of story very well, it’s dark and brooding when it needs to be buy always conveys the western theme.

Young innocent Becky is our view into this fantastical world, and you can really feel for the horrible situation she’s now found herself in. Drake Sinclair helps Becky out, but you can tell he’s a man not to be trusted and with his own dark intentions… not to mention he’s got a history with the general. The cast of characters are varied and interesting, and set up themselves up very well for a good long run.

I thoroughly enjoyed The 6th Gun and will definitely pick up the next volume of the trade when it comes out. If you’re into westerns or supernatural stories, then I think it’s something you’d most likely enjoy.