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Published by: Oni Press
Released on: Mar. 19, 2014
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Brian Hurtt
Cover artist: Brian Hurtt
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Part four of the story “Not the Bullet, But the Fall†has members of the group reeling from a recent decrease in their numbers, and the remaining members have to deal with Jesup, a general in Griselda the Grey Witch's army. He has gun number 5 and he's after the other five for the witch, as she wants the power the guns hold. Brimstone is under attack and things are looking bleak for the good guys.
Overrun by gun-toting alien-looking humanoids, Drake leads the charge in front of Becky and Nidawi with his four guns (Becky has gun #6), using #3 (inflicts an instantaneous flesh rotting disease) and #2 (flames of perdition) to help clear the way. Becky uses her gun, which seems to have a more powerful force within it than the other five. The gun gives her a vision that reveals the fate that befell her friends and she doesn't take it too well.
Jesup shows up and there is certainly some history with Drake. After some jawing between the two adversaries, Jesup pulls a move that pushes the watching warrior Nahual to react violently. But that concerns Jesup little, as hepossesses the fifth gun, which has the power to heal the holder. This doesn't play along in Nahual's less-than-well-thought-out plans. And what about the witch? Not much to report from her, but she reveals a key piece of information about the power of the six guns when possessed by a single person. One can imagine that power would have disastrous results in the hands of an 8-foot entity such as the Grey Witch.
Although probably a terrible point in the comics' run to jump in for the first time, Cullen Bunn does a great job with delivering enough information in the course of the issue without over explaining. Being a first timer, this reader had no trouble understanding what was happening and to whom. The clean and structured style of artist Brian Hurtt brings to the table well executed gun fight as well as some great action sequences. It's pretty standard by way of layout and panel progression, but attractive art nonetheless. The two men work well and put out a very entertaining book. I just may have to hunt down some back issues now. Recommended.
