The Sixth Gun, Vol. 7: Not the Bullet, But the Fall

The Sixth Gun #7

by Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurtt (Illustrator), Tyler Crook (Illustrator)

The dogs of war are gnawing at their leashes! The forces of darkness have hounded Becky Montcrief since she first placed her hand on the Sixth Gun. Now, Becky and her allies are taking the fight to their enemies. Their goal - destroy the cursed guns once and for all! But the Grey Witch has plans of her own, and she stages a shockingly brutal counter-attack! The unexpected outcome of this battle will change the fate of the Six forever! This is the beginning of the end!

Collects issues 36 to 41.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Westerns, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2014

About the author

Cullen grew up in rural North Carolina, but now lives in the St. Louis area with his wife Cindy and his son Jackson. His noir/horror comic (and first collaboration with Brian Hurtt), The Damned, was published in 2007 by Oni Press. The follow-up, The Damned: Prodigal Sons, was released in 2008. In addition to The Sixth Gun, his current projects include Crooked Hills, a middle reader horror prose series from Evileye Books; The Tooth, an original graphic novel from Oni Press; and various work for Marvel and DC. Somewhere along the way, Cullen founded Undaunted Press and edited the critically acclaimed small press horror magazine, Whispers from the Shattered Forum.

All writers must pay their dues, and Cullen has worked various odd jobs, including Alien Autopsy Specialist, Rodeo Clown, Professional Wrestler Manager, and Sasquatch Wrangler.

And, yes, he has fought for his life against mountain lions and he did perform on stage as the World's Youngest Hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime, and he'll tell you all about it.

Visit his website at www.cullenbunn.com.

Reviews

[Tina Haigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brace yourselves, it's going to get wild. So much happens in this volume! The grey witch is a serious threat and she's really stirring everything up. There's manipulation, separation, betrayal, hard choices, a near death, and some actual death - or at least I think so, but you never know in this series. There's also some really interesting back story, showing how the witch was originally a normal girl. I love this series and I'm super excited for the next volume!

[Sam Quixote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becky, Drake and co. return to Brimstone, the town where their journey began a year ago (in the story – the series has been going on for several years at this point) to make their next move. Meanwhile, General Oleander Hume’s mother, the Grey Witch Griselda, sends her snakemen army led by the former Pinkerton Jesup, who also has the healing gun, to take Becky and Drake’s remaining five guns. Our heroes begin the fight of their lives as all hell breaks loose and the beginning of the end of The Sixth Gun kicks off!

The first thing I noticed about this volume is how much the cast has grown from Becky and Drake to seven people total. Cullen Bunn must’ve noticed that as well because he spends this book whittling down the numbers back down to two! Not the Bullet, But the Fall (great title), is a near book-length battle scene with characters getting knocked off in each chapter. It’s made more exciting by the disintegration of the heroes’ group from the inside with the unstable elements turning against each other. Drake is also changing for the worse after holding on to most of the guns for so long and his actions become unpredictable.

Hats off to Brian Hurtt for yet another amazing-looking book! Those panels of a desolated future with Asher Cobb walking the ruins, the underground structure the Knights of Solomon are constructing, and even a quiet, simple bar scene at the start are rendered with enormous skill to look beautiful.

Also included is a standalone issue that shows how Griselda went from ordinary girl to monstrous hag which is a fine add-on to the main story. But basically there’s not a whole lot to say about this seventh volume besides it’s a really fun comic that reads really smoothly and enjoyably! It’s also good to see our heroes at their lowest ebb, kind of like the end of The Empire Strikes Back. I don’t think we’ve seen our heroes without any of the guns so seeing how they’ll manage the fight back without them looks like it’s going to be really interesting. Want to read a really good supernatural western comic? The Sixth Gun is all that and a plate of grits!

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our band of heroes return to Brimstone, the town where this all began. Soon they are in for the fight of their lives as the Grey Witch, Jesup and hordes of snake men come for them and not everyone makes it out alive. I was very sad to see some of these characters go (but that's a sign of good writing, I actually care that they died). Things are looking as bad as they can for our little band of heroes by the end of the book. The last issue was an origin story for the Grey Witch.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of this book is taken up with a single battle, back where the story began. But that's ok, because it's a good battle, it's written well, and the consequences at the end are going to put a heavy weight on the heroes. Nice. There's a definite sense that the story is winding up, which is good. A book like this shouldn't go on forever, and the writer should bring it to a close while his ideas are still hot. Also, there's a flashback issue with the origin of the Grey Witch, which is far deeper than I ever would have guessed. I liked that it shed a little extra light on the long history of the Guns. Not that I wouldn't still like to see a Six Swords miniseries at one point.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The October reads continue!! Drake, Becky and crew are still looking for Missy Hume but unbeknownst to them, due to the events of the last volume, that’s something they are not going to be able to do. But, General Hume’s mother, the Grey Witch, has amassed her army and sent them after Drake and company. The fight was brutal and got dark. Not everyone made it out of that battle. Man, that’s jacked up. Drake and Becky escape by the skin of their teeth. We also get the backstory on momma Hume/Grey Witch. We see how she became who she is which was pretty terrible. Almost at the end. 2 more volumes. Curious how this is going to wrap up.

[Diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things get pretty crazy in this volume. The heroes are pushed to their limits and beyond as they get near their goal. This volume has lots of action, and no one is safe. It looks like this series is headed toward an interesting end. If you're looking for supernatural western action, then you can't go wrong with this series.

[Kris Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoo-boy, hell breaks loose and the stage is set for an apocalyptic final few issues. Looking forward to the last two trades!

[Michael J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creators Cullen Bunn and Briant Hurtt with the SIXTH GUN series have established an epic tale set within the weird west that demonstrates world-building skills and character development at a high level. The story is fascinating and the art is a powerful depiction of these settings and events that vividly enhances and embellishes the plot.
If you've read this far into THE SIXTH GUN series, then you're as invested in these characters as I am. Sadly, not all of them will be alive by the final chapter of this volume, and some have been captured or dramatically changed in less than positive ways. Becky Montcrief, Drake Sinclair and company decide to take the fight back to the forces of darkness that have hounded them. However, the Grey Witch assembles a demonic army that is too much for them to handle, resulting in an unexpected outcome that makes the next chapters hard to determine.
In this volume, the individual powers of the six guns are revealed in explosive action scenes that demonstrate their occult abilities. There is also an intriguing backstory on the origins of the Grey Witch that occur centuries before the current battle.
I'm still optimistic but expect the next volume to be dark and grim. This is a series that does not get stuck in formulaic proceedings and continues to surprise and delight.

[Kaisersoze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effectively comprising a massive battle between the good and evil sides with the six guns as the spoils for the victor, Volume 7 in Cullen Bunn's series is a fast-paced roller coaster ride from start to almost-finish as numerous characters fall, others make momentous decisions, and the true nature of certain character's powers are revealed. The final edition of the volume is dedicated to the backstory of the biggest antagonist the series has yet seen, Griselda the Grey Witch, providing some explanation as to why she is set upon her evil ends.

By now, regular readers will no doubt have adjusted to the cartoonish nature of the artwork. I guess I fall into that category, as on some pages Brian Hurtt's illustrations are stellar. However, on others, they seem overly simple (at least to my eye) and don't quite provide the sense of gravitas that some scenes demand.

Nevertheless, Not the Bullet, But the Fall is a quality volume that seems to have set the final end game for the series in motion. Here's hoping the climax is as good as this.

4 Ruthless Cullings for The Sixth Gun, Volume 7: Not the Bullet, But the Fall.

[Nate]

Brutal. Most of this volume is taken up by one fight, but it’s both thrilling and consequential for our heroes. There are some shocking turns that I did not see coming. Bunn has done an excellent job pacing the story and keeping it suspenseful from one issue to the next, and I’m reading quickly simply because I want to know what happens. The issue detailing Griselda’s backstory is also very well done. It answers some final questions before the end, which is most certainly nigh.

[Václav · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4,3 of 5 for this glorious gun-blazing ride)
Stroy continues, intensifies, battling lizard-humans is fun, guns firing at a tremendous pace are for the moment replaced by a flashback to Giselda aka Grey Witch (with arty by glorious Crook) origins and then right back to action.

[Lenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was unexpectedly an emotional volume, as there are indeed many bullets and many falls. Our crew returns to Brimstone to try and find a hint as to Widow Hume's whereabouts - and she catches up with them, unexpectedly - but little do they know, they've taken the bait of a much more dangerous opponent, the Grey Witch, who is about to completely show her hand. Sinclair and Becky are pushed to the absolute edge in this arc, and it seemed like a crime that the final issue was dedicated to the Grey Witch's backstory (though the source of her powers will most definitely be relevant later). 

I knew we would eventually lose some characters as we head into the penultimate volume of the series (and the end of the world), but there were far more character deaths than I was expecting this issue. Almost one or two per issue, they had me gasping aloud and almost shouting with despair right into the book. I am still slightly heartbroken about a few of those. But hey, that's what makes a great story.

Bunn, Hurtt and Crabtree navigate a tense and action-packed issue with the mastery that comes with several years on the series. The horror elements are at their visual finest, with snakes coming out of undead peoples' eyes, a pivotal moment of Asher standing among towering flames, and an epic battle with a returning villain and an unhinged Drake Sinclair. It's moments like this that make it a for sure 'belongs on my shelf' series.

This is an exciting and unbelievably fun series, but before finishing up Sixth Gun, I'm going to need to take a moment to mourn.

[47Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story still feels fresh after all this time. It has purpose and many changes are introduced, like betrayals and more death for important characters. Even with all the magic, the fact that named characters die makes it feel realistic. They aren't invincible, especially when facing an opponent that has numbers on her side.

Drake's people are reeling after their recent ordeals. Becky and Kirby have gotten close again, Gord and Asher are looking for clues on what their next step is, Nahuel and Nidawi have their doubts about their importance to this quest and Drake still wants to get rid of the Six.

Griselda reaches Asher and convinces him to work for her in exchange for reuniting him with his dead wife. He attacks Drake and Betty during an assault by Griselda's snake-like minions. Drake kills Asher while the snakemen claim Gord's life and capture Kirby. Nahuel is later killed by Jesup as he is buying time for the others to escape.

Nidawi was shot in the battle and remains behind, but Screaming Crow protects and heals her. Drake and Becky also part ways when Drake tries to lure Jesup away. Drake gets overpowered and Jesup gets all his guns, but Becky comes back. She gives Jesup the last of guns, knowing that Gord's research on how hers works will overwhelm Jesup. This opening allows Screaming Crow, now in Nidawi's body, to pull them out.

[Jake Kilroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, hell, things have gone from bad to worse—but they're not quite apocalyptic yet. Heck of a blowout/shootout. Love things spiraling en masse in what could be a sleepy western town called Brimstone if it weren't for the people filling the hills and saloon and what have you. Pretty radical backstory for the Grey Witch. How do you give cartoonish gravity to a wild tale about six weapons remaking the world? Add a sinister ritual, a big hole in the earth, and something underneath that absolutely sucks. Good grief and plenty of it. *pew pew pew!*

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything is going south. Becky is trying so hard to do the right thing and I love her for it. I think her reluctance to use the gun may be crucial later on. Drake has been the man Asher claims in terms of using people to achieve his ends, but he also has allies and seems to have reached a turning point in his life. Great stuff.

[Miguel Ángel Alonso Pulido · Rating 5 out of 5]

Como bien dicen en la sinopsis, el fin comienza aquí. Todas las tramas de los volúmenes anteriores comienzan a cerrarse con el ataque final de la Bruja Gris a Drake, Becky y compañía, y no todos sobrevivirán. Aunque parezca difícil, cada volumen es mejor que el anterior y este sigue en la línea ascendente. Deseando terminar con la saga.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sixth Gun continues to impress. The book is filled with emotions as characters deal with huge changes. The book shows that no character is safe and actions have consequences. The book introduces new menaces, one after another, and it doesn't seem like too much. The art by Brian Hurtt is still super impressive. Overall, another very good read.

[Geordie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tremendous improvement over the last two books, as we finally get some direction and some consequences. After maybe a 4 book down-slope, the villains finally seem scary again. There are some major changes, and even some deaths of likable characters.
Hoping the series continues in this way, and then concludes while the going is good.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 because the origin story for the Sixth Gun felt too Hellboy-derivative. That aside, a good installment as everything starts moving to a climax, cast members drop like flies and the end and rebirth of the world comes closer. Solid.

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conflict and a purging of the team worthy of Joss Whedon. Also, some back story on the Grey Witch.

[Jodhi Hoani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briiliant

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still rolling along. But just realized that I am running out of trades to read....is this series really coming to an end???? Say it ain’t so. Good trade!

[Paxton Holley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that the series is complete with issue #50, I'm doing a page 1 re-read of the series to the finish. Love this book so much.

[Doctor Action · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Not the best of the series but revealed some back story and was perfectly entertaining.

[Adrian Bloxham · Rating 4 out of 5]

More complications and horrors

[The Geeky Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some pretty big surprises in this installment. Great story and artwork as usual.

[Al Capwned · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best volume so far, with more revelations but also a bunch of very powerful scenes.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The closing issue is the strongest in the series so far.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am captivated by this series. I need to find out what happens next. Every time I think I know, I am surprised. Bunn has a lot of tricks that he keeps springing and I am enjoying every one.

[Baal Of · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddamn. This series is reaching a climax, and what a fucking thrill ride it is. This has definitely been my favorite volume so far. The artwork is gorgeous as usual, and I appreciate the page layouts, that really bring the story across, and serve the action sequences perfectly. I had been wavering on my enjoyment of this series on the last couple volumes, because none of the core characters were dying, even though they were in near constant peril, but that concern was addressed in spades, with multiple major characters deaths. Gord getting stabbed and then having his throat cut was brutal. I loved the way Griselda manipulated Asher to turn against Drake, especially since she so skilfully used half-truths to make her points, and the showdown between Asher and Drake was awesome. Speaking of Griselda, her background story was really cool, and it was nice getting to see her transition from child to snake/hybrid wyrm-priestess. There were lots of great gory scenes, like the snakes forcing out the eyeball of the revenant Missy Hume, and Jesup's face reforming after the fatal attack by Nahuel. Now I just hope that the authors wrap the story up, and don't try to drag it out too long.