A Nice Ending to a Fun Series
Billy the Kid (yes that Billy the Kid) is determined to stop Jack the Ripper. This is the final issue, will it be the end for Billy as well?
The Good
From the mind of Eric Powell...saying that should tell you all you need to know. Throughout this miniseries, we've seen Billy the Kid on the trail of Jack the Ripper. The idea that Billy survived his encounter with Pat Garrett works here. Throw in some zany and monstrous characters from Eric Powell and this is more than just another post-western tale. The conclusion to the story makes perfect sense for all the characters involved.The art by Kyle Hotz combied with Dan Brown's colors adds a style to the story that adds a little more life to the characters. Despite some of the bizarre situations and characters, the story doesn't feel like a simple two-dimensional comic book. The use of shadows also adds to the element and helps set the mood.
The Goon backup story by Powell and Dave Stewart continues to serve as a major added bonus that should bring a smile to your face. Goon and Franky have faced many different creatures and monsters but what happens when they stand before an actual supervillain? The commentary on superhero comics is priceless.
The Bad
The series is over. Billy the Kid's story was satisfying and will work well as a collected trade but I'm not sure how soon I'd feel the need to read it again. Often I found myself enjoying the Goon backups more than the main story.The Verdict
Obviously if you haven't read the first three issues, this is a horrible starting point. Eric Powell always manages to create a crazy and interesting world with each story he crafts. Nothing against Kyle Hotz's art but it would have been amazing to see Powell's art on the Billy the Kid story. The backup stories with the Goon and Franky are priceless. This final issue gives a satisfying and fitting ending to the story and the series succeeded in provided a different kind of comic book entertainment.Here's the preview pages for the issue:
