Indeed there are dark secrets down here
Picking up where the last issue left off, the relationship and history regarding Becky and her adopted father gets a little bit more closure. All in all, the character heroine has come a long way from being completely dumfounded by her fathers murder to obtain the sixth gun and thrown into this story of Old Western mysticism. More is seen on Gord's side as he explores the catacombs of the mansion and subsequently, his own past.
One of the nice things about this issue is that it takes a few different positions in its place along the over-arching story. On one hand, it's a bit of a breather like issue 15, from attacking zombies, train rides, giant mummies, suave gunslingers and the active pursuit of the five remaining guns by the sometimes nauseatingly creepy, Missy Hume. On the other hand its a great deal of information to process because back-story is suggested and not fully legitimized or explained, so the reader will really have to work hard to try and piece some of this together. Unfortunately that is also the most frustrating thing about this issue this issue. Just enough visual backstory is given about Gord's relationship the the General and his wench-woman that it is unclear how the connection developed. Gord's part in this book is really a bit of overload as it is hard to take it all in and guess what his discoveries or previous knowledge will do to the remainder of the story.
Becky's time with the Sword of Abraham also grabs for more questions than there are answers. Her father has warned her of her new saviors motives and tells her she can only trust herself. She is trapped, alone, and may not even be able to trust Drake Sinclair, wherever he is roaming around at this very moment.
The art in this issue is very up close and personal in contrast to the very well detailed and colored scenery and background the last few issues provided. There are a good deal of emoted expressions on both Becky and her fathers face's in their astral projected conversation and the transitions work very well to stress that they are not in the same plane of existence or time period. Sort of like a video will, honestly. Something I often harp on an old-Western comic to do is the overuse of shadow but it is utilized nicely in this chapter. it makes the experience of the reader personal and puts you right behind Gord while he relives perhaps the most painful moment in his past. I say perhaps because who knows at this point what else this guy can muster up. He is being followed by Nosferatu with a mustache and a candelabra. The shadow use in this issue sort of represents the attributes that are still in the dark to readers.
I had a chance to speak with Cullen Bunn at NYCC this past October and he informed me that there is a clear goal and endgame to this story that will be in the ballpark of 50 issues. The team on this book are true masters of their craft as the story continues to unfold rather than expand upon. Overall this issue was very enjoyable, sometimes it's just frustrating to wait another month for answers.
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