One of my all-time favorite series reached its epic finale this week. Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurt, and Bill Crabtree gave us all a triple-sized final issue that was extremely satisfying. As Drake and Becky journey in the land of the dead with Billjohn leading the way, it becomes clear that the team is going to have to make it through one final battle if they wish to succeed. The depth of characters that Bunn created is nothing short of magical and the journey that they embark on is one for the ages. I loved learning about Drakes sordid past and watching the tremendous growth that Becky had throughout this series. I hope that one day my daughter can aspire to be as strong and fearless as the great Becky Montcrief. The conclusion of this story was fitting, surprising, and emotional.
I want to take this time to thank Mr. Bunn for sharing his gift and this story with us all. It ranks in my top 5 series of all-time and I am glad to see him end it on his own terms. I hope that we revisit this world as we have in some of the spin-offs, but I am content for now. Instead of our usual recap of comics, in honor of The Sixth Gun, I thought I would share my top 5 moments from the series in no particular order.
[Spoilers Below]
The Story of Griselda and the Wyrms - Issue #41 - Bunn does a masterful job actually humanizing someone as vile as Griselda. In this issue we learn that she was once a human child and the events that changed her to Griselda the Grey are quite troubling. Griselda was tossed into a pit as a child to appease an ancient darkness. She was sacrificed for the good of her people, but when she arrived at the bottom of the pit she could understand the terror that dwelled below. The Great Wyrms saw her as a sister, taught her about the six, and used her in attempt to return to their full glory. This was a chilling issue, and one that set up an epic moment in the finale that just barely missed this list.
The issue without dialog or sound effects - Issue #21 - I am a sucker for a good action movie and as I poured through the pages of this issue, watching Becky rescue Drake from the Knights of Solomon, it felt like I was at the movies enjoying an amazing sequence from a summer blockbuster. Through the immense creative talent of Bunn, Hurt, and Crabtree, this issue remains one of my all-time favorite issues of any series despite the fact that not one word is uttered. Hurt was really able to flex his artistic chops as I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I wish more comics took risks like this.
Becky wakes up from her Ghost Dance - Issue #35 - In an effort to save her own life, Becky embarks on a Ghost Dance in the world of the spirits. She sees different versions of the six throughout time and different versions of Drake. Not only was it fascinating to learn more about the history of the six, in the conclusion of this thrilling arc, she sees a world that resembles how she might remake it. Her father is alive, she is a married to Kirby Hale and the mother to their children. Confronted by the version of her in this world, she learns that she cannot use the six for her own desires. This finally brings her back from her Ghost Dance and this is another defining moment of the growth of Becky as a strong character. The epilogue in which Griselda kills Missy Hume is equally as stunning and is the icing on the cake for this arc.
There are many other moments that just missed the list and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the sale on ComiXology to purchase every issues in this series. Thanks again to Cullen Bunn for sharing his creative genius with the world. I am a bit saddened to see this series come to an end, but look forward to what else you have in store for us.
POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.