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The Sixth Gun #8.1
The Sixth Gun: Dust to Death
Two tales of The Sixth Gun! Two visions of the wild and weird west! Two stories of shamans, the Spirit World, magic pistols, and bounty hunters! Two quests that shape the lives of the heroes and villains of the greatest Old West Fantasy of all time! First, the reclusive witch Buzzard Wife gathers a Hunting Party for a treacherous journey into the fabled Valley of Death. Then, we follow Billjohn O'Henry on a heartbreaking adventure to save his beloved daughter. From the House of Death to a Wild West Medicine Show, these yarns take aim on heretofore unexplored realms of The Sixth Gun!
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2015
4 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Cullen Bunn
2,101 books1,058 followersCullen 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 6, 2017
Dust to Death is the last Sixth Gun spinoff, comprising two three-issue arcs: Dust to Dust and Valley of Death. The first is good, the other is absolute drivel!
Cullen Bunn writes Dust to Dust, the backstory to Billjohn O’Henry. Billjohn’s working as a bounty hunter, trying to find a cure for his sick daughter before he discovers a possible magical fix. I guess the ill child angle is a bit clichéd but the story’s solid and effortlessly held my attention so I didn’t mind. Watching Billjohn work and then chase after a troupe of snake oil salesmen was entertaining as hell and the story is very well-written. It’s also nicely drawn by Tyler Crook and I especially liked the single panel watercolour visions of the future, foreshadowing/reminding the reader of Billjohn’s tragic fate in the main Sixth Gun title.
The second and final story, Valley of Death, is a travesty! Brian Hurtt is yet another example of an artist trying and failing to be a writer. You can tell a bad writer when the pages are clogged up with tons of writing, none of which tells you anything and still leaves you unclear as to what the story is, who the characters are, and why anything is happening. There are Native Americans, demons, monsters – who knows what it’s about? It’s a total mess! A. C. Zamudio’s art though is excellent with some very striking visuals. Hurtt needs to study good comics writing, the kind his Sixth Gun co-creator Cullen Bunn often produces, to see how it’s done properly. The Lil’ Sixth Gun backups, featuring chibi versions of the characters, are cute but forgettable.
Dust to Death is worth checking out if you’re a Sixth Gun fan but only for the Billjohn story and the strong art throughout – avoid reading the incompetently-written Valley of Death and just enjoy the pitchers in that one instead!
Cullen Bunn writes Dust to Dust, the backstory to Billjohn O’Henry. Billjohn’s working as a bounty hunter, trying to find a cure for his sick daughter before he discovers a possible magical fix. I guess the ill child angle is a bit clichéd but the story’s solid and effortlessly held my attention so I didn’t mind. Watching Billjohn work and then chase after a troupe of snake oil salesmen was entertaining as hell and the story is very well-written. It’s also nicely drawn by Tyler Crook and I especially liked the single panel watercolour visions of the future, foreshadowing/reminding the reader of Billjohn’s tragic fate in the main Sixth Gun title.
The second and final story, Valley of Death, is a travesty! Brian Hurtt is yet another example of an artist trying and failing to be a writer. You can tell a bad writer when the pages are clogged up with tons of writing, none of which tells you anything and still leaves you unclear as to what the story is, who the characters are, and why anything is happening. There are Native Americans, demons, monsters – who knows what it’s about? It’s a total mess! A. C. Zamudio’s art though is excellent with some very striking visuals. Hurtt needs to study good comics writing, the kind his Sixth Gun co-creator Cullen Bunn often produces, to see how it’s done properly. The Lil’ Sixth Gun backups, featuring chibi versions of the characters, are cute but forgettable.
Dust to Death is worth checking out if you’re a Sixth Gun fan but only for the Billjohn story and the strong art throughout – avoid reading the incompetently-written Valley of Death and just enjoy the pitchers in that one instead!
February 26, 2016
Actually two totally separate stories. The first story is fine, but I could have done without it. The second story, though, is actually quite good. It's Billjohn before his death, trying to save the life of his daughter. Probably entirely unnecessary in the greater scheme of themes, but told very effectively. This story, at least, is well worth reading.
September 2, 2021
(4 of 5 for the final, two-story expansion)
The first part, the longer one, is about Kaifu and Indian tribes and we meet the Screaming Crow. Hurtt changes artist chair for the writer's one and Zamundo takes the art. Well, it lacks Bunn's skill to get the reader even into the most simple plot, so sometimes it gets a bit boring and wordy. On the other hand, Zamundo's art is more in my liking for this series. Thus this otherworldly adventure is cool more in art than in storytelling.
The second part is one which I looked for. Bunn takes the pen and Crook the pencil. This is the kind of art I would love to see the Sixth Gun series clothed in. More ominous but not necessary dark. The one which brings out the great horror energy of the story. But I can't have the thing just right, can I? Because the colouring, too colourful, saturated and plain just took it the opposite direction. Oh boy. But still, the story is good, heartbreaking and sad meeting Billjohn.
The first part, the longer one, is about Kaifu and Indian tribes and we meet the Screaming Crow. Hurtt changes artist chair for the writer's one and Zamundo takes the art. Well, it lacks Bunn's skill to get the reader even into the most simple plot, so sometimes it gets a bit boring and wordy. On the other hand, Zamundo's art is more in my liking for this series. Thus this otherworldly adventure is cool more in art than in storytelling.
The second part is one which I looked for. Bunn takes the pen and Crook the pencil. This is the kind of art I would love to see the Sixth Gun series clothed in. More ominous but not necessary dark. The one which brings out the great horror energy of the story. But I can't have the thing just right, can I? Because the colouring, too colourful, saturated and plain just took it the opposite direction. Oh boy. But still, the story is good, heartbreaking and sad meeting Billjohn.
April 15, 2016
2 stars
This volume contains two stories: Valley of Death and Dust to Dust. Dust to Dust was quite fast-paced and interesting (I would give it 3.5 stars), while I couldn't bring myself to read Valley of Death which I found very boring.
This volume contains two stories: Valley of Death and Dust to Dust. Dust to Dust was quite fast-paced and interesting (I would give it 3.5 stars), while I couldn't bring myself to read Valley of Death which I found very boring.
September 12, 2016
If I could, I'd give this 3.5 stars. That would be an average of 3 for the first story ("Valley of Death") and 4 for the second ("Dust to Dust")
January 24, 2019
These Sixth Gun mini series are hit or miss.
December 31, 2017
Two spin offs from the main story line. That give you further back stories on secondary characters. Both are interesting in their own right, but again they were only secondary characters to begin with.
"Valley of Death" - tells of the coming chaos, long before the main story even starts. From the view point of the Native American shamans and warriors. It gives backstory to the shrunken head talisman of Screaming Crow"
"Dust to Death" - tells the backstory of Drake's partner BillyJohn and how he struggled to heal his little girl, but in failing that forms a rigid form of gallantry that we've seen throughout the series even after he is killed with one of the six.
Worth the read for diehard fans, otherwise the main plot is fine without it.
"Valley of Death" - tells of the coming chaos, long before the main story even starts. From the view point of the Native American shamans and warriors. It gives backstory to the shrunken head talisman of Screaming Crow"
"Dust to Death" - tells the backstory of Drake's partner BillyJohn and how he struggled to heal his little girl, but in failing that forms a rigid form of gallantry that we've seen throughout the series even after he is killed with one of the six.
Worth the read for diehard fans, otherwise the main plot is fine without it.
April 15, 2024
This collection of two stories from the Sixth Gun world by creators Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt is a decent pair of stories into some side characters. First we get to see Screaming Crow deal with demons aplenty in The Valley Of Death. Then we get to see Billjohn's sad origins. The second story is definitely worth your time. Billjohn's willing to do anything to save his ill daughter Sally. It was moving. The Screaming Crow story was a little convoluted and overly complicated. I enjoyed the supernatural aspects but I got lost as to what was happening. The art was very good throughout. Overall, a decent read but maybe not necessary.
July 25, 2024
While I love this series, these two miniseries are completely skippable. Brian Hurtt writes instead of draws Valley of Death and as a writer he makes a great artist. There are so many words and they say nothing. It's all just kind of a mess and a waste of time. Something about some Native American tribes that are trying to close a Crossroads and they are stuck on Death's side of the divide.
Dust to Dust was better. It gives Billjohn's backstory before the main series started. He's struggling to find a way to save his sick daughter. I prefer Crook's art here over Zumudio's along with Bill Crabtree's coloring. Still though it doesn't add a whole lot.
Dust to Dust was better. It gives Billjohn's backstory before the main series started. He's struggling to find a way to save his sick daughter. I prefer Crook's art here over Zumudio's along with Bill Crabtree's coloring. Still though it doesn't add a whole lot.
February 10, 2019
I saw that it was recommended to read these side stories before the finale. Unfortunately it's possible I misunderstood and should have read these before. I basically read them in published order but the problem with these side stories is that they take a lot of oompf out of the final buildup before conclusion. These can really be read just about any time after vol 6 or 7 and it's just a shame that I've read some of the weakest volumes and it's taken a bit of motivation out of reading the end. Almost forget what was happening.
June 27, 2017
READING THE SERIES, GOOD LOW/MEDIUM FANTASY WESTERN. LIKABLE CHARACTERS THAT GROW ON YOU AND BECOME DEEPER. SEVERAL GOOD TWISTS AND TURNS IN THE STORY. I LIKE THE SETTING, MORE THAN JUST A WESTARN, AS IF ALL THE WIVE'S TALES AND STORIES WERE TRUE. AND ALL THE PROBLEMS THEREIN. GRITTY AND INTERESTING, AND WITH AN ART STYLE TO MATCH.
February 13, 2023
3.5/5
Volumen que recoge dos spin offs (miniseries derivadas) con historias previas de alguno de los personajes "secundarios" de la trama principal.
Especialmente emotiva es la segunda, con BillJohn como protagonista de una búsqueda a vida o muerte.
Interesante.
Volumen que recoge dos spin offs (miniseries derivadas) con historias previas de alguno de los personajes "secundarios" de la trama principal.
Especialmente emotiva es la segunda, con BillJohn como protagonista de una búsqueda a vida o muerte.
Interesante.
June 10, 2025
Two stories arcs tangential to the main plot are collected here, only one is worth reading.
The first - 'Valley of Death' - is over-written, dripping in mystic mumbo jumbo, and contains no gun.
The second - Dust to Dust - is the finest piece of writing in the entire series to this point.
The first - 'Valley of Death' - is over-written, dripping in mystic mumbo jumbo, and contains no gun.
The second - Dust to Dust - is the finest piece of writing in the entire series to this point.
July 26, 2017
Solid backstories for some of our favorite characters. Good stuff.
October 18, 2018
3.5. Backstory on some of the secondary characters. I found myself trying to figure a timeline for all these mini histories there have been in the series.
June 10, 2021
As usual, spin-offs are hit or miss. Littlejohn's story Dust to Dust was good enough, but Valley of Death was a bore.
October 6, 2021
The Billjohn story is actually quite good but unfortunately the first story in this collection is just plain boring.
September 26, 2023
This spin-off contains two stories. One is great, the other one...not so much.
October 20, 2016
Two stories that didn't really have to be told. The first story concerns a witch, Buzzard Woman, who has seen in a vision that a doorway exists between the world of death and our world that has been opened and needs to be closed. To that end, she summons a group of warriors to help her in this task. I enjoyed this story for the most part, although some of the action sequences were a little confusing in the way that they were drawn. I also thought that whole method of the world doorway being closed was more drawn out than necessary.
The second story, about Billjohn O'Henry's attempts to save his sick daughter, didn't do that much for me. Billjohn's character had always been kind of interesting but given him a by-the-numbers sick daughter that he's trying to save kind of let the air out of the balloon in terms of interest. Instead of giving him an interesting past, they just gave him a tearjerker of a background story. The tale doesn't really go anywhere and seemed like kind of a waste.
The second story, about Billjohn O'Henry's attempts to save his sick daughter, didn't do that much for me. Billjohn's character had always been kind of interesting but given him a by-the-numbers sick daughter that he's trying to save kind of let the air out of the balloon in terms of interest. Instead of giving him an interesting past, they just gave him a tearjerker of a background story. The tale doesn't really go anywhere and seemed like kind of a waste.
February 26, 2016
I liked the Sixth Gun: Dust to Dust storyline. I didn't care for the other one titled Valley of Death.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
November 17, 2016
Valley of Death = 2.75
Dust to Dust = 4.25
Dust to Dust = 4.25
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews