PopCultHQ received a preview copy of GO WEST #1 from Alterna Comics. Available now digitally, the creative team for this new series features writing from Garrett Gunn, art by Saint Yak and Sean Forney, and letters by Hde.
<Be sure to check out PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review of GO WEST #2>
Synopsis for GO WEST #1:
.
Writer: Garrett Gunn
Artists: Saint Yak, Sean Forney
Cover Artist: Saint Yak.When a group of outlaws murders Slade’s family, he embarks on a hell-bent mission of revenge. Slade vows to hunt down every member of The Savages and tear their entire organization to the ground. Even if it means he has to cross the border into the western regions to do it. Even if it means he has to Go West.
PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
GO WEST #1
~~~ Motoqua, Utah. June 14th, 2136. Forty years after the war. ~~~
I’m glad that Go West #1 was brought before me to review. I wasn’t familiar with Garrett Gunn’s writing but I’m always down to check out someone’s work. One thing that impressed me (which I think I subconsciously caught onto) was in reading the dialog, and especially in the captions, you got a sense that Gunn has an incredibly detailed (and perhaps lengthy) story in his mind and issue one is merely the outer layer being steadily peeled. The writing is intelligent and moving; the tale of seeking revenge for the murder of his wife and child and the passionate rage it can instill. Gunn puts a lot of thought and time into his words and does a terrific job in his story layout so far.
I’ve followed Saint Yak for a while now and I am always blown away by his intricate illustrations and detailed images. Coming into this review, once I heard Yak was on board, I instantly knew the art would be sharp and fitting to the material. Both Yak and illustrator Sean Forney team up to produce a dry, arid environment with an earthen feel for Arthur Slade (our protagonist) and they do so spectacularly. The illustrations in Go West #1 embody the Old West feel. The shading, the cross-hatching, the strong foregrounds with subtle and suitable background imagery. Where writer Gunn’s story sets the pace of the story, the art sets the tone and feel.
PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:
GO WEST #1 is a solid debut issue from top to bottom. Gunn has a unique story on his hands. A futuristic western depicting a land which could quite possibly be the destiny of America today. It’s The Outlaw Josey Wales meets Stephen King’s The Dark Tower. There is a lot of potential and possibilities and it’ll be interesting where Gunn takes us next. The artwork is just as pivotal to Go West as is the writing. If both stay on point and deliver each forthcoming issue, this will be a lasting series and a huge win for Alterna Comics.
PopCultHQ’s Rating:
4.5 out of 5 Stars
GO WEST #1 can be purchased now on ComiXology
Be sure to follow the creative team!
Writer – Garrett Gunn
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/garrett.gunn.5
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/SomeWriterGuy
Artist – Saint Yak
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/saintyak
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TheSaintYak
DeviantArt:
http://saintyak.deviantart.com/
Artist – Sean Forney
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/sean.forney.82
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/SeanForneyArt
DeviantArt:
https://t.co/8bkVcjTRxF
GO WEST:
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/GoWestGN
One response to “PopCultHQ Comic Book Review: ‘GO WEST’ #1 from Alterna Comics”