DEADLY TALES OF THE GUNSLINGER #15 (IMAGE COMICS/TODD MCFARLANE PRODUCTIONS)

Captain Lane has shown his true colors and has created minions to due his bidding. What exactly is his bidding? Finding and killing the Gunslinger of course. But how do you kill one of the most dangerous guns in the Wild West?

Deadly Tales of the Gunslinger #15 – Written By Jimmy Palmiotti – Art By Patric Reynolds – Colors By Luis NCT & Juan Álvarez Fuente - Letters By Tom Orzechowski – Edited By Thomas Healy - Published By Image Comics/Todd McFarlane Productions

Credit: Image Comics/Todd McFarlane Productions

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

STORY OVERVIEW:

Captain Lane knows that the Gunslinger is coming for him, but he also knows that the Gunslinger doesn’t truly know who or what he is. He gathers some of his men and tells them they need to go on a scouting mission for him. Well they are on said mission, if they come across anyone, they need to take care of them. Then he gives them gifts in the form of crows going down their throats. Meanwhile, Gunslinger leaves his friends behind in the town to continue his journey. As he rides his horse out of town he encounters Lane’s men. As they see him, they attack, and it becomes clear to Gunslinger that these are not normal men. Will the Gunslinger figure out how to defeat these possessed men and continue on his way?

WRITING:

This issue of Deadly Tales of the Gunslinger delivers on several fronts by pushing the story deeper into horror, revenge, and supernatural Western territory. Jimmy Palmiotti builds the issue around a strong sense of threat, making Captain Lane feel dangerous before he even fully reveals what he is capable of. Lane is presented as someone who understands power, fear, and manipulation, and the way he sends his men out on a mission shows that he is not simply reacting to the Gunslinger—he is planning ahead. The scene with the crows is especially effective because it gives the issue a disturbing visual hook while also confirming that Lane is far more than a regular enemy with a grudge. By having the birds force their way into the men and transform them into something unnatural, Palmiotti raises the stakes and makes it clear that the Gunslinger is dealing with an opponent who can corrupt and control others.

The Gunslinger’s role in the issue is just as interesting because his own personality works against him. He has people willing to stand by his side, yet he still chooses to ride out alone, which says a lot about how he views himself and the world around him. That stubborn independence has always been part of his appeal, but here it also becomes a weakness. Once Lane’s possessed men attack, the story quickly shifts into a brutal and chaotic fight that reminds readers why the Gunslinger is so feared, while also showing that brute force may not be enough against this kind of enemy. The violence is graphic and intense, but it never feels random; it serves the story by showing how unnatural and relentless Lane’s followers have become. Palmiotti does a strong job balancing fast-moving action with small pieces of mystery, giving readers enough answers to understand the danger while still holding back enough about Lane’s true nature to keep the next issue exciting.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this issue is fantastic and does a strong job capturing both sides of the book’s identity: the dusty, dangerous atmosphere of the Old West and the darker supernatural horror that is slowly taking over the story. Patric Reynolds brings this world to life with detailed scenic backdrops that make the setting feel worn down, isolated, and unforgiving. The old western town has a lived-in quality, giving readers the sense that this is a place shaped by violence, fear, and survival. Those background details help immerse the reader in the time period, while also making the more unnatural elements stand out even more when they begin to appear.

Reynolds also delivers some excellent character work throughout the issue. The Gunslinger continues to have a striking presence on the page, with his design immediately separating him from everyone around him, but the real visual highlight comes from Captain Lane and the possessed men under his control. Lane looks intimidating without needing to be overdesigned, while his men have a twisted, corrupted quality that makes them feel wrong before the action even begins. Once the fight breaks out, Reynolds stages the violence with impact and clarity, making every blow, injury, and moment of carnage feel brutal. The sequence leaves very little to the imagination, but it fits the tone of the story and reinforces how dangerous Lane’s forces have become. The colors by Luis NCT and Juan Álvarez Fuente add even more energy to the pages, using strong contrasts and rich tones to pull the reader’s eye through each panel and make the supernatural elements feel even more intense.

CHECK OUT OUR INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW ROSENBERG

Final Thoughts:

Deadly Tales of the Gunslinger #15 is a fast-paced supernatural Western that blends intense action with strong dramatic tension. The standout fight scene delivers plenty of impact, but the issue also takes time to build the story and set up the conflict ahead. By the end, it leaves readers with a clear reason to come back for the next issue. If you have not started Deadly Tales of the Gunslinger yet, this issue is worth picking up at your LCS this week and jump on the bandwagon.

FINAL GRADE: 8.5/10

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