Kingsway West #1
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Mirko Colak
Colorist: Wil Quintana
Cover: Mirko Colak & Wil Quintana
Kingsway Law just wants to live out the rest of his days in peace after spending years as a soldier in a war over the mystical Red Gold. However, a man of his skills and reputation doesn’t fade away too easily especially after having a bounty placed on him by the Queen and being sought after by those he’s helped in the past.
This tale is a mix of the Old West, magic, and plenty of gunslinger action that Pak blends together quite seamlessly. He gives the landscape of 18th Century America a twist that has the Chinese Queen and Mexico at odds over the heavily mentioned Red Gold. There’s a glimpse of what only a small amount of this stuff can do so you understand that whoever controls the Red Gold controls the world. The main character, Kingsway Law, is one we are familiar with but Pak’s convincing world building makes wanting to know his backstory a little more compelling. The supporting characters that we do meet here aren’t given much backstory but there’s enough to move the story and keep them interesting.
Colak’s artwork along with Quintana’s colors do an excellent job in bringing Pak’s world to life. From the action sequences to character designs you get a realistic feel that’s just as gritty as what’s taking place in the panels. The look of the landscape is peppered with just enough strangeness to remind you this is not your classic Old West. From the dragons to huge bear-like creatures as well as the local foliage everything reminds you that there’s magic in those hills.
Kingsway West’s debut issue opens up a new world that is just too good to pass up. I don’t remember the last time I read a story about a Chinese gunslinger and I’m here for more comics that showcase other ethnicities in lead roles and kicking ass. So it’s definitely worth checking out and let’s hope it’s worth staying with as the story gains momentum.
Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net
