I found a used copy of the 'Go West' TBP online and I was finally able to give it a read. Think 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' meets 'Mad Max' and you'll get the idea. Given it's a futuristic western, I thought I'd really love it, but I found it just ok.
-Some positives-
The artwork is quite good. I was very impressed with the visual storytelling and the gory parts were pretty great. Well done.
The pacing is breakneck. No time for much of anything else but Slade getting down to business. There's something to be said for keeping it simple and not getting convoluted. Revenge stories tend to be pretty straightforward and this one certainly is.
-Some negatives-
This may seem odd given my last point on keeping the story simple, but I felt it was entirely too short. At only 3 issues, I feel it should've been a bit more filled out. Characters have pasts that are hinted at, but not elaborated upon at all. I feel that a fourth issue with a bit more to chew on would've been perfect.
The ending. Look, I don't want to spoil anything for anyone that hasn't read it... but fuck it. Slade goes through all of that and he's NOT the one to get revenge on Creep?!? Dude. C'mon, man. That's revenge story 101. You don't give that kill away to another character! I was pissed.
Overall, I'd give Go West a 6 out of 10. The material is right in my wheelhouse, so it gets a pass right there. The art is fantastic and the brutality and gore was something to experience. While the story is fast paced, it feels very thin and for me, the ending left me dissatisfied.
That's it! Thanks for reading.
Good, thoughtful review. Haven’t read it in quite a while.
Agreed on all counts!