Advance Review: ‘The Enfield Gang Massacre’ #2 Is Not Your Typical Western
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
If you are a fan of action – particularly the Old West variety with shootouts in saloons – this is the book for you. It takes the traditional lawman vs. villain story and turns it on its head, which makes for a great read.
Overall
9/10No one is going to complain that there isn’t enough action in the latest chapter of The Enfield Gang Massacre.
Almost from the start, there’s a mythical shootout in a saloon that is resolved in an unconventional way. By the time you’re done with the issue, there’s shootings, a good old-fashioned thumping and even horse dragging. This is why the West was made!
Montgomery Enfield and his gang are wanted for a murder they didn’t commit – and they are being chased by a Texas ranger who is only too happy to run up the body count trying to bring them to justice. Ironically, it’s the lawmen who are the real villains here, putting a spin on the traditional Western.
But defying expectations is what makes this creative team – the same duo responsible for the excellent That Texas Blood – so good. Writer Chris Condon isn’t afraid to turn the notion of right and wrong on its head. Enfield will go down as a notorious murderer who got what he deserved in the violent Old West, but the truth is far more nuanced. That makes learning the real story behind the gang’s demise all the more interesting. It also forces us to question what we think we know about the past. After all, it’s the victors who write history.
But the star of this second installment in the limited series is Jacob Phillips and his artwork. His naturally pulpy style is a perfect fit for this kind of story. (And the traditional newsprint on which the series is printed only adds to the illusion.)
The saloon gunfight is the highlight of the issue, with a double-page spread that is straightforward but tells the story better than words could (though he does add plenty of “KABLAMs” across the top of the page to drive the gunfire home). Phillips’ choice of angle for his panels gives the story a cinematic quality as well.
It’s good to see that this team has used their time off from That Texas Blood so wisely to plot out this side series. They’ll get back to that story soon enough, but for now, we can enjoy what they have planned for us in the Old West.
The Enfield Gang Massacre #2 will be available for purchase on September 13, 2023.
