Lead City #3

The third issue picks up right where the suspenseful cliffhanger left us. Cooper had a prime target in his sights from the balcony, but he hesitates and misses the opportunity. Mocked by the Indian hiding behind barrels nearby, they exchange gunfire, and the Indian is injured, limping away as Cooper swiftly descends with his pistol.

Meanwhile, in a dining hall, Big Man readies his ammunition just as the martial arts master enters. Their encounter erupts into a brutal and unpredictable fight. In another part of the scene, Cooper follows a trail of blood to a saloon where a dying fighter weakly taps away at a piano.

The success of this issue largely relies on the art team’s ability to deliver cinematic and captivating choreography, and they certainly deliver and exceed expectations. The fight scenes are intense and merciless. One particularly impressive scene showcases a martial arts master wielding a Sheng Biao against a muscle-bound adversary covered in scar tissue. The execution is truly magnificent. Even the lettering deserves recognition for skillfully incorporating sound effects, capturing the impact of gunshots and knives striking wood.

As the issue draws to a close, we are left with a parting gift, an unexpected thirst, and an intriguing two-for-one twist.