The time has come for Marvel Comics to celebrate its 80th anniversary in the comic book business, and the best way to celebrate a history of classic comics… is to bring them back for one last ride. In the case of the western GUNHAWKS, that ride looks to be a literal one.
Having already resurrected Marvel’s War is Hell comic book to give a new perspective on the classic World War II tales, it’s time for The Gunhawks to make their own triumphant return. But as our exclusive preview of GUNHAWKS #1 suggests, this won’t be another story starring Kid Cassidy and Reno Jones. But fear not, cowboy fans: the new lead “Sheriff” looks to be every bit as deadly with a six-shooter as the cowboy heroes of the original 1970s series.
Since the original comic starred a veteran of the Confederacy and his family’s slave (who also fought against the cruel Union soldiers who stole his lover), it’s probably for the best that GUNHAWKS not attempt to tell a literal remake of the source material. But from the first pages alone, David & Maria Lapham and Luca Pizzari show how closely this throwback comic will keep to the most beloved Westerns. Opening with what else? A murderous standoff over a seemingly-forgotten feud. At least… that’s what it seems to be.
Take a look at the preview pages embedded below:
The new GUNHAWKS is just one of several series pulled from Marvel’s history back into publication, all part of the publisher’s 80th anniversary celebration. The entire slate was first detailed during New York Comic Con, with WAR IS HELL the first to release alongside CRYPT OF SHADOWS, an homage to the horror comic books of the 1970s from Al Ewing and Garry Brown. Those issues were followed this week by Cullen Bunn, Clay Chapman, and Francesco Manna’s take on JOURNEY INTO UNKNOWN WORLDS, and its history of science-fiction storytelling. The trend will continue with releases like ZIGGY PIG AND SILLY SEAL, and LOVE ROMANCES.
The first preview pages are obviously concerned with hooking readers in classic western fashion–while also showing that the violence and bloodshed will be up to the standard of directors like Sam Peckinpah. To see how the pages that follow pay tribute, fans will need to pick up the full issue this Wednesday. Until then, read on for the full synopsis and details below:
- THE GUNHAWKS (2019) #1 Published: February 6th, 2019 Writer: David & Maria Lapham Art: Luca Pizzari Cover: Gerardo Zaffino For Marvel’s 80th anniversary we’ve set our sights on bringing some old titles back into the herd, and we’ve brought in Stray Bullets’ David & Maria Lapham for a bullet-riddled saga of violence, vengeance and Western justice. In the days of the Old West there were plenty of fearsome folk… cowboys, rustlers, lawmen and outlaws…but few were as fearsome as THE GUNHAWKS!
The Gunhawks #1 will be available on February 6th, from Marvel Comics.
