"The Sixth Gun" first launched on Free Comic Book Day in 2010 and now, five years later, the supernatural western series published by Oni Press is nearing its final stretch. The story follows a collection of six guns, each possessing a magical power. In addition to the main series, written by Cullen Bunn and drawn by Brian Hurtt, three miniseries have explored the far reaches of the world and explained the backstories of supporting characters. The latest miniseries, "Valley of Death," goes even further back in the chronology of the world to give readers a deeper understanding of the Spirit World in preparation for the final arc of "The Sixth Gun."

Brian Hurtt has been involved with "The Sixth Gun" since its very beginning. He serves as regular series artist and has co-written two miniseries with Bunn. He is also the artist and co-creator of "The Damned,", another collaboration with Bunn published by Oni. With "Valley of Death" he's going solo, writing alone for the first time. Joining him as artist is "Sixth Gun" newcomer A.C. Zamudio, best know for "The Remains" from Monkeybrain Comics, another series written by Bunn.

CBR News spoke with both Hurtt and Zamudio about the miniseries, exploring the larger world of "The Sixth Gun," what dark inhabitants await, and their collaboration thus far.

CBR News: More than the other spinoff series, it looks like "Valley of Death" explores parts of the world we haven't seen at all in the main series. Where does this miniseries fit into the larger world of "The Sixth Gun?"

Brian Hurtt: While we had always intended for this series to fit in with the "Sixth Gun" main series, it was also our intent to use this series as a window into how big the universe of "The Sixth Gun" is. This story is, perhaps, just one step off of the path we've been on in the main series. But also, it's a very different kind of story with a very different kind of characters.

One of the joys, and frustrations, of doing "The Sixth Gun" is that we are constantly being introduced to a parade of colorful supporting characters. There is a main narrative -- a momentum -- to the story that doesn't allow us to stay and hang out with these people. In a way, all of the "Sixth Gun" miniseries have grown out of the desire to "hang out" with characters that Cullen and I find interesting and we want to know more about.In "Days of the Dead" it was Roberto, Jesup, and Abigail. In "Valley of Death" it's some of the shamans -- specifically, White Wolf -- who we were introduced to in the "Ghost Dance" arc of the main series.

From a strictly plot point of view, this story ties into some of the story elements introduced in "Days of the Dead." In particular, the aftermath of the first time the God of Death, Yum Kimil, crossed over into our world.

But the real interest for me was to delve deeper into the way the Native Tribes relate to the magic and world that we've created in "The Sixth Gun."I wanted to show that there have been epic struggles with evil in this world that are not tied to "The Six," and they happened long before Becky and Drake came onto the scene.I also wanted to show an origin story, of sorts, for the grizzled, blind, one-armed shaman known as White Wolf.

A.C. Zamudio: "The Sixth Gun" passes through an extremely expansive world with a rich cast of supporting characters whom are often highly mysterious and beg for their own stories to be told. Really, the charm of the miniseries is that we get the opportunity to learn more about these people and see what struggles they've gone through that have drawn them into the main story. Of all the many supporting characters to elaborate on, I think "Valley of Death" centers around the most elusive group, Kalfu included. They're the mystics. They're characters with a lot of wisdom about this massive world and they have a lot to say, but impart only a little to Becky and Drake. So this miniseries is not only a window into their story, but it's a window into the inner workings of the world of "The Sixth Gun" in general.


"Valley of Death" explores supernatural elements and the mythology of the world, and it looks like a lot of that comes through a Native American tribe. How much of the magic and lore is influenced by Native American mythology?

Zamudio: I'll leave that one to Brian. The tribes themselves are completely fictional, although they retain elements of actual Native American tribes. It was similar in the design process.

Hurtt: To be honest, I'd say that only some of it is directly influenced by Native American mythology.

One of the ideas Cullen had introduced (in issue #1 of "The Sixth Gun") was that buzzards carried the secrets of the dead with them. I know that the buzzard is associated with Death in many Native American tribes (though, not all) but, I'm not sure how much of that came from Cullen and how much came from outside influences.All I know is that I thought that was a cool idea, so I decided to run with it and expand upon it through one of the main characters in this story.

The shamans, at various stages, refer to a supreme being or a Great Creator/Great Spirit but, in most other things, I keep it intentionally vague. Part of that is because, in our story, we are following a group comprised of several different tribes. All fictional, and all who would have had varying belief systems. So, I ended up doing some research on Native American myths and spirituality and then trying to infuse a kind of "essence" of that into my characters.

Also, by not trying to stick to a belief system of any one tribe (of which there are hundreds), I was able to allow one of our main characters tell a creation story to her traveling companions that fit into the mythology of the "Sixth Gun" universe.

The last issue of the "Hell and High Water" arc came out in March, and the next, "Boot Hill," will be the last of the main series. What makes now the right time for "Valley of Death?"

Hurtt: I think "Valley of Death" is kind of a thematic predecessor to the finale.This tale deals with a threat to all of creation, as does "The Sixth Gun," but more importantly, it's setting up the Spirit World. We haven't explored or explained too much of this in the main series but -- and I don't think this is a spoiler -- a majority of the final arc of "Sixth Gun" takes place there. We've alluded to the Spirit World throughout the series and we've met creatures that've crossed over from there (like Marionette of the Dry Arms, the Wendigo, and Yum Kimil), but we haven't seen much of it.And we've understood even less. This series will answer some questions for readers about the Spirit World while, hopefully, whetting their appetites for further exploring this world.

Zamudio: There are several factors that make this the right time. There are characters we've only just gotten to see the true nature of, like Screaming Crow and Kalfu, whose history we haven't yet learned. Now's the time. Right before the world ends, I think it's appropriate to have this journey that explains some of how the world was. Also, come on, it's always a good time for more Kalfu.

A.C., this is the first "Sixth Gun" book that you've worked on. How did you get involved in this project? What did you do to make sure this book fits into the larger world?

Zamudio: I actually worked with Cullen Bunn previously on "The Remains" from Monkeybrain Comics, and had a wonderful experience working with him. From the start, he made it clear that he'd want to find more than one project for me to work on, and, as a huge fan of "The Sixth Gun," I was all in. Of course, he and Brian share a lot with each other, so they both liked my work on that book and quickly approached me together about letting me tackle this miniseries. It's a dream come true for me both as a new artist and as their fan. Although I have to say, it's rather daunting approaching a miniseries written by the guy who draws the main series! You wouldn't guess this is his first solo writing gig, either. Brian knows his stuff, but he's too humble to admit it. I'm honored that the guys entrusted me with this story.

"Valley of Death" takes place several decades ago when the Native American elders were in their primes, so my contribution to the main story is most apparent in that I designed White Wolf and Screaming Crow at that age. Really, we haven't gotten a good look at Screaming Crow before; we've only known him until now as basically a bodiless entity, and I got to personify him. These characters are silent, or masked, or even dead in the current timeline, but I've gotten to show who they once were and what they were all about.

Brian, you've been the artist on the main "Sixth Gun" series from the beginning, and co-written a few of the spinoffs with Cullen, but this is the first one that you have solo writer credit on. What has that been like?

Hurtt: Pretty great, really! I've done a lot of writing on the other miniseries but this is the first time I've been let completely off the leash, as it were.It has definitely been a great learning experience!I'm very happy with how it turned out, but I've also learned so many things about pacing, character development, and finding my voice.I know it sounds crazy, but it's been super exciting to see how much I have to learn! I think that's the case in any creative endeavor, but the experience has been invigorating and energized the other aspects of my work.I can't wait to write more -- to learn more!

I have to also give A.C. the greatest "thank you" for being the best kind of storytelling partner a novice writer could have. She was able to make sense of, and elevate, the story through her amazing visual storytelling skills and, in turn, make me look better for it.Or better yet, helped to make a story that is greater than the sum of its parts.

"The Sixth Gun: Valley of Death" #1 is on sale now.