Written by Guest Contributor: Jordan North The final issue of To Hell You Ride is good, really good. Unfortunately it isn’t perfect and loses itself in some of the messages it’s trying to get across.
Seven George/ Two Dogs is pretty much a walking deity now as he makes his way across town to confront the evil Blackwash organization and end the curse of the four arrows once and for all. There was a weird feeling in this comic like it was a particularly dark epilogue rather than an epic finale. Many characters that we see here for the last time seem skimmed over in favor of focusing the spotlight on Seven George which is strange because at this point the character is pretty far from relatable. The death of Jim Shipps is also weirdly glossed over. I really liked that guy, so what the hell?
Top notch writing is back by Lance Henriksen and Joseph Maddrey who manages a ton of cool little bits of dialogue and plot. A section where Seven George describes the way he sees the world is a standout.
Art also is wonderful with the bleak landscape of Telluride contrasted with all of the bright coloring of the effects of the spirit world. Many angles are taken on in a masterful and enticing way. Tom Mandrake has done this before.
Some segments had me disjointed. A trickster? Okay. Why is that guy covered in logos like a living version of that one crappy iPhone game? Does he really need to be there? That and other parts here felt a tiny bit, “Native Americans am I right?”, outside of that though we get a satisfying conclusion as Seven George fulfills the ritual of the four arrows after undergoing a transformation that transforms him into a bonafide traditional member of his tribe. After which we literally watch everyone walk off into the sunset talking about what a standup guy he was.
Could the conclusion to what was truly a standout series have been a bit less disjointed? Sure thing, but at the end of the day this conclusion does not disappoint.
Score: 4/5
Writers: Lance Henriksen and Joseph Maddrey
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 7/17/13