JIM MAIN/VERL BOND'S THE ADVENTURES OF CLAY HITCHENS #2

The Adventures of Clay Hitchens, written by Jim Main and illustrated by Verl Holt Bond (with color enhancements by Bob Sodaro and title-design by Marc Haines), has catapulted me into cowboy heaven. I assumed the second issue would be as good as the first, but better? Aw-shucks, come on ...

Thanks, in particular, to Jim Main's "Baptism of Fire," this 36-page submission is one of those rare, superior sequels, with even better dialogue, lusher imagery and deeper, bounty-hunter reflection (as Hitchens relays his escapades to the mindful J.B. Sweetwater). It hooks one from start to finish, all anchored by the fabled yet credible town of Miller Falls.

For this fiery chapter, Main throws the spotlight on Hitchens' bout with the bank-robbing, LeGrange Gang. This leads Hitchens and Sheriff Baker to form a posse to snare the double-dealing antagonists, though in full, High Noon fashion, the Black Stallion patrons snub the offer. But fear not, for the lawmen do come to enlist a couple brave souls to comprise a Rio Bravo-styled ensemble. From there, a showdown with the gang escalates with unremitting tension. 

The plot also holds a crafty ploy involving a glib "salesman," and the brawny Isiah Hammer steals the show several times throughout. (I believe he's my favorite in this issue's guest-starring roster.)

The door is wide open for another exciting exploit and many more after that. I sure hope Issue #3 gallops forth soon, and if J.B. Sweetwater's reunion with a fetching lass is any indication, the rollicking best is yet to come! Yee-haw!

BTW: As added treats, The Adventures of Clay Hitchens #2 contains "Hitchens' Posts," where readers share their views on the blossoming saga, as well as an episode of Main Enterprises' eerie Boot Hill, hosted by the crusty Gunslinger, as rendered by the super-artistic John Lambert, in a Faustian, poker-game chiller that's bound to get under one's skin in the most entertaining way.

For those itchin' for a copy of The Adventures of Clay Hitchens #2, please send Mr. Main $5.50 via Paypal, at jmain44@aol.com. (This includes U.S. postage only.) And be certain to list your email and physical address when placing your order to ensure that this fine issue gets to you without any snags. 

JIM MAIN/VERL BOND: THE ADVENTURES OF CLAY HITCHENS

Publisher/author Jim Main brings us a bold, new western/bounty-hunter hero in The Adventures of Clay Hitchens #1. 

Main's storytelling is tight, gritty and virile, and Verl Holt Bond's illustrations create an atmosphere that embellishes the contents with fiery thrust, as does Robert J. Sodaro and Marc Haines' pleasing layout. 

For the record, The Adventures of Clay Hitchens #1 is a curation of chapters featured in Main Enterprises' *PPFSZT! #48-#50. As individual entries, these submissions proved absorbing, but as part of a seamless, 28-page flow, they truly grab one by the throat and don't let go!

For the sake of the compilation, we learn Hitchens' background, how he was raised on a farm and then joined the militia, but above all, we come to appreciate his caring nature and skill with a gun. This makes him a man to respect and admire within the tumultuous landscape he roams. 

The Adventures of Clay Hitchens is reminiscent of western comics of the past, but it also captures the introspective flavor of such television series as Wanted: Dead or Alive, The Rifleman, Have Gun - Will Travel, The Rebel, The Loner and Tate. In other words, Hitchen's story detonates with depth, forging a continuing mythology that's superior to what most contemporary comics offer, no matter the genre.  

I tip my hat to Main and Bond for pulling this one off and encourage them to get crackin' on #2. The more we see of Clay Hitchens, the better!

To purchase a within-the-U.S. copy of The Adventures of Clay Hitchens, send $4.50 via Paypal to Jim Main at jmain23@gmail.com. (Please include your email and physical address when doing so. A hardcopy of the issue will be mailed to you first-class, with a PDF arriving in advance.)