The people behind this comic book are clearly big fans of the EC horror anthology titles of the 1950s, as they attempt to replicate the same sort of feel in this collection of short stories unified by a western horror theme. The camp and kitsch of the book make it an entertaining read, but many of the stories are far too short, too predictable or too disjointed. There's a nice variety of creative talent to be found here. Most of new names to me, but there are several experienced creators contributing as well, the best known of which is Steve Niles, reigning master of horror in the world of comics at the moment. Western Tales of Horror is a nice diversion and a good change of pace from the typical super-hero fare that dominates the industry, but it's not exactly mind-blowing storytelling either.
A disfigured bank teller finds himself in over his head when he helps a gang of outlaws rob his employer, and he soon discovers his new boss is just as abusive as his old one... and far more willing to use violence. Hector Plasm roams the Old West, looking for the kind of supernatural trouble that your run-of-the-mill sheriff can't handle. A gunslinger who's killed 12 men picks the wrong town to visit. A man who saw his family killed tells his story and how he'll go to any lengths to get revenge. And a lonely woman awaits the moment when she'll be reunited with her lover, who was called away by the Civil War.
Several stories suffer from the same problem: they're too short. "13," "Quicksand" and the Hector Plasm story are over even before they begin. I realize that this is an anthology and space is limited, but there's just no time for tension to make its way into these stories. It's too bad, because there are some solid ideas at play here. Hector Plasm is really more of a cross between the western and supernatural super-hero genres as opposed to horror, but the concept is actually rather fun and offbeat. Of course, that should come as no surprise from the writer of Tales from the Bully Pulpit. Visually, it's inventive too; I love the sight of Hector drawing a gun from his mouth.
"The Deserter" boasts unconventional comic art that seems to draw heavily from photo reference, but the approach makes for some stiff characters. The narration is stiff and stilted as well, and the plotting is disjointed and unclear, failing in its attempt to foster an air of mystery and misery. Chuck (Secret Skull) BB's art on the opening story is sharp; I love the various designs for the gunslingers. Nick Stakal's angular is dark and effective as well, and it clearly draws some inspiration from Niles's frequent collaborator, Ben Templesmith.
The final story is the longest in the book, and it promises to continue into the second issue. I like the use of the weaker but educated bank teller as the story's unlikely hero. The problem with the story is that it doesn't seem to know what it's about. It's takes an awfully long time for any sort of supernatural element to find its way into the plot, and what the story's about keeps changing. The art is unclear during a key sequence later in the segment, involving some sort of ghostly tidal wave making its way through a cave. Still, the main character is one the reader can relate to; he hates his job and how everyone around him defines him by his physical flaws. 5/10
