Review - Dead Acre: Black Badge #1
From Vault Comics
A horror-western series beginning this week from Vault Comics, with Dead Acre: Black Badge #1 based on the hit series.
Life isn’t simple for a Demon Hunter.
James Crowley met his mortal end in a hail of gunfire. Now, he finds himself in purgatory, serving the White Throne to avoid falling to Hell. Not quite undead, though not alive either, the best he can hope for is to work off his servitude and fade away.
His not-so-sacred duty as a Hand of God? Use his new abilities to hunt down demonic beings that have infiltrated the mortal realm. This time, the White Throne has sent him to the middle of nowhere: a western town called Dead Acre.
Cullen Bunn and Riley Brown adapt USA Today Bestseller Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle’s smash-hit #1 Audible Bestseller, the first book in the Black Badge series.
Creators & Story: Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle
Script: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Riley Brown
Colorist: Fares Maese
Letterer: Andworld Design
Cover Art: Riley Brown
This issue does exactly what you want from the opening chapter of a new series. It introduces the world, establishes the main character, lays out the central mystery, and still finds time to deliver plenty of action and intrigue along the way. By the time I reached the final page, I was already invested in both James Crowley and the dark secrets lurking within Dead Acre.
Crowley immediately comes across as a compelling protagonist. The revelation that he has already died and been brought back with a new purpose gives him an interesting edge from the outset. He’s not simply another gunslinger riding into town looking for trouble; he’s a man with a supernatural mission, tasked with hunting demons and setting wrongs right wherever he finds them. There is a sense that he carries a heavy burden, and while we only get glimpses of his past and his new role, it is enough to make you want to learn more about him.
As Crowley arrives in Dead Acre, the atmosphere shifts quickly. Something clearly isn’t right in the town, and the creative team does a great job of building that feeling of unease. The mystery surrounding the disturbed graves and the missing townsfolk immediately raises questions, while the locals’ reluctance to talk creates an added layer of tension. There is an almost classic Western feeling to it all, with an outsider arriving in a close-knit community that would rather keep its secrets buried.
Of course, not everyone is content to stay silent. Beneath the suspicion and hostility are people genuinely worried about what has happened, and Crowley finds himself drawn into helping them. That balance between supernatural horror and human drama works particularly well here. The missing people and desecrated graves are frightening enough on their own, but the possibility that something far darker is responsible elevates the threat considerably.
The pacing is another strength. While this issue spends time establishing the setting and mystery, it never feels slow. There is always something happening, whether it is Crowley gathering information, tensions rising among the townsfolk, or fists flying in a wonderfully entertaining saloon brawl. No Western feels complete without a good bar fight, and this one delivers exactly the kind of rough-and-tumble action you would hope for. It also serves as another opportunity to showcase Crowley’s abilities and personality.
Visually, the book captures the tone perfectly. The artwork embraces the grit and dust of the Western setting while also leaning into the darker supernatural elements. The action scenes have plenty of impact, and the roughness of the environment helps make Dead Acre feel like a real place with a troubled history. The supernatural moments are especially effective, standing out without feeling out of place. Small touches such as the glowing eyes and eerie visual cues hint that forces beyond human understanding are at work.
The final pages provide a particularly strong hook. The mysterious vision in the mirror and the continued hints surrounding the town’s secrets leave plenty of unanswered questions, ensuring that readers will want to return for the next chapter. It teases just enough of the bigger picture without giving away too much, which is exactly what a first issue should do.
Overall, Dead Acre: Black Badge #1 is a strong opening that successfully blends Western action, supernatural horror, and mystery. With an intriguing lead character, a town full of secrets, and hints of something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface, it lays the foundations for what could be a very entertaining series. Gritty artwork, fun action, and a compelling core mystery all combine to make this a debut issue that sticks with you.
