By Alex Batts — Machine Gun Wizards #4 (formerly Tommy Gun Wizards until a title after issue #3) is the bombastic conclusion to a new genre-melding comic series from the mind of writer/artist Christian Ward. This series marks Ward’s first foray into the writing side of comics, and my oh my what a wonderful debut it’s been. Ward is joined by Sami Kivela on art, with Dee Cunniffe and Ward on colors, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou providing the letters for the series.

This issue is the climax of everything that the series has been building to. Elliot Ness and his Untouchables are in dire straights as they desperately try to take down Chicago mob boss Al Capone. All of Capone’s dark forces, and the full breadth of his plan regarding the Lick (the illegal concoction that once consumed gives users magical abilities) have come to light. Each issue has seen the series careen further and further into the world of the fantastic, while still firmly keeping its footing in a gangster story set during the prohibition era in the Windy City.

This issue offers us that final cops vs gangsters showdown while at the same time leaping full force into the mythic. Kivela, Cunniffe, and Ward bring maybe the best art of the series yet in page after page of stunning displays of magic. The panel layouts are incredibly dynamic, Kivela’s strong sense of action keeps readers engaged in everything that’s happening, and the colors from Cunniffe and Ward are absolutely mesmerizing.

The series has continually peeled back layer after layer regarding the lore of its world, and here we see so many of those different ideas come to fruition. The full scope of what magic is capable of in this world is shown off in all its sensational vibrancy. The final showdown is all that you could want from a grand finale in comics, too. There’s suspense, explosions, death-defying heights, a spectacular setting, twists and turns galore, and a classic battle of good vs evil.

The character work here is also as strong as ever. Each individual maintains a strong sense of self, especially in the outlandish circumstances they find themselves in. Along with great characterization for some of the main cast, there are a few characters who still have an air of mystery around them and that sense of intrigue bolsters their depth and leaves you wanting more in the best way.

I’ve got to go back to the art again for a moment, because as phenomenal as Ward’s writing here is (and it really is great, I hope more than anything that we get to see this universe expanded soon), the art is something that is destined to linger with you. My mind continues to wander back to the immaculately crafted pages from Kivela and the tone-setting, eye-catching, and mind-melding colors by Cunniffe and Ward. If nothing else, this book is an absolute pleasure to look at. Thankfully, the writing is just as good.

Overall: Machine Gun Wizards #4 brings about the end of one of the best new series in comics. Seamlessly and perfectly blending genres while creating an enthralling new world with lively characters, incredible art, and fantastic writing. The conclusion is as great as the issues to come before, wraps things up in a satisfying manner, and leaves you wanting more and wondering what could come next. 10/10

Machine Gun Wizards #4
Writer: Christian Ward
Artist: Sami Kivela
Colorist: Dee Cunniffe
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99

Read more great comic book reviews here!

Alex Batts is from Texas. A lifelong comic book enthusiast and movie lover, if he’s not talking about comics, he’s probably not talking. You can find him on Twitter by following @BatmanFiles