AIN’T NO GRAVE #5 – New Comic Review

AIN’T NO GRAVE #5, by Image Comics on 9/11/24, brings the Old West fantasy to a close when Ryder finally confronts Death for a shot at more time.

Credits:

• Writer: Skottie Young
• Artist: Jorge Corona
• Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
• Letterer: Nate Piekos
• Cover Artist: Jorge Corona (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: September 11, 2024
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 24
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of AIN’T NO GRAVE #5:

First Impressions:

Skottie Young’s Old West fable about an outlaw on a quest to stop Death ends the only way it can – tragically. If you’ve been following this series, you recognize how each issue coincides with the 5 Stages of Grief, which should be a clue to the final moments, but the ride is no less meaningful for a series that’s worth every page.

Plot Analysis:

When last we left Ryder in Ain’t No Grave #4, the former outlaw fell into a hallucinatory fever dream of self-reflection after she was expelled from the Riverboat. When Ryder finally came ashore and made her way back to Cypress, she came face-to-face with Death for a final showdown.

In Ain’t No Grave #5, Ryder stares down Death on Cypress’s Main Street. Death and Ryder both know she’s come to kill Death, but now that the big moment is here, Ryder is forced to accept that her quest is never going to be that easy.

Writer Skottie Young (un)fairly gives readers a brief glimmer of hope that Ryder has it all figured out, but as with all things in life, looking a challenge in the eye is very different than what you imagine. As the title of this last issue suggests, Acceptance is the hard part.

Death tells Ryder she’s not the first to challenge its ways, and she’s no more deserving of special treatment because so many lives were directly or indirectly ended by her outlaw years. However, Death acknowledges Ryder’s gumption, so it offers a deal. For every shot Ryder takes that hits Death, she will earn more time. For every shot she misses, she’ll see the pieces of her life that have come and gone. Ryder accepts, and the shooting starts.

Young, again, gives Ryder and the readers a glimmer of hope that she can cheat Death while reminding everyone that Ryder’s past ended so many lives prematurely. The mixed emotions hit home in a big way because you want to root for Ryder while simultaneously admitting she doesn’t deserve to win.

What follows is a montage of scenes from Ryder’s life, both recent and years gone by, as she takes shot after shot and misses. The issue ends with getting to the heart of Ryder’s motivation, a hug, and an undeserving gift.

Overall, Ain’t No Grave #5 ends the miniseries the only way it could, and everyone who reads it is better for it. Skottie Young’s tale of grief deserves all the accolades it receives for pure heart and imagination.

Artwork and Presentation:

We’ve been blown away by Jorge Corona’s turn on Transformers after Daniel Warren Johnson transitioned off art duties, but Corona’s work on this title takes all that goodwill up several notches. Corona’s whimsical style and fluidity are matched by monumental emotion that truly sells Young’s concept.

Art Samples:

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Final Thoughts:

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AIN’T NO GRAVE #5 brings the Old West fable about a retired outlaw on a quest to chest Death to a close with heartbreaking emotion, whimsical visuals, and a satisfying albeit tragic conclusion. Skottie Young deserves heaps of praise for this deeply emotional story, and Jorge Corona’s artwork sings.

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