Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Stillwater #6 review
    Review

    Stillwater #6 Review

    Robert MammoneBy Robert MammoneFebruary 20, 20214 Mins Read

    In Stillwater #6, Daniel West has been the town’s enforcer and protector for decades. We see him protecting its dirty little secret, until he encounters his old marine sergeant, and his scruples. What bloody mayhem follows? Find out in your next mighty Major Spoilers review!

    Stillwater #6 Review
    You can purchase this issue via the comiXology affiliate link

    STILLWATER #6

    Writer: Chip Zdarksy
    Artist: Ramon K Perez
    Colorist: Mike Spicer
    Letterer: Rus Wooton
    Editor: Jon Moisan
    Publisher: Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment
    Price: $3.99
    Release Date: February 17th, 2021

    Previously in Stillwater: No one dies who lives with the town limits of Stillwater, a place that doesn’t exist on any map, anywhere. But in the modern day, that’s becoming increasingly hard to maintain, to keep outsiders out. Resident Daniel West is tasked with disposing of interlopers, but it is increasingly hard to do, and when he clashes with his old marine sergeant, his situation, and Stillwater’s, becomes untenable.

    WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER?

    Smalltown America is full of hidden, dirty secrets, which makes them great fodder for fiction of all stripes. From ‘Twin Peaks’ to ‘Blue Velvet’ to ‘Salem’s Lot’ to a substantial portion of ‘The X-Files’, smalltown America has long been the dark underbelly of the American dream.

    So, Stillwater has been mining great material over this first arc of the series – the opening issue is a masterclass in brooding tension as two strangers find themselves trapped, then disposed of, by the town’s inhabitants, eager to keep its dark secret. Stillwater #6 continues in that tradition, as it glances back at protagonist Daniel West’s efforts to maintain the secret. But while Daniel has blood on his hands, some in the town have decided that maintaining the secret is too great a sin to bear. A vote is forced, but the Judge, who has ruled with an iron fist for decades, overturns it, with violent consequences.

    Chip Zdarsky depicts Daniel’s mental disintegration deftly in Stillwater #6, flashing back to 1999 where we see an idealistic figure eager to do his duty and protect the town’s secret. But the cost has become too much, and while he kills to order, the emotional toll is becoming too much. His chance encounter with his old Marine sergeant from the invasion of Grenada offers an opportunity for some sort of redemption of Daniel, but is it too late?

    The structure of Stillwater #6 allows for the reader to see the change in Daniel, and also provides other examples of the ruthless determination of the Judge to protect the town from outsiders. It also allows the reader to see the consequences of the vote to open the town up. It’s a game changing event that sets the series up for its next arc.

    GIMME THE PRIZE

    Elsewhere in Stillwater #6, artist Ramon Perez and colorist Mike Spicer bring their ‘A’ games to the issue. Perez lays out the art impeccably, making good use of ‘panel in panel’ to give the story momentum. He also mixes his artwork to suit the scene – there’s an authenticity to the Marine guard salute at a veteran’s gravesite, then we see a looser, more wild series of panels as Daniel strangles a man the Judge doesn’t want to visit Stillwater. Spicer provides a toned down palette, even during the scenes of devastation in Stillwater. It would be easy to amp up the colors to make the gore and violence more vivid, but maintaining restraint adds a level of plausibility and realism to otherwise extreme events.

    Stillwater #6 ends on a cliffhanger, with a lot left unresolved. It’s a confident writer who sets the stage so carefully, as Zdarsky has in this first arc, only for him to basically sweep the board and start again. It feels a lot like the intense focus on Stillwater itself will broaden its viewpoint in issues to come, and that can be no bad thing.

    BOTTOM LINE: PUTTING THE PEDAL TO THE METAL

    Zdarsky continues as he sets out, holding true to the central tenets of the series in Stillwater #6. There’s a take no prisoner’s vibe to it, and a willingness to upturn the apple cart in the service of maintaining the headlong speed of the action.


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    Stillwater #6

    87%
    87%
    Holds True

    Stillwater #6 is the end of the first arc, with the town of Stillwater consumed by anarchy and violence as the Judge puts his foot down with cataclysmic effect. But there are enough story threads left dangling that indicate Zdarsky has more up his sleeve for this hidden town of immortals.

    • Writing
      8
    • Art
      9
    • Coloring
      9
    • User Ratings (1 Votes)
      2.5
    Chip Zdarsky Image Comics Jon Moisan Mike Spicer Ramon K. Perez Review Rus Wooton Skybound Entertainment Stillwater
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleCritical Hit 590: Attack of the Red Belters (DFS01-E13)
    Next Article Sabrina: Something Wicked #5 Review
    Robert Mammone

    Romantic. Raconteur. Kangaroo rustler. Sadly, Rob is none of these. Rob has been a follower of genre since at least the mid-1970s. Book collector, Doctor Who fan, semi-retired podcaster, comic book shop counter jockey, writer (once!) in Doctor Who Magazine and with pretensions to writing fantasy and horror, Rob is the sort of fellow you can happily embrace while wondering why you're doing it. More of his maudlin thoughts can be found at his ill-tended blog https://robertmammone.wordpress.com/

    Related Posts

    SDCC’25: Medieval Spawn to appear in Rogue Sun in October

    Read More

    FIRST LOOK: G.I. JOE #10

    Read More

    Hector Plasm return in Hunt the Bigfoot

    Read More

    Comments are closed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    5.3
    July 18, 2025

    This Ends Tonight #1 Review

    6.0
    July 13, 2025

    Unchosen #1 Review

    6.3
    July 13, 2025

    Retro Review: Marvel Team-Up #95

    8.7
    July 11, 2025

    Fantastic Four #1 Review

    6.0
    July 8, 2025

    JSA #9 Review

    Patreon Support
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT