Western Comics #80

In the dusty town of Red Rock, a storm cuts short a poker game, setting off a chain of events when Jim Dexter arrives with the sheriff, claiming he’s been robbed. With Matt Savage accused and the money found in his bag, the trial heats up—until a sharp-eyed observation reveals the stolen cash shows no sign of water damage, pointing to a clever frame-up. As tensions rise, the truth unravels: Jim was paid by Greg Parker of the Walking Box group to pin the theft on Matt, but the real twist lies in the fate of the group itself—quarantined by a mysterious illness.

In "Gun Duel at Copper Creek!" from Western Comics #80, sixteen-year-old Duane Jeffries finds himself thrust into the harsh realities of frontier life when a sudden gunfight interrupts his coming-of-age. With the help of the seasoned tracker Pow-Wow, Duane helps capture the outlaws, sparking his dream to become a lawman. Years later, as Copper Creek’s new sheriff, Duane faces a deadly ambush on his first day—only to be saved by Pow-Wow, who uncovers a deeper conspiracy and guides Duane toward a new path in Elkhorn.