DC COMICS
WRITERS: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
ARTIST: Moritat
COLORS: Gabriel Bautista
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.
Jonah Hex is a Western comic book character who has appeared in multiple DC Comics publications, including his own series. Created by writer John Albano and artist Tony DeZuniga, Jonah Woodson Hex first appeared in advertisements for All-Star Western #10 which were published in various DC Comics titles with a November/December 1971 cover date.
Hex made his first appearance in a story in All-Star Western #10 (cover date February–March 1972). Hex is a bounty hunter whose face is horribly scarred on the right side, and while he is cynical with a surly personality, Hex lives by a personal code of honor to protect and avenge the innocent.
All-Star Western was the name of two comic book series published by DC Comics. Each series was a Western fiction omnibus featuring both continuing characters and backup features. The first series ran from 1951 to 1961, and the second from 1970 to 1972. A third volume of All-Star Western is part of “The New 52,” the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line. Jonah Hex also returns to the DCU, and he is the star of the new All Star Western.
All Star Western #1 opens in Gotham City of the 1880s. There is a killer loose – the Gotham Butcher. Doctor Amadeus Arkham is has been called to consult on a case that has thus far seen the gruesome murder of five prostitutes. Dr. Arkham has, in turn, called in Western bounty hunter, Jonah Hex, to help him in the apprehension of the Gotham Butcher, much to the chagrin of Police Chief John Cromwell. While their investigation takes them across the city, however, they find little info until they’re invited to a swanky party for Gotham’s power elite.
I first encountered Jimmy Palmiotti when he was Joe Quesada’s partner and inker. In recent years, I’ve read some comic books written by Palmiotti and his writing partner Justin Gray, which I’ve enjoyed (especially Time Bomb for Radical Publishing). As far as I’m concerned, Palmiotti could never ink again and I wouldn’t care if he continues to produce so many good comic books.
This Jonah Hex story is the anti-buddy movie the way the film Se7en was. Arkham and Hex may be working together, but they’re really not working together, at least not this early in the narrative. What makes this story so engaging is that Gray and Palmiotti carefully draw the characters, through their words and actions, which breathe life into many of this issue’s scenes. That makes everything seem more authentic. There are a few moments which are hackneyed and borrowed from other stories and even some moments that are corny who’s-toughest scenes.
As good as Gray and Palmiotti are, the star creator here is artist Moritat. Moritat is good with figure drawing and clothing, but he soars when depicting cityscapes, streets, neighborhoods, interiors, sets, various machines, and other background details. This issue opens with a fantastic splash page depicting a panorama of the Gotham train depot, with Gotham City in the background. This page recalls the opening cityscape shots in the film, Blade Runner, which is why I’d keep reading All Star Western just for Moritat.
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September 28th
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