Month after month, Jonah Hex has to be one of the best comics on the stands.Yes, it's a western, so too many readers will crinkle their nose and call it old hat - but the writing team of Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti consistently spin great stories.
This issue finds Hex (who is a bounty hunter) bringing in some captured criminals when he's caught in a terrible snowstorm. He manages to make his way to a nearby town, but there he finds a group of people who are trying to hide a terrible secret.
To say more would be to give too much away, but the writers stay true to the character - he's no hero, but he's not a monster, either - though he's certainly run into his share of horrific situations.
I have mixed feelings about the artwork in this issue. Fiona Staples provides some pages that are beautifully done (the opening splash page, for example), while other panels are awkward. Still, the storytelling is clear and strong.
And that last statement is true for this series. Unlike other series that pile on a convoluted continuity, Jonah Hex's stories are lean, mean and sharp. There's no wasted effort, and it makes for a very satisfying read.
Grade: B+
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5 comments:
I really like the character Jonah Hex, and I loved the Showcase reprint and the old wetern comic before he was sent in the future, but after the first few issues, I just haven't been able to enjoy the current Hex series and had to drop it awhile ago. Would you say that the past year is superior to previous issues?
Anon, I couldn't say - I'm a (relatively) recent convert to the title. I'd urge you to track down any of the issues that feature Darwyn Cooke's art - those are exceptional. I'm not a huge western fan, but I like that genre when the stories are written well. I do like this series, so I'd recommend trying an issue or two and see what you think.
Have always been a western fan, but not in comics so much... I liked the Vertigo Jonah Hex (is Tim Truman perfect for westerns or what?)... And just today I saw the 1st Palmiotti and Gray trade at the friendly neighborhood used book store and thinking of your review picked it up... so far the 1st issue was great!
Kyle, Truman was absolutely born for westerns (although he's mighty good at the barbarian stuff, too). Let me know what you think of the rest of the Hex book!
I started with the Vertigo, which I did enjoy, then went to the Showcase, and from there the Pre-Crisis series. I enjoyed all of those. I enjoyed the early issues of the current series, especially the first guest appearnce by Bat Lash....but I just noticed I stopped enjoying them somewhere along the way. I think I ended up quiting around issue #50. I would like to support the character....but it just kept falling to the bottom of the pile. The current Punisher stuff is the same way with me. Favorite character but...I haven't looked forward to an issue of his for a long time.
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