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Jonah Hex #51
by Wayne Markley
Every month there are numerous comics published, a few of which are excellent. however which book is the very best month after month? I would suggest that it’s Jonah Hex from DC Comics written by Jimmy Palmiotti as well as Justin gray with turning artists. The artists variety from those you may not be familiar with to legends such as Russ Heath as well as Jordi Bernet.
Personally, I was a big fan of the original Jonah Hex series from the 1970s. If you have never checked out Jonah Hex, the fundamental story is that Jonah is a rugged, scarred, Civil war professional who has relied on bounty hunting for a living. He has his own sense of morality as well as he lives an extremely fierce way of life that is, to some extent, required on him. The original stories are blazing violence with the death count per problem frequently exceeding ten or more.
He very first appeared in All-Star Western #10, which was a revival of a comic DC very first published in the 1950s. As an aside, in the 1950’s superhero comics has faded from popularity as well as almost whatever other than superheroes offered well – crime, romance, western, funny animals, etc. The huge names – Superman, Batman, Shazam – were still around, however it was nothing like today’s comic world where 95% of the titles are superheroes. There were tons of westerns, with both new characters (Johnny Thunder, Rawhide Kid) as well as TV adaptations (Roy Rogers, Dale Evens). The high quality different from stunning, such as Alex Toth’s Johnny Thunder or Jack Kirby’s Rawhide youngster (available as two nice Masterworks, by the way) to extremely mediocre stories. however by the last 50’s, superheroes had when once again ended up being the option of comic fans, as well as the westerns died.
Jonah Hex: deal with full of Violence
In the late 60’s, DC was trying different things to broaden its audience. One attempt was the revival of the western. They published Bat Lash, which was kind of an homage to the old TV show Maverick, as well as they re-launched All star Western. The very first nine problems of All star Western featured the Outlaw youngster or El Diablo. It was relatively typical western fair, with El Diablo being more fascinating as well as having much better art. With problem #10, DC introduced Jonah Hex, produced by John Albano as well as Tony DeZuniga – as well as the legend began. With problem #12, the title was altered to weird Western Tales as well as Jonah stayed the star till problem #37 when he got his own title. Michael Fleisher took over composing weird Western Tales relatively early on as well as stayed on the book till the end of its run, including a short lived science fiction Jonah Hex series called Hex, which is finest left undiscussed. Fleisher was finest understood at the time for his work on the Spectre, whose run in experience Comics was both shockingly fierce as well as beautifully draw. Jonah’s death stays one of the very best “death of a character” stories ever written in comics. The early Jonah Hex stories are offered in a two nice showcase collections as well as the Spectre stories are collected in a trade called The Wrath of the Spectre. Both are extremely recommended.
Jonah Hex: Origins
When DC very first revived Jonah Hex a bit over four years ago, I was doubtful. There had been a couple of mini-series prior to this by Joe Landsdale as well as Tim Truman. Both series were extremely good, however didn’t rather have the feel of the original. When I checked out the very first problem of the new Jonah Hex, I hated it. I might not believe what they had done to my preferred character. however as I always try to provide a new book a possibility before I provide up on it, I tried one more issue. problem two caught my interest as well as away I went. Month after month, they tell the very best stories you will read. It is as gritty as a Sergio Leone movie as well as as fierce as a Sam Peckinpah movie. as well as each problem has a few of the very best art around. My preferred part of the new Jonah Hex is that it features stand alone stories. In the 50 problems so far, there have been only a few stories that went more than one issue, the origin, (which was modified from the ’70s version) as well as the most recent story, Six-Gun War. While the origin story held up, I felt Six-Gun war was bit of a let down, even though the final thought did make sense with what they were trying to do.
My one complaint about Jonah Hex is that while there are six trade paperback collections of the series so far, the trades are not numbered on the spine – or anywhere for that matter. I comprehend this for book store sales, however NO WHERE in the trades does it say, “also offered are these collections” as well as mention the other Jonah Hex trades. The one ad that is in the back of the books is not for other Jonah Hex trades, however for the basic superhero stuff. With a Jonah Hex movie coming next year, ideally DC will gets its act together as well as market these books correctly.
Invincible Iron guy #22
In closing, one more book I would suggest you provide a try is Invincible Iron guy by Matt Fraction. It is a strong mix of Jason Borne intrigue with a heavy douses of marvel world poor guys. as well as the art is fantastic. It’s well worth your time to checked out the trades, the second volume of which just came out.
As always, comments, complains, as well as recommendations are welcome.
Purchase
Jonah Hex #51
Jonah Hex: deal with full of violence SC
Jonah Hex: guns of Vengeance SC
Jonah Hex: Origins SC
Jonah Hex: only The great die young SC
Jonah Hex: luck Runs Out SC
Jonah Hex: Bullets Don’t lie SC
Invincible Iron guy #22