Jonah Hex: Origins

`Jonah Hex: Origins' is a compilation of issues 13 - 18 of the comic book published by DC / Vertigo in 2007.The first three issues / chapters comprise the `Retribution' story arc, which consists mainly of flashbacks dealing with Jonah Hex's younger days, which were marked by plentiful abuse at the hands of various personages, including brutal Union Army officers, a drunk and disorderly father, and vengeful Apaches. We learn how Jonah suffered the injury to his left eye, and later, who was responsible for the disfiguring scar that mars the left half of his face.`Retribution' is reasonably well written, although for some long-time fans of the Jonah Hex character, the disclosure of how he received his famous scars - after so many years of remaining a series mystery - may seem like the breaking of a covenant.If the modern incarnation of the Hex series could be said to have a dedicated artist, it's Jordi Bernet, who illustrates the `Retribution' storyline. In my opinion Bernet's art style, with its sketchy, rather hasty quality, is not the book's strong point. But it's probably unrealistic to hope that Moebius will ever step in to draw some Jonah Hex comics in that `Blueberry' style.The next two issues / chapters deal with the history of Tallulah Black, a young woman from Tennessee who is Hex's sometime bounty-hunting partner, and sometime girlfriend. `The Ballad of Tallulah Black' reveals the gruesome treatment Tallulah underwent at the hands of renegade Union soldiers. Luckily for our heroine, Jonah Hex is in the right place at the right time to lend some assistance, and under his tutelage Tallulah learns how to draw and shoot well enough to seek her revenge. While these two chapters are an entertaining read, employing the mordant humor common to the Hex titles, Phil Noto's artwork is too stylized and too pretty to really give the storyline the necessary gritty visual character. For example, a climactic shootout is rendered via the use of too-small panels and too-spare sound effects, turning into something of a weak imitation of the shootout between Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman in the movie `The Quick and the Dead'.The last chapter in the book, `I Walk Alone', is the best in the compilation. Featuring some good artwork by Val Semeiks, with moody grays, blues, and blacks for a color scheme, the plot finds Jonah confronted at his wilderness encampment by a runaway bride. A posse of armed men arrive, seeking to retrieve her; against his will, Jonah finds himself drawn into the conflict. `I Walk Alone' keeps the reader guessing all the way to the last few panels, and ends on a note of profound cynicism and moral ambiguity.These downbeat, existential conclusions are what (in my mind, at least) makes the `Jonah Hex' title such refreshing alternative to the contrived angst that characterizes the writing for so many of the better-selling superhero titles on the comic shop shelves.In total, `Jonah Hex: Origins' probably isn't the most impressive of the trade paperback compilations of the contemporary Hex comics, but fans will want to have it in their collection, as its stories continue to inform ongoing scripts of the series.

I bought some of these Jonah Hex books mostly because I like one of the artists, Jordi Bernet. I was really disappointed with how his artwork is handled. It looks as if someone at DC was smart enough and had the good taste to recognize his talent, but then the colorist and multiple art editors felt the need to slather Bernet's masterful brushwork in thick, obscuring layers of dark colors. The subtle lines Bernet uses to suggest anatomy and wrinkles are used as guidelines by the colorist to make all kinds of sloppy shadows. It looks like he's trying to "paint" 3D depth.I have nothing, in principle, against the use of computer technology for artwork, as long as the results are good. Too often though, I get the overwhelming impression that the ease and flexibility computers allow leads the artists and colorists to overdo their work to it's detriment. Also, newer comic book coloring all to often looks way too dark and muddy. I suspect it's because they are working on a back-lit computer screen and aren't adjusting it to work on a printed page. They probably hire people with technical proficiency rather than aesthetic taste. Unfortunately it's easier to teach the former than it is the latter.I love Jordi Bernet's artwork. I suppose to some it can appear sloppy and haphazard. But for me, and his many fans, it's a skillful, knowledgeable, and confident display of finely controlled chaos. Unfortunately it looks like DC doesn't know how best to present his work.I highly recommend IDW's line of Bernet's "Torpedo." If you get all of the books, or buy the complete collection in one, you'll see wonderful presentation of his artwork at it's best, along with the development and refinement of his style. Warning: They are all printed in black and white, and avoid them altogether if you are averse to nudity and violence.

Being a big fan of Jonah Hex from way back in the 70's, I wanted to see what the new update would look like. After all, the character was nearly killed off in the 80's when he started fighting monsters and demons. Now Jonah is back as the western (anti-) hero he was supposed to be (though the Albano stories are still unbeatable).I was a little disappointed with the first two books, as most of the artists where a let down and incapable of drawing a decent western (jeesh, isn't there a single artist nowadays who can draw a horse?). But with the third volume we get at least an artist who can draw westerns (Torpedo's Jordi Bernet). The storyline which goes through three chapters, takes us back to when Jonah was a kid and of how he got his scarred face (and no, he wasn't kicked by a mule).For old fans like me, there is nothing new on the horizon, as this story was already told before (and much better) by Michael Fleischer. However, we can see that DC has taken an interest in bringing the character back again the way he was meant to be, instead of transforming him into some sort of futuristic superhero. Also, this time around he at least speaks in his southern western drawl (as opposed to the modern PC English he spoke in the first two volumes).The other two artists in the volume are worthless, the second one faring only slightly better than an inept artist called Phil Noto.Now DC, how about getting Russ Heath out of retirement and have him draw a story?

The Jonah Hex Origins (issues 13 to 18 in the 2000’s series) are both a great primer to the character for newcomers and a good reminder of how the character came to be for those veteran Hex fans. The origin is not changed but lovingly expanded upon from the bronze age origin. The other story in this volume is the introduction of Tallulah Black to the Hex series. Tallulah is another great and even important addition to the supporting cast for Jonah Hex. All in all, if you are a Hex fan, this belongs in your collection.

A great graphic novel that has grit, a little darkness, good writing, and great drawing. From what i have heard, The movie did not do any justice to this character. However I have not seen it, so I will reserve judgment until I do.But i digress. But this graphic novel is great for the novice of this character or one that knows more about it. The best recommendation I can give is that i loaned this book to a friend, who knew nothing about the series or character, and he loved it and is looking to buy a copy himself.