Jonah Hex (2006-2011) Vol. 1: Face Full of Violence

In January, 2006, DC comics relaunched its Jonah Hex character, in a new series of eponymously titled comic books.The series eventually made it to issue 70 in August of 2011, at which time it (and most of DC's titles) was cancelled as part of the company's ill-advised 'The New 52' marketing campaign.Jonah Hex then became the featured character in the newly launched `All Star Western', where he remains today.Unlike the `All Star Western' comics of the 70s in which Hex made his debut, the Jonah Hex series started in 2006 was not subjected to Comics Code approval. Accordingly, writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray were free to place the character in a West heavily modeled on the morally ambivalent, and explicitly violent, landscape of the seminal Clint Eastwood film, `Unforgiven'.Indeed, in issues 1-4 and 6, artist Luke Ross depicts Jonah with the features of Clint Eastwood, ca. 1971 (albeit with a hideous scar on the side of his face).`Face Full of Violence' is a compilation of Jonah Hex issues 1 - 6. My capsule summary of the contents:Issue 1, `Giving the Devil His Due': Jonah searches for a missing child, and exacts appropriate justice.Issue 2, `Dia De Los Santos Reyes': homicidal bandidos, lawmen of dubious valor, and lots of dynamite.Issue 3, `Eye for an Eye': Apache massacres, and more corrupt lawman. All-Star Western supporting character `Bat' Lash makes a guest appearance, and is duly repulsed by Jonah's unique sense of fair play.Issue 4, `The Time I Almost Died': a note of levity, offered via supporting character Chako the bandit; there is a hanging.Issue 5, `Christmas with the Outlaws': Tony Dezuniga, who created Hex and illustrated him in most of the issues of All Star Western in the 70s, returns to the new series. Unfortunately, Dezuniga's style here is too loose and figurative, in my opinion. This issue sees Jonah tangling with vigilantes and outlaws amidst a snowy Winter landscape.Issue 6, `Goin' back to Texas in a Box': the series really hits its stride here. Featuring psychopathic nuns (!?), bloodthirsty Indians, a burning at the stake, and frenetic action all the way to the last page.In summary, `Face Full of Violence' is one of the better compilations of the 2006 - 2011 Jonah Hex series.These issues feature outstanding artwork from Luke Ross, and their plotting displays the enthusiasm of writers Palmiotti and Gray as they take on a new assignment. Somewhat inevitably, the plotting and the artwork of this series began to decline in its last 18 months of life, but here at the start, in 2006, something fresh and novel was being brought to the Western genre.

I had never heard of Jonah Hex until I saw the movie a few years ago, but I immediately liked his sense of justice and became a fan. He reminds me of "The Punisher" only in the old west. This is the first illustrated comic book version I have ever read on Jonah Hex but it will not be my last because I love this volume. This is a hero who does not hesitate in destroying evil and giving the bad guys his own brand of justice. He needs no judge and jury as he hunts and shoots down his enemies.This text is organized into six short tales. Each one tells a different story. Since he knows heaven will not have him he makes sure the evil gun fighters and other crooks end up in hell, as he blasts them all with his deadly guns. Some of the sections to these tales include the following: A cemetery without crosses, The crippled hunter, The dog fighters, A proper burial, Bullets of silver. Cross of gold, Massacre at Silverton, Only God forgives and other chapters. The illustrations are also fantastic.In conclusion, if you are a fan of The Punisher series and also love westerns, with a unique and deadly bounty hunter who is the same kind of "man of justice, you will love Jonah Hex: Face full of violence. A fun read.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Predator Hunter: A warrior's memoir)

One of the most underappreciated characters in one of the most underappreciated genres in comics gets resurrected and reinvigorated thanks to the writing tandem of inker Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray. A duo who worked together on a series of holiday-themed Punisher one-shots (none of which were anything if at all to write home about mind you), both writers are firing on all cylinders with Jonah Hex: Face Full of Violence, which collects the first six issues of the revamped series. Instead of focusing on one continuing storyline, Face Full of Violence contains six seperate stories all involving our favorite scarred outlaw, as he pursues kidnappers, has run-ins with those from his past, and generally takes on all comers without blinking an eye. The stories themselves are gritty and violent without going over the top in terms of gore and profanity (this isn't a Vertigo title, it's under the DC banner), but it retains plenty of attitude and a mature tone that isn't seen in mainstream comics too often these days. The art by Luke Ross and original Jonah Hex artist Tony Dezuniga is nothing short of great, making an already sweet package even, well, sweeter. All in all, if you dig old western comics or have fond memories of a man named Hex, this is a must own.

I have no doubt that Jimmy Palmiotti's Jonah Hex is the greatest cowboy hero in the history of comics books, ever. This character and these stories are greater than The Lone Ranger, The Vigilante and any other cowboy character from the golden age, silver age or otherwise. What Gray and Palmiotti do here is represent an Old West that is dangerous, thrilling and accurate. He portrays the characters at times as a loose canon and other times as the mysterious traveler. These are self contained stories that will turn you into a Jonah Hex fan, if you aren't already. 5 Stars.

Nonstop action in the brutal world of Jonah Hex. A great collection of short stories. I could not put it down. Buy it. Jonah would if he hadn’t spent all his money on skin care products.

Not as comedic as The New 52 volumes, but it does have a few moments. All in all, just as good as it's newer counterparts. I fully suggest you grab this book.

Good read I like Jonah Hex and these collections are a great way to catch up on his adventures without spending a fortune tracking down back issues.

Continuing the Hex chronicles. Continue to get better and better, can't wait to read the next set of comics! True grit, Clint Eastwood type character.

6 great short stories with lots of action. Awesome artwork as well. Hex is written as a much more serious character in this version so don’t expect any wisecracks or jokes.

I got this, because I like the character a lot from Batman: The Animated series but didn't know that much about him, so I got this. It's a really awesome comic series run. rich and gritty artwork that really capture a strong and cinematic feel of the wild west. The Dialogue is very creative and witty. With Hex occasionally spouting out one-liners here and there.Hex's character design in this is heavily based off Clint Eastwood which I think is pretty cool, intimating and makes a strong presence. Menacing eyes and heavily scarred face. a collection full of great story arcs from betrayal to corruption to vengeance. The usual violent ventures of the west. However there's a single flaw one of the story arcs towards the end has a different style of artwork. Which I found to be a bit messy in style and can be hard on the eyes. But overall, one of best Graphic Novels I've read in a long time.

I like Jonah Hex because it's a book that's mature, without being graphic. Unlike countless other titles, Hex is a character that's been around for a while and isn't much concerned about the crisis' that seem to be happening every 20 odd years or so. His stories are singular one and done. Beautifully drawn and well written, these short 6 tales tell of a western world that's still comfortable around tights and code names.Pick up this book if your fan of the gritty, western or just plain good honest story tellin'.

Excellent.

Questa raccolta di brevi (brevissime) storie dello sfregiato cacciatore di taglie mi ha entusiasmato meno del solito.Oltre ad essere alquanto slegate, se letto "rapidamente" si corre il rischio di non capire in quale punto della storia ci si trovi (fine della vecchia ? inizio della nuova ? unione tra due storie ?)Solo per fan