Customer Reviews

Jonah Hex: No Way Back

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

MINOR Spoilers:

Judging from DC Comics' synopsis of this book, I was expecting a full re-telling of Hex's origin, but that is not the case, here, which is GOOD, because this writing team already told that story (in the "Origins" trade). This one does dive into his past a bit more, but instead of focusing on his abusive father as much, his dying mother is the focus, along with Hex learning for the first time that he has a half brother. It's interesting to see Hex through his brother's eyes, who shares Hex's blood, but is on a completely different path as a preacher.

The book is good, and any recent Hex fan, like myself, will enjoy the story, for sure. However, the art is not for everyone. DeZuniga is Jonah Hex's co-creator and original artist, but I was never a fan of his work, personally. It's too "sketchy" for my taste. Some of his closeups are fantastic, though. So he's quite talented, but for the most part, I'm not a fan. Check out DC Comics' June 3rd post on their blog, The Source for a preview.

Bottom Line: Although I'm not crazy about the art, the writing is still great, and if you're a fan, you should have this in your collection.

Well, this certainly is not a comic for kids. Any regular reader of Jonah Hex already expects grim and grueling grittiness to come with the barren territory; however this brand new original graphic novel may be the most brutal of all. There are no happy trails to be found here, with this book showcasing the one fundamental and uncompromising characteristic most Westerns revolve around, lawlessness. With little fear of reprisal, men are exceedingly cruel and ruthlessly unforgiving, with women and children given no quarter. Indeed a young Jonah and his mother greatly illustrate this exact point. Due to his violently abusive father, she had deserted both as a child, and as the story begins we find him trying to find her, given that she now is apparently wanted for murder. This leads to an awkward yet poignant reunion and the surprising discovery of a half-brother, whose more conventional and favorable upbringing has allowed for a much different life's path; of course things have a way of rapidly going south once Jonah hits the scene. Little do we know at the time the dastardly role played by one of Hex's constant antagonists El Papagayo, who has a long standing feud with any member of the Hex family due to Jonah's despicable dad, all setting the stage for a finale that may determine the fate and lives of an entire town and it's people. Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray's story and overall writing is stirring as usual, with the extra length afforded them being quite beneficial for further development of the plot and the players. While Tony DeZuniga's pencils are rather rough and sketchy, they do properly fit the story's ominous tone. This book was published to coincide with the Jonah Hex movie being released this month, with the two projects together hopefully acquainting this charismatic cur to a much broader audience. No Way Back has admirably succeeded in its part.

The `return' of Tony De Zuniga to Jonah Hex is remarkable. Not only has Jonah Hex hit the big screen, but also with that exposure, Hex has developed a significant following too! Hollywood has buzzed with the casting, the story, and the buzz that the heroine created with her portrayal of the love interest.

That brings us to No Way Back. Continuing Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti's run on our anti-hero, they have given readers a back story that is very compelling (and dark too). We have all wondered why Jonah is why he is, now we know. An abusive father, and an abandonment by his mother, will create a certain bitterness in anyone. Add the tomahawk to his face, and the process is complete.

They say that our eyes mirror our souls, and our demeanor reveals our inner `sense'. Jonah Hex is clearly a troubled man. His brother, Joshua Dazzleby, raised by his mother AFTER her abandonment of Jonah, has turned to the Lord for comfort. Both preacher and lawman, he rules Heavens' Gate with grace and strength. Jonah, while bringing the body of his mother for burial, unsettles the town yet prepared them for El Papagayo and his revenge against Jonah Hex's father. This time, the sins of the father are revisited upon the children and those around them. How will Jonah prepare the citizens of peaceful Heaven's Gate for the murderers? Is Hex blood thicker than water?

Firstly, I am pleased to finally learn who Jonah is , and how he became this way. Secondly, the art of Mr DeZuniga (for 140 pages) is awesome! Storywise, Gray and Palmiotti are consistant, yet portray a Hex that Mr Fleischer was unable to in his day. Our version of Hex is that of a man ruled by passions, temptations, and bounties. This is a violent book. This is a disturbing book in many ways. Yet, this is the Jonah Hex that modern readers have resonated with, post 911. As an older reader, I enjoyed the Fleischer/DeZuniga/Ayers tales yet find something that makes me want to read this book. It might be the art, it might be the glimmer of a man that can find redemption yet, or it might be the fact that Jonah Hex is the vigilante we want to be when read about those who prey on our innocent. Imagine a drug dealer supplying kids right in front of Jonah...can't imagine it would be for long. Or, those who beat their wives and children repeatedly...

Once, I suggested a title for a Tim Truman book, I don't Draw Pretty, but Gritty....that describes Jonah Hex. On a side note, even his name suggests a wanderer. Biblically speaking, Jonah ran from God and finally found his peace, perhaps the `Hex' in our case now, is that he will never find peace...Only Mr Fleischer and Joe Orlando might know.

Highly recommended.

Four scars out of four!

Tim Lasiuta

Wow, if you're going to create a great, self-contained graphic novel for an existing character, where you recap their history yet still progress their allure and mystic, then Jonah Hex: No Way Back should be a reference point for anyone. Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray have consistently provided monthly one and done stories with the regular Jonah Hex title from DC but this format really allowed them to expand their skills and talents by showing some sides of Jonah Hex that a shorter story has to imply. The writing team was able to pull Tony DeZuniga (a Jonah Hex staple) back on with the art and he is able to give the story that gritty look that surrounds Jonah Hex's life. Rob Schwager provides that grim and dusty look to solidify the western feel for the story.

Speaking of the story, this is where the book really stands out. An interesting twist for Jonah's history is brought out by revealing he has a half-brother. Faithful readers knew that his mother left, now we see more of why she left and the consequences of her actions. Even in the end, Jonah Hex harkens back to his childhood to open up his calloused heart and do what he feels he is obligated to, albeit in his way. The interaction and obvious differences between Jonah and his half-brother are played off well. Both have a purpose for the paths they have chosen.

Really can't recommend this book enough to everyone, even if you are not a fan of Jonah Hex already. This book will both entertain and impress you at the same time!

Good story but what has happened to the art? We seem to have gone backwards from the 1970's WEIRD WESTERN TALES to almost a sketchpad rendering of the characters. Give me the old days when they tried to make things look realistic. Still enjoyed the story though.

I can't claim to be Jonah Hex fan. I know the character just from being a long-time comics fan, but I have only read a few issues of his comic and mainly know of him through crossovers with the main DC Universe. But I have heard good things about the Gray/Palmiotti Jonah Hex series, and I thought this self-contained story was a good way to give it a shot.

"Jonah Hex: No Way Back" unites the modern Gray/Palmiotti writing team with original Hex artist Tony DeZuniga. The story is one of family, of a dying mother and a long-lost brother and an abusive father. I was worried at first that it would be too much modern psychology - I never liked it when they explained the Hulk by saying that Bruce Banner was an abused child - but it isn't like that at all. The story is pure cowboy mythology, with a priest half-brother confronting his gunslinger kin, and heaven and hell coming together in a bloody gun battle. It could have easily been a Sergio/Clint flick set in some dusty plain with a hardscrabble town.

DeZuniga's art worked really well with the story. He has that old-style Kubert look that as gone out of style for a flashier, polished look in modern comics. But the scratchy lines and tight panels give this Hex story the respectability of age and authenticity. The colorist Rob Schwager deserves praise too. Schwager kept the tones muted with only occasional shocks of color, like El Papagayo's bright birds.

I liked "Jonah Hex: No Way Back" enough that I plan to check out more of the Gray/Palmiotti series. If they are as good as this one then I will proud to call myself a Jonah Hex fan.