Customer Reviews

Jonah Hex: Lead Poisoning

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Having the opportunity recently to read both Jonah Hex and Brian Azzarello's post Civil War series Loveless at length, the contrasting of these two examinations of late 1800's Americana made for interesting reflection. At first glance, the predominately single issue and somewhat simpler stories of Hex paled in comparison to Loveless's deeper and more detailed arcs. It also didn't hurt that Loveless's close ties to a significant historical event gave it more credence and credibility vis-à-vis Hex's basic bounty hunter exploits. Anyone familiar with Azzarello naturally expects harsh and grueling grittiness, even to the point of excess, and Loveless is certainly no exception. Indeed its' one main point of contention could arguably be the extent of its' viciousness and disturbing images. Not that Hex is any stranger to violence and Wild West decadence itself. While Loveless's intense nature is understandable due to its' mature Vertigo aegis, Hex's level of brutality, graphically exemplified in this collection, is quite surprising and shocking considering it's published under the more mild and mainstream milieu of the DC universe. While it may be easy to quickly label Jonah Hex as a proverbial western anti-hero ala Clint Eastwood, his level of malice and self interest go well beyond that, even to the point of arousing possible antipathy towards him. He is a volatile paradox, an amoral man governed by his own perverse code of honor. Credit must be given to the writing team of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray for keeping the character accessible by delicately balancing these two disparate sides while creating imaginative and distinct episodes, thus elevating the series above its' inherent limitations, no mean feat when producing original stories on a monthly basis. This current trade is not significantly different from its' predecessors, so focusing on its' exact contents isn't necessarily critical or illuminating. While not the best edition the title has to offer, it still provides an accurate assessment of the tone and level of quality to be expected from other volumes. Even if Westerns are not your cup of tea, which they are certainly not mine, this series has remarkably transcended its' redundant and one dimensional premise to be a book worth consideration.

`Jonah Hex: Lead Poisoning' compiles issues 37 through 42 (2009). All writing was done by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray.

Issue 37, `Trouble Comes in Threes', is a Jordi Bernet-illustrated, humorous tale featuring a trio of female bounty hunters, the leader of which looks like an extra- pneumatic version of `Veronica' from the Archie Comics. I recognize that the Hex series must occasionally take a break from stories focusing on violence and depravity, but this entry is really...cheesy.

Issue 38, `Hell or High Water', is a standard-issue revenge tale, nothing special. Bernet's artwork seems even more loose and hastily applied here.

In issue 39, `Cowardice', a team of escaped convicts creates mayhem and Jonah is the only bounty hunter interested in taking them on. Rafa Garres takes over art duties, but I find his style too figurative, and murkily colored, to be very rewarding.

The best two issues in this collection are nos. 40 and 41, a two-part tale titled `Sawbones'. Palmiotti and Gray redeem themselves somewhat for issue 37 with this gruesome episode, featuring a former Confederate doctor with a fondness for vivisection. David Michael Beck's crisp artwork is among the best this modern run of the Hex title has yet seen, ably assisted by Rob Schwager on coloring. It's too bad this team hasn't been recruited for more Hex issues.

The collection closes with issue 42, `Shooting the Sun'. An extended flashback of Jonah's wretched life as the son of Woodson Hex segues into a modern-day showdown with a trio of bullies.

All in all, `Lead Poisoning' is one of the less impressive compilations of the Hex series, but fans will want to get it if they don't already have the 'Sawbones' two-parter in their collection.

Another trade in the series from Jonah Hex and I couldn't be happier. I love being able to throw another trade up on the bookshelf and be able to pop any of the respective Jonah Hex trades out and know I'll be able to read a great story without having to read them in order or feel like I missed out on something before or after. That is the beauty of the stories by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray and the entire Jonah Hex line. The strength of this trade is highlighted by lush illustrations of Jordi Bernet. The female bounty hunter issue just highlights what people in Europe have known for years, Jordi is a master. And coloring goes a long way in a book with rotating artists but Rob Schwager does a great job of keeping the tones consistant across the stories.

Kudos to DC for publishing this book and in this format!

Jonah Hex: Lead Poisoning is not for the squeamish yet the stories can a mix of humor and fun with the horror and despair. This collection contains five stories united only in the existential fate shared by all the characters. My favorites were all the stories drawn by Jordi Bernet. Everything is concise and crisp with little to no over-arching character development. Still, it is amazing to see what pathos can be delivered in the vignettes.