The Official Jonah Hex Thread

[Keyser Soze]

Hey folks,

I did a thread search, and couldn't find any thread for discussing the "Jonah Hex" series from DC. I've got into it recently, and it's already become one of the highlights of my pull-list. But from what I've read elsewhere, it seems like I'm not the only person on the board reading it, so I thought it'd be a good idea to have a thread to discuss the series.

Here's a discussion point for starters. Over on the official DC boards, there is a heated debate raging. The thread starter was furious with Jonah Hex #36, and the reasons it gave for Hex to wear a Confederate uniform. He attacked it as revisionist garbage, saying that it was the product of bleeding-heart Liberal writers who can't stand to see a heroic figure supporting the Confederacy, and that it was trying to make the Confederates look bad by saying the whole war was about the Confederates being pro-slavery. He was joined by some other similarly-angry people, and the topic verged off into a pro-Confederacy/anti-Union discussion, about how even today the Union side is still crushing the Confederate spirit, etc, but the original points still irked me. Namely, the central point he was making was that, with this issue, DC were trying to turn Jonah Hex into a Union-sympathiser, with his opening gambit being that "DC are planning to change Hex's outfit into a Union uniform."

Here was the response I wrote to these people:

"I must say I'm annoyed at the politically-driven knee-jerk reactions to what was a brilliantly written comic book. Those of you who are making the latest issue of "Jonah Hex" out to be some kind of "revisionist bleeding-heart Leftie agenda crap" totally missed the point the issue was trying to make.

The thread-starter set the whole discourse of discussion off in the wrong direction when he commented that "DC wants Jonah Hex to trade in his Confederate uniform for a Union uniform". There is no way this issue of "Jonah Hex" was trying to make Hex into a Northern sympathiser, or have him "switch sides" for the sake of political correctness. In fact, it goes out of its way to REPEATEDLY have Hex say that one side was as clueless as the other, and that his sympathies lie with nobody.

As for the whole "penance" element, this is being crucially misinterpreted. By "penance", this doesn't mean that Hex is ashamed of siding with the Confederates, and wishes he'd been fighting on the Union side because he realises they were right. It NEVER says that. What it DOES say he is ashamed of, is the atrocities he committed in war. Not the side he did them for, but the acts themselves. He paints the villain as war itself, not one side or the other. He's disgusted with all that happened in that conflict, and all he did.

And he wears the Confederate uniform because, regardless of any opinion of his own, it had become something to be feared and hated. And Jonah Hex - not as a Confederate, but as a human being - feels he deserves to be feared and hated. It demonstrated a self-loathing that made for some fascinating character development.

And it didn't go with the "all Confederates are racist" stereotype at all. In fact, the narration even outright says that those who assumed that a Confederate uniform meant he supported slavery did so at their peril."

 

[Themanofbat]

Glad to see you're getting into Hex... I've been picking up this book since issue #1 and it has yet failed to deliver.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Glad to see you're getting into Hex... I've been picking up this book since issue #1 and it has yet failed to deliver.

I went back and picked up the first TPB, "Face Full of Violence". If I still find these stories as enjoyable reading them in TPB form, I'm going to just backtrack and get myself up-to-date on the entire run. It's one of those comics I meant to get into for ages, and now that I have I wish I'd done so sooner.

 

[Themanofbat]

Awesome...

This book needs good word of mouth...

 

[yenaled]

I started at 1.

Never regretted it.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Just finished reading the script for the Jonah Hex movie, and I thought it was brilliant stuff. It's pretty much "Once Upon a Time in the West", as brought to you by the people who made "Crank". In terms of atmosphere, it often captures the classic Western feel. But much like Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns turned the conventions of the classic western on their head, and then the likes of "Unforgiven" and "Deadwood" altered the perspectives instilled by the spaghetti western, "Jonah Hex" offers a fresh spin on one of the oldest genres, making this feel at once fresh and familiar.

The film's biggest strength is the character of Jonah Hex himself. They've just nailed the character from the comics perfectly. Josh Brolin would be a great choice to play him, but I'll say this. Whoever they choose to play Jonah.... this film will make them a star. And, if Neveldine and Taylor play their cards right, I could see this being the first instalment of a cult franchise. Jonah Hex could end up being the Indiana Jones to Brolin's Harrison Ford. Hex is just an uber-badass, Eastwood's Man With No Name laced with the ultraviolent mean-streak of Marv.

Like The Guard alluded to over on the DC Films board, the film's biggest weakness is probably its main plot. Quentin Turnbull isn't the most multi-dimensional character, but he is a wonderfully despicable villain. And if they find an actor of suitable gravitas to play him, he is going to be a terrifying force that casts a shadow over the film despite his relatively limited screen-time. However, his evil scheme is never quite fully defined, and falls apart a bit too easily. And this main story involving Turnbull drifts in and out of the movie to the point where we almost lose track of its significance. Similarly, we don't really connect with the closest thing Hex has to a "love interest" - Leila the prostitue. Since they only really share one scene early in the film, I didn't buy into their connection enough to invest in her as a character. Not until the role she plays later on, which I won't spoil.

However, this negative brings about another positive. The film is arguably at it's strongest when Hex gets sidetracked into embarking on smaller "missions". These confrontations are constructed like the "done-in-ones" of the comic, and provide some of the film's biggest laughs and scares. Speaking of laughs, the dialogue peppered throughout is priceless. Gloriously crude at points, but wholly appropriate.

I mentioned it before, but what constantly occurred to me were the parallels to "Once Upon a Time in the West". When reading the script, I envisioned Turnbull as Henry Fonda's Frank. From his child-murdering introduction, to a final confrontation with our hero that reveals a shocking revelation in their relationship through flashback, I could definitely see that film's influence with how their rivalry unfolded. But hey, if you're going to draw inspiration from somewhere, why not make it one of the greatest films ever made?

Simply put, "Jonah Hex" was awesome. I'm glad this has been greenlit. Like has been mentioned, "comic book Western" might be a niche market that hurts the film's marketability, but if the final product is true to this script then this film deserves to be a big success, or at least a cult classic. I had a hoot watching "Crank", but "Jonah Hex" is on a whole other level. This is going to be the film that Neveldine and Taylor - and whoever they choose to play Hex - will be remembered for.

 

[deathshead2]

Benn on board since issue 1 as well, even though I didn't pick up an issue or two because of some terrible art. So any one else get into this title becasue of that episode of Batman where Jonah Hex showed up. Thats why I got into the comic, cus I remembered him from when I was a kid.

 

[Cain]

Another issue 1 veteran here. This book is the highlight of every month for me.

 

[Darthphere]

Nobody, NOBODY has been a bigger proponent of this book on here. It's one of like 5 comics I still buy.

 

[C. W. Saturn]

that good?

 

[yenaled]

that good.

 

[Anubis]

And a bag of chips.

 

[superherouniver]

I've been a fan of Jonah Hex since the 80's. Back then they were talking about having Clint Eastwood play Hex which would have been perfect. I've picked up a few of the new series, but to be honest it doesn't seem quite like the same character to me. I used to feel like I was reading about a real character. I hope Hex continues to have success, and I hope to one day get back into the habit of reading the new series.

One thing I've noticed from the new series is how ugly Hex is now. He was never that bad off in the old days. He looks more like a reject from a horror movie at times vs a scarred gunfighter.

On the movie I'm hoping it's realistic filled with action, but manages to have some sort of humanity in Hex. I hate a lead character that is so dark there's nothing to relate to. Give him a bad attitude most definitely, but don't go so far he's not recognizable as a heroic figure.

 

[Anubis]

Don't know what issues you were reading, Hex is awesome in the new series.

 

[superherouniver]

Have you ever read the original series though?

How about the Hex series where he winds up in the future? That one was interesting, but not as good as the original.

 

[Anubis]

I've read some of his original series through the showcase editions. Don't care for them. But then again, I don't care for most comics pre 1980's.

 

[superherouniver]

Really, I like a lot of the old stuff. I appreciate the new paper, and the art work these days in a lot of the books, but in a lot of cases it seems like there is more art than story in some series. Sometimes I can read a whole book in 2 minutes. Not too cool for how much they cost these days.

 

[Anubis]

There might be more words in that old stuff, but what with all the overly expository writing and lame dialog, I can't even begin to get through an entire issue.

 

[superherouniver]

Keep in mind it's easier to have cool dialogue if there isn't any. I just like to take at least 10 minutes reading a book I paid 3 bucks for.

I wish they still sold comics at stores too. Hate having to drive 45 minutes to buy 5 comics I can read in 10.

Oh well.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Jonah Hex #37 was another strong issue, and demonstrated that this series has more versatility than it is perhaps credited for.

One of the posters above voiced the concern that this new Jonah Hex series was too dark, and Jonah Hex was too dislikeable a protagonist. While I happen to enjoy that grim style of storytelling, I can understand why someone would not like the current run of Jonah Hex if you're not into that kind of thing. But this issue was a refreshing change of pace, the savage morality play we've come to expect from these tales being replaced by an old-school adventure yarn.

As much as I love Jonah Hex, you do get a sense that you know what to expect from an issue. When we're introduced to the poor, honest old man at the start of the issue, I expected him to be brutally murdered. When the three female bounty hunters made the decision to cross Jonah Hex, I expected they would be killed by him before the issue was over.

But instead, shockingly, none of the characters in this issue died, not even the bad guys or their victims. The trio of female bounty hunters made interesting foils for Jonah, and I'd like to see them return in the future. And for the poster who thinks Jonah Hex isn't recognizable as a heroic figure, the issue even ends with Hex doing a good deed for the aformentioned old man, showing that beneath the violent exterior that heart of gold might still be beating after all.

 

[GNR]

been thinking about getting into this series,someone sell me on it!

I love crime and westerns,but usually enjoy them more thru films and not in comics

 

[Darthphere]

One of the greatest things about Jonah Hex is it's flexibility. Most issues are done in one, so you don't have to invest much into the series. What you're getting is an entertaining read that is worth the $3 you for.

 

[Aristotle]

I really don't see why someone would think this is significantly darker than the original run. The original run was VERY dark. The only thing different here is that sometimes language and graphics can be a little more explicit. Other than that, it's the same guy doing the same kinds of things. And his face doesn't look much different to me either.

 

[Themanofbat]

I really don't see why someone would think this is significantly darker than the original run. The original run was VERY dark. The only thing different here is that sometimes language and graphics can be a little more explicit. Other than that, it's the same guy doing the same kinds of things. And his face doesn't look much different to me either.

Having read both, I wouldn't disagree with you on that point... maybe it's just a slight difference in writing styles as per the times...

 

[Keyser Soze]

Since someone else bumped the thread for me, I thought I'd just post my belated thoughts on the latest issue. This was the first issue I didn't like. I thought the story was pretty pat and run-of-the-mill, but it was the art that really put me off. There were points where I didn't even know what was going on.