JONAH HEX AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH #1 (DC COMICS)
In the Wild West, one name stands out above any other gunslinger….
JONAH HEX!
An evil presence has come to a small town called Ashecott. The residents are not ready to deal with this horror. Luckily for them, Hex has caught wind of this terror. He might be as good as he once was, but all he needs is one shot!
JONAH HEX AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH #1 by Michael Walsh, Toni-Marie Griffin, & Becca Carey (DC COMICS) begins an all-new adventure for the notorious bounty hunter.
Let’s take a closer look at the debut chapter.
JONAH HEX AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH #1 by Michael Walsh, Toni-Marie Griffin, & Becca Carey (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Walsh crafts a terrifying look at monsters running in the West and inside a broken soul. The opening sequence showcases the cold demeanor of Hex and what he does best. It is a chilling scenario. Once time jumps, readers see how Hex is haunted by his past. The writing steers into this darkness to give a tragic sense to his life. It’s a perfect homage to the classic Western tales. This vintage feel disappears fast as Hex hits Ashecott.
The interactions with the residents push Hex’s buttons until one finally cracks through. Annie’s plea for help strikes a chord but gets pushed aside when her father makes his entry. His devilish brushoff of Hex tips a hat to something more sinister. Walsh takes events full circle once going to close. Hex’s demons try temping fate with a dire memory. This gets offset by the true horrors abound. Readers get a healthy dose of mystery and scares before departing with many questions looming. A solid debut with room to expand.
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Walsh pulls double duty with art duties. Hex’s gun fight creates a tense start with Carey’s lettering escalating matters. A near full image shows Hex in his violent glory while taking out a young attacker. This transitions to his present time as a shaken but stern soul. Panels show the ghosts effect as he tries moving on with his days. It provides a stacked view to get Hex into town where more trouble is waiting.
An impressive two page spread brings Hex into Ashecott. The residents’ looks raise some questions as Hex moves through the area. His attempt to get a drink is interrupted by with some brief action. Readers watch as the aftermath grabs attention with a plea for help. Color tones hint at various themes while pushing events into the closing stages. This is especially driven home with Annie’s ordeal. A haunting full page showcases the real horror in shadows awhile Hex deals with his own sins in private. The final page leaves more eyebrows raised in departing as an uneasiness takes hold of the art.
FINAL GRADE: 8.6
The sins of the past pail in comparison to the evil that Jonah Hex finds in an impressive first issue! Walsh crafts a chilling mystery behind misdirecting panels, embracing a classic western feel. A new day dawns for DC’s most infamous bounty hunter and the horrors that follow suit. Check it out!
Let me know your thoughts on JONAH HEX AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
