Longbox Junk - Zorro Rides Again

ZORRO RIDES AGAIN

DYNAMITE (2011 - 2012)

The last couple entries here at Longbox Junk were about Dynamite's Zorro run.  That series was generally pretty damn good, but ended abruptly on a cliffhanger.  That sort of nagged at me, so I pulled out Dynamite's follow-up Zorro series, to see if the story continued. . .and it does.

So here we are with 12 more issues of Matt Wagner's take on Zorro.

This series leads off EXACTLY where the previous Dynamite Zorro series ended, but a full year and a half later.  Why they took so long to continue the story, I don't know. It reminds me of how a season of a show like Walking Dead or Game of Thrones will end on a cliffhanger and pick up later on exactly where they left off.


But unlike those shows, from the looks of the back issue values and print run numbers, it doesn't seem like anyone was particularly anxious to learn how this particular cliffhanger worked out.

ANYWAY. . .


Zorro Rides Again.  Let's do this!

ISSUE 1

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Esteve Polls

COVER: Matt Wagner

We return to the story as Alejeandro de la Vega finds out that his son, Don Diego, is pulling double-duty as Zorro. How will this affect Zorro's continuing crusade against the alcalde of Los Angeles, Luis Quintero?



 This first issue picks up at the exact moment the last issue of Zorro left off, with Diego's father discovering his secret hideout below the De La Vega hacienda. Most of this issue re-introduces all of the characters from the earlier series, as well as sets up a new conflict in the Alcalde moving into a new territory (the San Fernando valley) and Zorro determined to foil his plans.


Mostly introduction and setup, but there's promise here, especially since Wagner is still on scripts. The new artist is no Francavilla, but the art is very nice, if not as dark and moody as I'd like a Zorro comic to be.  And the cover! I'd love that as a poster. One of the best Zorro pictures I've seen!

ISSUE 2

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Esteve Polls

COVER: Matt Wagner



Still a strong start for this series, with the Alcalde and his henchmen stepping up the plot to steal Don Pulido's land and the gold beneath it, Don Alejandro trying to deal with his discovery that his son is Zorro, and in the aftermath of the Alcalde's first attacks on San Fernando, a woman who saw her family killed seems set on revenge.


Still a lot of re-introduction to the plot threads from the first series, but it doesn't feel forced. All in all a good read, but I just wish the story would move out of exposition mode soon.

ISSUE 3

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Esteve Polls

COVER: Matt Wagner

The beginning of this series seems to be a bit of a slow burn, touching on the same themes of the previous issues. . .Don Alejandro coming to terms with his son being Zorro, The Alcalde's plot to steal Don Pulido's land, and Major Pasquale's counterplot with the Alcalde's wife to do away with him once the wealth of the Pulidos is theirs. We also get to see more of the un-named woman from the first issue as she continues on her own search for Zorro.


Again, it's well written and the art is good, but three issues in (a quarter of the entire run) and we're STILL in exposition mode from the previous series.

ISSUE 4

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Esteve Polls

COVER: Matt Wagner

Looks like things are about to get real! In the process of arresting Don Pulido on trumped up charges, Major Pasquale kills Don Alejandro during a duel. As his father later dies in Diego's arms, his last words reveal that he knew the truth about his son being Zorro. There's no way Zorro's going to let THAT slide! It looks like the threads are finally weaving together on this series.

ISSUE 5

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Esteve Polls

COVER: Matt Wagner

Zorro is out for revenge against the man who murdered his father. . .and during an epic sword duel in a burning horse stable, he reveals his secret identity to Major Pasquale. This isn't going to end well for one of them. But we don't find out who in this issue, which ends on a cliffhanger.


A great, fast read. I can also see some improvement in the art. It was already pretty good, but there's some REALLY nice panels in this issue.

ISSUE 6

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Esteve Polls

COVER: Matt Wagner

In the wake of Don De La Vega's death, the Alcalde flees, leaving Major Pasquale to deal with the uprising that results. In an epic confrontation during the riot, Diego reveals his identity as Zorro and kills Major Pasquale.


After all the chaos, Sergeant Gonzalez is stripped of rank and removed from the military. At the end of the issue we see him cutting "Z" all over his body and blaming Zorro for his misfortune. He names himself "El Galgo" and swears revenge.


A fine issue that resolves most of the plotlines from the original series. . .but Gonzalez giving himself a new name and carving "Z" all over himself concerns me a bit. The previous Zorro series from Topps went overboard with trying to give Zorro a superhero-style rogues gallery. Hopefully this isn't the direction Wagner is deciding to go with this series.

ISSUE 7

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: John K. Snyder III

COVER: Matt Wagner

First the good. . .the new artist for this arc is fantastic! I've said that I consider Francesco Francavilla the best artist for Zorro, but John K. Snyder III comes in a VERY close second. Every panel of this issue is great. I love how he draws Zorro as a shadow constantly in motion, with only a hint of detail.


Now the bad. As I feared, it looks like "El Galgo" AKA Sergeant Gonzalez is going to become a sort of supervillain for Zorro. Unfortunate. No wonder this series only lasted 12 issues if the creators decided they HAD to have themed supervillains in it. 


Overall, bad story. . .great art.

ISSUE 8

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: John K. Snyder III

COVER: Matt Wagner

As if giving Zorro a supervillain wasn't enough, it looks like Wagner is building the un-named woman we met in the first issue who saw her family killed in front of her up into some sort of sidekick character, or possibly another villain. Either way, I see shades of the failure of the Topps Zorro in this series now. Well. . .at least Snyder III's artwork is still top-notch.


I have a sinking feeling this series won't end well. . .

ISSUE 9

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: John K. Snyder III

COVER: Matt Wagner

Oh Lawd! "Lady Zorro" makes her first appearance. Is she going to be a sidekick or a villain? Why, Matt Wagner? WHY? Is Zorro such a shallow character that you ran out of ideas and had to provide him with a rogue's gallery?


In the first series, you gave us a perfect origin story in the first arc. . .a pretty good defining of the dual character of Diego and Zorro in the second. . .and a fantastic Rashomon-style interpretation of Zorro through the eyes of others in the third. . .and THEN a defining of what makes Zorro a hero in the fourth (the first of this series). 


NOW it turns to standard superhero tropes?  Say it ain't so!
Matt Wagner, you have some goddamn 'splaining to do.

ISSUE 10

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: John K. Snyder III

COVER: Matt Wagner

"Lady Zorro" (Couldn't they come up with a better name, for God's sake?) isn't as concerned with honorable battles and fair play as Zorro, and as she massacres any soldiers she finds, Zorro takes the blame because of the Z's she cuts into her victims. As the landowners become nervous, Zorro resolves to find the killer.


Well-worn villain turns into sidekick comic cliche, anyone?
Why, Wagner? Why did you do this? The worst part is that the art is still SO damn good!

ISSUE 11

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: John K. Snyder III

COVER: Matt Wagner

ASS-TASTIC! How about that cover?


Zorro finally confronts Lady Zorro, the disagree and fight, only to be interrupted by El Galgo. I'm sure a team-up will ensue. Why are there superhero comic tropes in my Zorro comics, Wagner?


I wish I could at least still say the art is great, but most of the first half of the book looks sketchy, rushed and unfinished, like the artist has sort of given up. I'm sorry, fellow Zorro fans. . .I had nothing to do with this mess and I'm still sorry.


This series quickly turned into a joke. No wonder we haven't had a new Zorro series since 2012. It fell victim to the same thing the earlier Topps series did. . .supervillains and cheesecake. Am disappoint.

ISSUE 12

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: John K. Snyder III

COVER: Matt Wagner

Thank God it's over.

As expected from last issue's "cliffhanger", Zorro and Lady Zorro team up to defeat El Galgo, then Zorro takes Robin to the Batcave and reveals his identity. . .to a person who he only met a few hours before, who got him blamed for mercilessly killing a bunch of soldiers, and tried to kill him when he told her revenge was no bueno.  


A disappointing ending for a series that started strong.  It feels rushed, forced, and seems to serve only to introduce a cheesecake female Zorro at the expense of a classic character.  A damn shame is what it is.

CONCLUSION

This short-lived series started strong, and the first half was very nicely done.

But then. . .


As soon as I saw the words "Lady Zorro" a handful of issues back, I knew this series wasn't going to end well, and it didn't. As a matter of fact, it ended SO unwell that Zorro hasn't had a regular series since. For huge Zorro fans like myself it's a bitter goddamn shame.


Thanks, Obama.


Up next. . .


What happens when you mix Chtulu and Marvel superheroes?  
You get the Marvel/Dynamite mini-series Invaders Now!


Be there or be square!

Longbox Junk - Zorro Part 2

After an extremely strong start, can the back half of this series keep up? 
Let's find out!

ZORRO

DYNAMITE (2008 - 2010)

PART 2: ISSUES 11 - 20

ISSUE 11

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Cezar Razek

COVER: Francesco Francavilla



Although still not up to the quality of the first story arc, three issues into this one and it's growing on me. It's mostly due to Wagner's writing, but the art seems to have improved a bit. I found a shot of Zorro on Tornado particularly impressive. 

 The story itself is still more obvious setup for things to come. Diego finds himself in competition for Lolita from Major Pasquale, who is seeking her hand to further his and the Alcalde's plot to gain her family's land and the gold they have discovered on it. 

 Not much action in this issue, Diego has more a part in it than Zorro, but with Wagner's writing, that's okay. Not a bad issue. Not great, but not bad at all.  And once again, Francavilla gives us a poster-worthy cover!

ISSUE 12

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Cezar Razek

COVER: Francesco Francavilla

This issue sees the return of Zorro's main antagonist from the first arc, Sgt. Gonzalez, as part of a plot by Major Pasquale and the Alcalde to draw Zorro out. Also, Diego proposes marriage to Lolita in the worst way. . .complimenting her "sturdy teeth". The art is still disappointing, but the story is gaining some ground as threads begin to tie together.

Still not great, but also not bad. I had hoped for better after the origin story. Maybe I miss Francavilla's art and it's souring me on this arc. At least he's still doing covers. His cover for this issue is one of the best in the series. Zorro leaping from a rooftop with the moon behind him, done in only a couple of colors. . .mainly bluish gray and black. I'd love to have a poster of it!

ISSUE 13

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Cezar Razek

COVER: Francesco Francavilla

As the second arc comes to a head, Lolita decides to leave town to avoid marrying either Diego OR Major Pasquale, giving Sgt. Gonzalez in disguise as Zorro the perfect opportunity to attack her on the road. Zorro learns of the plan during an epic confrontation with Major Pasquale, and after defeating him, rushes off to the rescue.

Where Diego had more to do with the story in the first part of this arc, as it comes to a conclusion, Zorro is taking center stage. I'm not impressed with the art, but Wagner portrays the dual identity of Diego/Zorro better than most Batman writers ever could. I really like that angle to this story.

ISSUE 14

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Cezar Razek

COVER: Francesco Francavilla

And so we close out the second arc of this series. It's pretty much all out action, with Zorro confronting Sergeant Gonzalez for the second time on top of a speeding coach. As the defeated Gonzalez falls, he unmasks Zorro and his secret is revealed to Lolita, who swears to keep his secret safe and seals it with a kiss.


All in all a fine conclusion. I wasn't impressed with the art on this arc, but Wagner's writing was reliably good and the story was very engaging. The "Coming Next" blurb on this issue tells me Francovilla is returning to the series, so I have high hopes for the next story arc. This one was good, but not great.

ISSUE 15

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Francesco Francavilla



The first issue of the next story arc brings back Francavilla on art. I said in my review of the first issue that I'd seen better from him, and now I realize why. In that first arc, someone else was on colors. In this one, he inks and colors his own art and it is the fantastic work I am more familiar with.


That said, this issue focuses almost entirely on a dinner party held by what looks like Zorro's new antagonist, General Mancado. During the party, several people give their thoughts on Zorro, presenting different visions varying from that of a supernatural phantom to a wild indian.

 It's an interesting issue that shows how the people (except for one eyewitness) really know nothing about Zorro. All in all though there's hardly any action it's a really good issue.

ISSUE 16

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: John K. Snyder III

Another issue in which General Mancado gathers information about Zorro. This time a pirate captain Mancado works with from time to time tells him a tale of an encounter he and his men had with Zorro that ended up with his best fighter defeated and himself bearing the mark of Zorro as a permanent reminder of the battle. 

 All in all this was a great issue. Zorro vs. Pirates with Francavilla art? How could it not be? It seems this arc will mostly be about the various impressions if Zorro through the eyes of others. I'm liking it!

ISSUE 17

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Francesco Francavilla



Another great issue with General Mancado learning of an encounter with Zorro. . .this time that of a wealthy rancher who has built his fortune on brutal treatment of his workers, until Zorro takes notice and works to ruin him. Finally Zorro marks him and demands he change his ways.

A fine tale about how Zorro doesn't always have to sword fight someone to gain the justice he seeks. The ending of the issue lets us know that Diego is off to Santa Barbara (where the General is based), so I'm guessing Mancado will no longer have to rely on second hand tales of Zorro before long.

ISSUE 18

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Matt Wagner

This issue has more impressions of Zorro, this time overheard by General Mancado as he eavesdrops on peasants as they talk outside the listening ears of their masters. The visions of the hero range from avenging angel of revolution to shapeshifting skinwalker, to bored nobleman just out for thrills. It becomes clear to General Mancado that Zorro is becoming a legend and must be dealt with. 

This was another great issue. I really like the varying perspectives of Zorro that Wagner presents, and Francovilla's art remains fantastic.

ISSUE 19

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Matt Wagner

As this arc (and the series) draws to a close, General Mancado hears tales of Zorro from his local foes, Alcalde Quintero, Major Pasquale, and Sergeant Gonzalez. As he gets closer to the truth of what Zorro really is, he finally decides it's time for him to take direct action. 

Another great issue with good writing and stunning artwork. I've really enjoyed this Rashomon style Zorro tale, but with only one issue left, I hope the ending is worth the buildup.

ISSUE 20

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: John K. Snyder III

I was a bit disappointed in this issue as the conclusion to both the story arc AND the series. I had really been enjoying the Rashomon style storytelling, and the buildup getting here was great. . .but although the writing and art were up to the great standards set by the Wagner/Francavilla team, this issue resolved nothing. Instead, it ended on dual cliffhanger notes.

The first a direct challenge by Zorro to General Mancado to try and stop him. The second was Diego's father discovering the secret door in his home leading to Zorro's cavern hideout.

I'm not sure if this series was originally supposed to continue and was cut short or if these cliffhangers were supposed to be resolved in the following Dynamite Zorro series, "Zorro Rides Again" I believe I recall ZRA had Diego's father being aware of his son's dual identity. Now I'll have to dig THAT run out because it's bugging me how this story arc had no resolution to it.  Not a great ending.

CONCLUSION

Overall, as far as this entire series is concerned, my general impression is that Wagner and Francavilla are an extremely impressive team. The issues without the original creative team in the middle slumped a bit.  Not that they were bad. . .Wagner's writing was consistently good all the way from the first issue to the last.


My second impression is that Dynamite was the right company to trust with the legacy of this great character. I also have the older Topps Zorro and it devolved quickly into costumed superheroics, "Bad Girl" cheesecake, and over the top Batman-Style villains. The Dynamite version is grounded in a more realistic world and is the better for it.

My third impression is that even though this run was impressive in many ways, there was some disappointing loose ends in making Diego part of a secret society that had existed for centuries devoted to seeking justice. . .and then never mentioning it again. I feel that was a waste of a perfectly good addition to the Zorro mythos. Maybe if the series had run more than 20 issues they would have touched on that aspect a bit more.

All in all, I enjoyed this series a lot. If anybody needs an introduction to the character of Zorro, I would highly suggest starting right here, especially with the fantastic first 8 issues re-telling Zorro's origin.  And like I said before, the covers alone are worth the price. This 20 issue batch of Longbox Junk is a definite winner!

Up next. . .

Okay, now that we've seen how great Zorro comics can be. . .let's look at the other end of the scale.  Dynamite's 12 issue follow-up series, Zorro Rides Again.  


Be there or be square!

Longbox Junk - Zorro Part 1

El Zorro! The Fox. . .masked protector of the innocent, master swordsman, and bringer of justice in Mexican California.  One of the major influences behind Batman and one of my all-time favorite characters.  To me, Zorro is THE definition of hero.  But how does this classic character fare in Dynamite's hands, rebooted for a more modern audience?  Let's find out. . .

ZORRO

Dynamite (2008 - 2009)

Part 1: Issues 1 - 10

ISSUE 1

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Matt Wagner

The first issue of this series starts off on a good foot, showing us the future Zorro as a boy raised in the two worlds of his father being a Spanish gentleman and his mother being a Native American. It's narrated by his constant companion, Bernardo as they witness Spanish Cruelty toward peasants and take a Native spirit quest.

Dynamite hits it out of the park with the creative team of Francavilla on art and the legendary Matt Wagner writing. And that Wagner cover! I'd frame it and hang it on my wall. A great start to the series.

ISSUE 2

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Matt Wagner

Another great issue in the re-telling of Zorro's origin by the stellar team of Wagner and Francavilla! In this second chapter, we see young Diego becoming a prodigy with the sword, the death of his mother, and his father's decision to send him to Spain to continue his education as a Spanish Gentleman. A great read with a very nice Wagner cover.  This series is definitely off to a strong start.

ISSUE 3

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Mike Mayhew

The re-telling of the origin of Zorro continues to be a great read as we follow young Diego and Bernardo on a sea voyage to Barcelona, where he is accepted as a student by swordmaster Miguel Escalante. This is turning out to be THE definitive Zorro origin for me.. . .and that Mayhew cover, Fantastic!

ISSUE 4

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Mike Mayhew

I'd give this issue a 4 star review based on the cover alone! It's not just one of the best Zorro covers, but to me one of the best comic covers I've seen! A dark Zorro against a plain red background. So simple, but so great. The cover artists on this series are really hitting home runs on every issue so far.

This issue continues the adventures of young Diego and Bernardo in Barcelona. When an encounter with a beautiful gypsy girl and Diego's rescue of her from soldiers goes wrong, he confesses his desire for justice to Miguel Escalante, who reveals himself to be a member of a secret order devoted to Justice for the downtrodden. A great addition to the mythos, and one that as far as I know has never been used in any other telling of the Zorro story.

ISSUE 5

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Matt Wagner

In this issue, still continuing the re-told origin of Zorro, Young Diego passes the tests to become fully initiated into the secret society of "La Justica" and takes on the code name of El Zorro. He quickly becomes a hunted man in Barcelona due to his reckless nature, and receives a letter from his father in California requesting his return.

Another great issue! I really like the addition of La Justica to the Zorro mythos. Wagner and Francavilla haven't given us a bad issue in this series yet.

ISSUE 6

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Matt Wagner

Lots going on in this issue at young Diego moves closer to fully taking on the mantle of El Zorro. He and Bernardo are attacked by pirates during the voyage to California and must make their way on foot across Mexico. When the arrive, they see that the corruption of the Spanish rulers of California has become absolute.

Bernardo is shown a gold mine by his Indian family and together they decide to use their new fortune to fight for justice. We are also introduced to Zorro's underground hideaway and his horse, Tornado. Another great issue in this re-telling of Zorro's origins!

ISSUE 7

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Matt Wagner

In this issue we see Diego return home in the guise of an entitled Spanish fop. . .much to the disappointment of his father. We also get to see him ride out as Zorro for the first time. Francavilla's double page spread of Zorro and Tornado is worthy of a poster!

I really enjoyed this issue. I know that Zorro was the inspiration for Batman and his double identity, but Bruce Wayne always seemed to me to be a poor disguise. Diego vs. Zorro are miles apart and perfectly written by Wagner as almost two separate people entirely.

The cover by Wagner also perfectly captures the dual identities. . .the brightly-colored Diego contrasted with the dark shadow of Zorro. A VERY nicely done issue all around.

ISSUE 8

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Francesco Francavilla

COVER: Matt Wagner

And so the first arc of this series concludes with Zorro breaking into prison to release an unjustly-accused Padre Mendoza and finally confronting Sergeant Gonzalez in an epic duel that ends in Mendoza bearing the mark of Zorro on his face.

This was a great wrap-up to a fantastic re-telling of Zorro's origin. The team of Francavilla and Wagner have given us something great. Even if this series had ended with 8 issues, I'd be happy with it.

ISSUE 9

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Cezar Rezik

COVER: Francesco Francavilla

This first issue of the next arc is mostly set up for things to come. Well-written set up by Wagner, mind you, but still a bit of a filler issue. The art is disappointing, as one would expect after 8 issues of Francavilla. It just seems cartoony and weak after the previous arc's dark and moody artwork. . .BUT. . .Francavilla makes up for it by providing one of the best covers of the series so far!

The story itself involves Diego's father trying to set his son up with the daughter of a neighboring friend and the Alcalde and his henchman discovering gold on that friend's land, as well as the De La Vega hacienda, and their plotting to take the land and gold for themselves.

After the brilliant re-telling of Zorro's origin, I was disappointed with this issue. It's not bad. . .it's just not as good as I've come to expect up to this point.

ISSUE 10

SCRIPT: Matt Wagner

PENCILS: Cezar Rezik

COVER: Francesco Francavilla

This issue is fairly short on action and long on talking head scenes. Wagner does a decent job of writing, but it still feels like setup for something better. I still can't help but be disappointed in the art, but it seems better in this issue than the last.

The story revolves around Diego's father still trying to get his son married into the Pulido family, with Zorro's nighttime activities foiling the Alcalde's plot to put a spy into the Pulido hacienda.

I hope it gets better from here. This series started extremely strong and is dipping into "Average" territory. 

CONCLUSION

I was extremely pleased with the first 8 issues of this run and the re-told origin of Zorro.  If Dynamite had decided to end this as a mini with those issues, I would have been more than happy.  Hell, the covers are worth the price of admission on their own! As far as I'm concerned, those first 8 issues are now THE definitive  origin of Zorro for me. . .the "Batman: Year One" of the character, as it were.  

Unfortunately, with the departure of Francisco Francavilla as regular artist, the quality took a bit of a dip on the last two issues of this first half of the run.  It's still good, but those first 8 issues are definitely a hard act to follow.

Up next. . .

More Zorro.  Issues 11 - 20.

Be there or be square!

Longbox Junk - Jonah Hex Part 3

The end of this long Jonah Hex trail is in sight.  
Last batch. . .Let's do this!

JONAH HEX (Vol. 2)

ISSUES 51 - 70

DC 2010 - 2011

ISSUE 51

Divining Rod

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Dick Giordano

Cover: Dick Giordano

A pretty poor issue and not a very good way to start this final batch of Jonah Hex.

A tale of schemes and counterschemes ending up in murder and Hex hired to get to the bottom of it. One of the top 5 worst issues in the run, and the bad art by Giordano doesn't help. I've never been a huge fan of his art, I call it "Comic Status Quo". Art that is serviceable, but doesn't stand out in any way. It's just standard, bland, superhero art that doesn't fit Jonah Hex at all. Moving on. . .

ISSUE 52

Too Mean To Die

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Jordi Bernet

Cover: Jordi Bernet

Not good. The second poor issue in a row. After the fantastic 50th issue, I guess I had my hopes up, but it seems Jonah Hex is starting on a downward slide. Not much to say good here about the story or art on this one, except to say that thank God they didn't lasso Giordano into doing another one. . .

ISSUE 53

You'll Never Dance Again

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: William Tucci

Cover: William Tucci

Finally a decent issue after two stinkers. It's a pretty simple tale about Hex hiring a dance hall girl to help him nab a gang of train robbers. He doesn't realize that she's part of the gang. . .betrayal and bloodshed ensues. Not a great story, but not bad at all. The art by Tucci is very nice, and the cover is one of the best of the entire series.

ISSUE 54

Shooting Stars

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Jordi Bernet

Cover: Jordi Bernet

Not the greatest issue, but not the worst. Just sort of average. It's nice that the writers continue their world building by bringing in characters from past issues. . .in this case, Chula (the young sister of the Matador from issue 32) and "The Star Man" (The corrupt lawman killer and badge collector from issue 27).

Hex accidentally finds himself part of one of Star Man's schemes to bring down another corrupt marshal. Bloodshed ensues after Hex is framed for Star Man's crime and he has to break out of jail before he gets hung. Either Bernet's art is getting better or it's starting to grow on me.

ISSUE 55

The Brief Life Of Billy Dynamite

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Vincente Alcazar

Cover: Walt Simonson

An average story all around. A young boy witnesses the death of his parents and blames Hex. Years later, the same young boy stands up to a gang and loses his life. Hex accepts his part in the short tragic life of the boy and takes revenge for him. The art on this issue is as utterly average as the story. The cover is a little odd. It makes Hex's face look almost like a robot. . .I expected a little better from Walt Simonson.

ISSUE 56

More Than Enough & First True Love

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: C.P. Smith and Phil Winslade

Cover: Darwyn Cooke

I really liked this issue a lot. It includes 2 very short stories by 2 fantastic artists. The first has Hex helping an old Indian woman protect her land. The artist nails it. . .the panels of Hex by firelight are horrific. The second story is a flashback to Hex's time as a boy enslaved by the Apache, letting us know that he still visits his first love's (White Fawn) grave every year. A rare moment of sentiment for the crusty bounty hunter.

The rest of the issue is taken up by an interview about the live-action Jonah Hex movie (such optimism that it would be a hit AND talk of a sequel! But THAT'S another story) and a preview of The Red Hood.

So for a Jonah Hex comic that's only half Jonah Hex comic, they did a great job! 
All that AND the best cover of the series so far. No doubt. Great issue all around.

ISSUE 57

Tall Tales

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Jordi Bernet

Cover: Jordi Bernet

This was a very simple story, but I liked it quite a bit for all the DC western cameo appearances by Hex's All Star Western and Weird Western co-stars. . .Nighthawk, Cinnamon, Scalphunter, Bat Lash, and The Trigger Twins. Too bad El Diablo was missing. . .

Two boys swap unbelievable tales of Jonah Hex, then sneak out to see him for themselves when they hear he's in town. They stumble into the middle of all the heroes (and Hex) fighting a gang of bandits. Like I said, a simple story, but I got a kick out of the cameos. Unfortunately, hardly any of the other heroes get much time except for Scalphunter.

ISSUE 58

Every Bullet Tells A Story

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Giancarlo Caracuzzo

Cover: Giancarlo Caracuzzo

A decent tale about plots within plots and betrayals within betrayals that Hex finds himself mixed up in. We get to see what's become of the showgirl Hex shot in the back and paralyzed in issue #53 (She's bitter and vengeful, of course), but other than that it's not the worst tale of the bunch, but not the best. The art is utterly average. 

ISSUE 59

Riders On The Storm

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Jordi Bernet

Cover: Jordi Bernet

I was a bit confused by this issue. . .

It's not bad in itself. A pretty simple story about Hex helping a man escape from an ambush set by his brother, who wants to kill him. I was confused because the character of the Gray Ghost was really played up and introduced in the first part of the story (Gray Ghost is from Jonah Hex vol 1. . .he's like the Old West version of The Punisher, going after those he feels betrayed the Confederacy), and he shows up out of the blue at the end of it, but Hex acts like it's not even a thing. 

This issue definitely feels incomplete, like setup for a resolution in a later issue maybe.

ISSUE 60

Blood Lies Bleeding

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Brian Stelfreeze

Cover: Brian Stelfreeze

A pretty light issue saved by the stellar artwork of Brian Stelfreeze. 
Just look at that cover! In the top 10 of this series, easily.

Hex guns down most of his bounty's family while trying to capture him. The lone survivor swears vengeance and in a 2 page epilogue with a "The end. . .for now" teaser, what seems to be a new villain for Hex is introduced (a Mr. Destry). Other than that and the fantastic art, there's really not much here. . .

ISSUE 61

Honeymoon Bullets

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Jordi Bernet

Cover: Jordi Bernet

It's nice that the creators decided to tell a tale of Hex's married days to Mei Ling and her beginning to try and "civilize" him, but there's really not that much here. There's a pretty good bit of sarcastic humor at the end of the story. . .a punchline which the rest of the issue just feels like setup for. Nice to see Mei Ling, but it feels like a waste. . .

ISSUE 62

The Package

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Eduardo Risso

I'm a fan of Risso's art, and it's reliably great in this issue. . .too bad the story isn't as good. It's a fairly simple tale about Hex being hired to escort an. . .octopus. . .yeah, an octopus. . .to a circus freakshow. When competitors try to steal it, bloody mayhem ensues.

ISSUE 63

Bury Me In Hell

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Jordi Bernet

Cover: Jordi Bernet

I thought this was a pretty good issue. Not great, but better than average. Hex is hired to track down and kill a child molesting murderer called Loco. During the hunt, Hex flashes back to his younger days when one of his friends was killed by a similar monster. This series has always delved into the darkness of the human heart, so even though the writing has been uneven, I like that it goes places most mainstream comics won't even touch.

I sort of wish this book had been a Vertigo title. I think it would have been a perfect fit for that line. Also, Bernet's art seems to be getting better. When you read the whole run at a time, you can see the evolution from 2006 to 2011 of their (mostly) regular artist.

ISSUE 64

Lovesick

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Nelson DeCastro

Cover: Nelson DeCastro

A pretty thin, but pretty funny, tale about Hex coming to a Mexican town in the middle of a festival and a woman who tries her best to seduce him. Hex refuses until she tries to kill him, then he teaches her a lesson by giving her what she wants, then leaving when the sun rises.

Her running after him shouting "I love you, Gringo!" is hilarious. Reminds me of the scene in "High Plains Drifter" where Clint Eastwood grabs the hotel owner's wife and drags her upstairs and she's totally in love with him in the morning. All in all, a fun read.

ISSUE 65

Snowblind

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Jordi Bernet

Cover: Jordi Bernet

Not a great issue at all. An extremely thin story about Hex snowed in and wounded with a man who doesn't know Hex is hunting him and saves his life, then is shown rare mercy by the normally-ruthless bounty hunter. The art seems rushed, the cover is lousy, and the story is weak. Moving on. . .

ISSUE 66

Casket Canyon

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Fiona Staples

Cover: Fiona Staples

A thin story elevated by the fantastic artwork by Fiona Staples. Hex stumbles on a town forced to cannibalism during a lengthy blizzard. . .and that's about it. There's a few good moments with a woman and her children, where Hex tries to convince them they don't have to do what they've been doing, but other than that, not much else. The art is the best part of the story, perfectly capturing the thin, wasted look of the starving townfolk.

ISSUE 67 

Ghost Town

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Jordi Bernet

Cover: Jordi Bernet

A pretty poor issue about a man who wants revenge against Hex for killing his father, so he scars his face, dresses in a Confederate uniform, and goes on a killing spree so that Hex becomes the one hunted by bounty hunters. 

Hex catches up to him in a town devastated by pox and collects the bounty. . .on himself. A nice twist that doesn't keep the story from feeling like it's rushed and half-baked with a wasted villain they could have done a better two parter with. One and done is nice, but sometimes it just doesn't work.

ISSUE 68

Murder in Cottonwood

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Rafael Garres

Cover: Rafael Garres

A pretty decent story about Hex wrongly accused of a killing and him finding the right man for the posse who comes to hang him. The art is good (I like Garres' dark, twisted, exaggerated style), but it is so wrong for this pretty straightforward story. So not a bad issue, but not great. 

Here's the thing that confuses me, though. . .It's issue #68 and the series ends with issue #70. This is the first issue with a letters page. Did the creators NOT know that there were only 2 more issues to go? It just seems extremely strange to have a letters page BEGIN 2 issues from the end of a series. . .

ISSUE 69

The Old Man

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Jeff Lemire

Cover: Jeff Lemire

First off. . .that cover! It's about one of the craziest covers I've seen on ANY comic. Fantastic!

The issue itself is about Hex meeting his father for the last time as he dies in the desert after finally striking gold and getting shot by bandits. It's a good story piece. . .too bad it seems a bit rushed. 

I can't decide if I like the art or not (Except the awesome cover, that is). The artist has a very exaggerated style that I like, but doesn't really fit the intimate nature of the story of a son watching his father die in the desert. 

All in all a pretty good issue that brings closure to all the flashbacks to Jonah's early life we've seen during this series.

ISSUE 70

Weird Western

Script: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

Pencils: Ryan Sook and Diego Olmos

Cover: Ryan Sook

Here we are at the end of the trail. . .70 issues of Jonah Hex Vol. 2. The final issue is basically a mix of visions Hex has of different versions of his own death while he lies injured. Or are they visions? The question is never really answered. It's a pretty good ending to the series, with excellent artwork. 

CONCLUSION

The main conclusion I've come to at the end of this series is that although it's great that they maintained the same writing team through 70 issues, I feel that this title would have been better off with rotating creative teams doing one shots and short story arcs, which worked well on Batman's Legends of The Dark Knight, and would have been a perfect fit here.

The regular writers were pretty good, but they rarely managed to reach a level beyond "pretty good". The rotating artists were great, but it seems that 50% of the issues relied on Jordi Bernet. He definitely evolved as an artist through the series' run, but more artists would have been even better.

Last. . .I feel this book would have been not just good, but great, if it had been under the Vertigo imprint, where the artists and writers would have been able to delve even more deeply into the darkness that dwells in mankind.

All in all, I enjoyed this series, but I feel sad that, on taking it all in at once, and with the hindsight that ten years down the road affords, I see that it COULD have been so much better.

Up next. . .

More western action with another of my all-time favorite characters. . .ZORRO!
Dynamite's 20 issue run of the classic shadowy swordsman.

Be there or be square!