ALL-STAR WESTERN #23

Review by: ToddFrazier

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Avg Rating: 4.2
 
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Story by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti
Art by Moritat & Staz Johnson
Cover by Howard Porter

Size: 40 pages
Price: 3.99

A good bottle of whiskey, a sturdy horse and a willing woman. If only it were as easy as that, Gray, Palmiotti & Moritat reveal, in this issue of All Star Western, it is far from that easy.

Hex has been trapped in the current timeline Gotham City. The second act of this issue, Hex is allowed relax the best way he knows. Whiskey and a woman. They met, they drink, they “connect”, they chat, they “reconnect”. The post connect chat unveils Hex’s simplistic views, which stuck in the craw of some readers. But should Gray & Palmiotti take on this character’s view point be that surprising? As long as he can dispense justice, get some gold, drink and womanize, Hex could care less otherwise.

What should be the topic of conversation is the amazing third act of the book. For all the comedic elements of this storyline, this act has lesser comics, books and movies green with envy. A horrific public act of revenge is thwarted by Hex, but it’s the compelling pages that follow the event that make this my Pick of the Week.
The panels capture the emotion of the aftermath of an event, that in one form or another, has been haunting our current society. It’s the realization after the act as seen in Hex’s reaction which is violence has consequences and has changed over time from the simple shoot outs to current complex and random events of the times.

Hex may have simple views but Hex finally awakes to the fact that these are not simple times. This is not a simple a story, it’s almost of master piece of a reflection of our current issues in the eyes of a simple man.

Story: 5 - Excellent
Art: 5 - Excellent

Comments

  1. Dang it! I have never read a Jonah Hex story, nor have I had any desire to do so—until now.

    Keep up the great reviews, and insightful writing! Once again, I’ll pick this up based on your recommendation.

    Might even read it with a whiskey in hand …

    • I recommend some Crown Maple or Jamerson, both neat. Thanks for the kind words. I look forward to hearing your opinion. Take care Charlie!!

    • Well THAT, as they say, turned out to be a whole evening’s entertainment! Might seem a strange connection to make, but I found the third act reminded me of another recent, out-of-my-usual-zone discovery–the 2012 movie “Jack Reacher.” Both featured anti-social protagonists, and positive depictions of gun club culture. NIce counterpoint to more predictable stuff!

      I also loved the “cavalry coming to the rescue” twist in this issue of “All-Star Western,” and plan to pick up future issues!

      Thanks again for the recommendation(s)! Bonus question: I found myself wondering, given access to a modern day liquor cabinet, WWJHD: “What Would Jonah Hex Drink”?

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