From DC Comics. Writers, Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti. Penciler, Tony DeZuniga. Inkers, Tony DeZuniga and John Stanisci. Colorist, Rob Schwager. Letterer, Rob Leigh. Special thanks to Rodney Ramos.

This is a brand new story, an original graphic novel if you will. It starts small then involves Jonah’s mother, an old enemy, and surprise family members. This is a movie of a comic.

At this point, I’m just sold on everything every one of these creators does. The first volume of Jonah Hex made me reevaluate my thoughts on what I assumed of the entire western genre. This story shows the universality of human stories that maybe get a little extra punch in this setting.

Something about the technology, or lack of it. Finding out information only because it rode out to meet you. Riding for days if not weeks for one conversation, then back at it a moment later. Not a better life, not a life I yearn for. But in a way a more noble and meaningful life.

Readers know that Jonah has an overall simple code but a complicated history that formed it. Where did the scar come from? Why is he wearing that uniform? While those questions have been answered in the past, this tale goes further back. His story isn’t just about those moments as an adult it is also about how that adult arrived at that point. The childhood that is full of loneliness, of violence, of those who have convinced themselves their poor decisions are in the right. Who is the mother, who is the father, that created such a person?

What I have come to love from this version of Hex is his lack of bullshit. He doesn’t say any, and he doesn’t put up with any. This is how it is, and he’s going to give a moment for a decision or else he’ll make it for you. There’s not only a confidence and arrogance to this but also experience. A life worth of staring death in the face puts a different kind of perspective into a person.

I purposely avoided spoiling the story because it is well worth being surprised, just like I was. The family drama. A villain worthy of challenging Jonah. Jonah’s resourcefulness, his wants and desires, his sense of right and wrong. The dog. Oh, the dog. All of it makes for a great story that can simultaneously hook a reader on both westerns and comics.