Jonah Hex #69

Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti
Art by Jeff Lemire

Having read this, I don't understand how it could have taken so long for Jeff Lemire to draw an issue of Jonah Hex.  He's perfect for this title, as he draws almost everyone as ugly as Hex is, although he still manages to make Hex look worse.  In fact, he's done one of the best jobs I've ever seen of making Hex's facial scars look raw and painful.

This issue really suits Lemire's sensibilities as an artist as well.  Jonah has a final confrontation with his father, as they sit out in the desert and have a conversation.  I don't want to give too much away, aside from the fact that it appears unlikely that they will ever meet again.  Some of this is familiar ground for Lemire, as his Essex County trilogy touched on the theme of estranged family members (if you haven't read this, you really should).

Jonah Hex has felt stale for a while now, but as it's relaunch looms, with a new status quo for Hex, it's nice to see Gray and Palmiotti tie up some loose ends and try something a little different for a change.  I think this may be the first issue of this title where we don't see anyone shoot anybody.