One of the most underappreciated characters in one of the most underappreciated genres in comics gets resurrected and reinvigorated thanks to the writing tandem of inker Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray. A duo who worked together on a series of holiday-themed Punisher one-shots (none of which were anything if at all to write home about mind you), both writers are firing on all cylinders with Jonah Hex: Face Full of Violence, which collects the first six issues of the revamped series. Instead of focusing on one continuing storyline, Face Full of Violence contains six seperate stories all involving our favorite scarred outlaw, as he pursues kidnappers, has run-ins with those from his past, and generally takes on all comers without blinking an eye. The stories themselves are gritty and violent without going over the top in terms of gore and profanity (this isn't a Vertigo title, it's under the DC banner), but it retains plenty of attitude and a mature tone that isn't seen in mainstream comics too often these days. The art by Luke Ross and original Jonah Hex artist Tony Dezuniga is nothing short of great, making an already sweet package even, well, sweeter. All in all, if you dig old western comics or have fond memories of a man named Hex, this is a must own.

In a comic medium of decompressed stories and multi-part crossovers, Jonah Hex completely exposes an old school tradition by crafting clever, witty and meaningful stories in stand alone issues. Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti and Luke Ross are able to take a classic DC character, in a under appreciated genre, and captivate the audience. This collection offers readers a little taste of what the monthly title has been able to deliver on a monthly basis. Very happy that I've been getting the monthly title but this trade will sit on the bookshelf with some of my other titles.

Once again the team of Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti deliver with the goods. In the wake of western shows like Deadwood taking off DC has brought back probably their most prominent western character Johna Hex.

Now this is where I say something prolific and inspiring to make you want to buy the book. The truth is, it's more then worth it and even if you're not a western fan, like myself, the books still worth it. It had depth, great character moments, and the pretty art you all go crazy for.

Buy it damnit.

JONAH HEX: A FACE FULL OF VIOLENCE collects the first six issues of the new series focusing on everyone's favorite weird western bounty hunter. Jonah Hex will never win any beauty contests, but he's got more than enough speed to quickly dispatch anyone who tells him so. Thankfully, writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, along with artists Luke Ross and Tony DeZuniga, take Hex back to his incarnation from DC's classic `70s series "Weird Western Tales" and "Jonah Hex" - gone are the days of the inexplicable futuristic adventurer "Hex", as well as the sleazy white trash version from Joe Lansdale and Tim Truman. If anything, this Hex is patterned more after Clint Eastwood from Hang 'Em High, and the influences show in Ross' beautiful painted art. These six issues are individual stories, and not a continuous arc, pitting Hex against crooked law officials, vengeful nuns, the Texas Rangers, and other interesting opponents. Another classic DC western character, Bat Lash, appears in issue # 3, hopefully foreshadowing more appearances by others. The stories move quickly, are to-the-point, and wrap up nicely, traits that are rare for an ongoing series these days.

I have to hand it to DC for resurrecting this classic character in his original form. Jonah Hex had really drifted off the mark over the past 20-odd years. This is a welcome return. While Western characters certainly helped to keep the comics industry alive during the dark days of the Kefauver hearings, I don't know if readers would take to a revival of squeaky-clean heroes like Hopalong Cassidy or Roy Rogers... but Hex, or Scalphunter, Cinnamon, or even Arak Red-Hand would certainly be welcome. DC has a rich stable of Western characters - it's about time they were dusted off and given the spotlight.