Human remains, urine and spit – it’s one reviling episode of Jonah Hex as he is captured by the traveling carnival that killed his almost-friend in episode one. In part four of “Two-Gun Mojo†the carnival ring leader takes Hex down memory lane as he relays the origins of his monstrosity of a show. What he does to Wild Bill Hickok’s body will make your skin crawl. Still Wild Bill is only the beginning of this band of the undead and the Doc wants to make Hex a part of it. Hex’s narrow escape from this zombie-like state is one surprise that you won’t see coming.
As far as motion comics go Joe Lansdale takes it a step further by interjecting the time period of post Civil War and how the west experiences it. As Hex follows the trail of Doc’s circus, and keeps one step ahead of the bounty hunters, a microcosm of just how wild the west was comes out. Lansdale adds complexity by showing a black man in a confederate uniform being tortured by Native Americans. It makes for interesting commentary on the complex relationships that came out as a result of the bloodiest war fought on American soil.
The language is also grittier. Hex is ornery and his choice of words reflects that. The running joke of Hex’s scar is as always featured. With all the elements in place Lansdale has created a world in which things are never black and white, but still keeps his tongue firmly in cheek with references to this romanticized time. Perhaps it is because Lansdale has written so many mystery and western novels that the natural flow of Hex’s narration is thought-provoking and will have you chuckling at the same time.
Based on his award-winning series of the same name that was originally released as a graphic novel in the early ‘90s, Lansdale has recreated a motion comic that’s a thrill a minute and loaded with suspense. Just how will Hex get out from being surrounded by Apaches and his current worst enemy – You’ll have to tune in to find out.
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