Jonah Hex #33

One-sentence summary: Cooke illustrates a beautifully simple tale showing Hex to be the true anti-hero that he is.

I, as a general rule, like the latest volume of Jonah Hex. Occasionally there'll be an issue I'm not a huge fan of, but this was not the case with 33. Now, am I completely biased because I'm a Cooke fanboy? Almost certainly. But that doesn't stop me from appreciating the harsh story, narrated in an appropriately dated style.

I think one-shots are risky things. Sometimes they (probably rightfully so) feel like filler, just the stuff that takes place between story arcs and won't find collection in a trade. Other one-shots are just meaningless fun, or maybe they'll feature some big-name guest artist or writer. Others will be an issue-long illustration of a character, reminding the reader of who they are. This issue's a mix: it's a guest artist (Cooke), but it's definitely a quality character study. Despite being a fan of the series, the climatic panel of this comic was a surprise, one which initially surprised me, but as it settled in I was immensely satisfied with the story.

So, did it help this issue was illustrated by Cooke? Of course -- but it could've been illustrated by just about anyone and I'd still have liked it. As is, I loved it.

The Spirit #8

One-sentence summary: Honestly one of the best books on the market, and if you're not reading it, start.

Darwyn Cooke is one of my favorite guys in the comic book industry right now. New Frontier was simply phenomenal, and his work on the Spirit is fantastic. He's the perfect fit for it, too.

I sincerely can't think of enough good things to say about the Spirit. You have these wonderful one-shots, many connecting through specific character interactions, all of which tell well-plotted stories with art that I adore more than, yunno, words and junk. And, on top of all this, you have a nice dollop of old-fashioned humor that fits the book (and the characters) perfectly.

This is a great book. There aren't too many other books out right now I would claim that of; maybe none. This, however, is great. This is the sort of comic that could get people into comic books, or the sort they enjoy without ever reading another comic.

The Spirit #8 doesn't disappoint in that regard, reuniting our masked protagonist with his secondary romantic interest (which is all sexual tension and nothing else, which makes it all the better), both of them (indirectly) facing off against the main villain, it seems, of the series. It's just a spectacular issue in an incredible series. Highest recommendations for this book.