All-Star Western #26 Review

Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by: Jeff Johnson and Moritat
Cover Price:  $2.99
Release Date: December 31, 2013

The Guest List Keeps Growing

All-Star Western has been my go to book for fun and excitement.  The book had a Dwarf with a chain gun, for Christ's sake. Since Booster Gold dumped Jonah into the present day DC Universe, things have become even more interesting.  Palmiotti and Gray showed Jonah dealing with modern society in a fun way without relying on cliches.  Jonah has not been alone in his adventures, either.  A steady stream of DC favorites have joined him, from Bruce Wayne to Swamp Thing.  All-Star Western #26 continues the fun train, even though it doesn't really get out of the station in the plot department.

Last issue ended with Swamp Thing's arrival in the desert and all was not well with the big guy.  It was obvious that he had been poisoned by the Black Mercy plant.  Most of this issue deals with it's effects on Jonah.  We get to see into the mind of Hex and though it's not pretty, it's about what I'd expect from a scarred Civil War Vet stuck in the future.

After coming to his senses and almost killing Constantine, we get a little more story progression.  Swamp Thing tells the gang that the House of Mystery is in Metropolis and after a carnal pit stop, Jonah and his lady head to the City of Tomorrow.  Of course things don't go so smoothly and they are confronted with...I'm sure you can guess.

Again, Palmiotti and Gray really only progress the story by baby steps, but I can't help myself, I still loved it. The interaction with Constantine, Swamp Thing and Jonah is great.  One typo notwithstanding, everything in the book continues to be so much fun.  The only issue I have is the new guest star reveal.  Hopefully I'm wrong, but it just feels forced.

Regular artist Moritat shares duties with Jeff Johnson and everything looks good.  I usually don't like multiple artists, but the story transition lends itself to it.  I have been a fan of Moritat, but I like Johnson's art better here.  Don't get me wrong, both do a good job, I just prefer Johnson's pages more.

Bits and Pieces:

All-Star Western #26 continues Jonah Hex's fun tour through the modern DC Universe.  The story kind of stalls a bit, but Palmiotti and Gray make it so much fun anyway.  I question the final reveal, but the book hasn't let me down yet.  If you want a fun read, here it is.

8.0/10