All-Star Western #27 Review

Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by: Moritat
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 29, 2014

Step Right Up

Jonah Hex argues with Superman that he should make the World better, but instead is like a certain Jewish carpenter.  His sexy gal pal then decides to take him to a Jonah Hex exhibit and thinks that will go just fine.  It doesn't and Jonah drives off, gets drunk and ends up under a truck.

The moral of All-Star Western #27 is never go to an exhibit that may include your dead body. Seriously, who wants to see their own carcass?  Not me and certainly not Jonah Hex.  Pamiotti and Gray continue Jonah's tour of the DCU and this stop is Metropolis.  Superman shows up as the welcome wagon, but Jonah is not impressed.  I like the interaction between the two, though it comes off as forced and unnecessary.  Hex needs to find the House of Mystery and is no closer after talking to the Man of Steel.  

On a side note, I have been wondering about these cameos since Bruce Wayne made an appearance. Constantine and Swamp Thing were a great fit and  helped carry the story forward.  Bruce Wayne and Superman didn't fit and really did nothing for the story.  Is it DC forcing these cameos???  The book is so good on it's own and doesn't need unnecessary guest appearances.  I'm getting off my soapbox now.

Back to the issue, things start getting fun when Gina takes Jonah to a museum showing a Jonah Hex exhibit.  I say fun because you know right away  this will not end well.  The fun is seeing how long it takes Jonah to completely lose it.  To his credit, he almost makes it all the way before being kicked out.

Jonah then storms off, gets wasted and decides to drive his hog.  Bad decision kids.  The issue ends with Jonah kissing the pavement under a truck.  

This issue was a bit more filler than I'm used to from Palmiotti and Gray.  Not much happens until the end.  Granted, the end is a game changer and I'm not sure what's going to happen, though If things go as they have, either Phantom Stranger or Dead Man will make an appearance.  The name of the All-Star Western game is fun, and while Jonah always fits the bill, this was one of the weaker issues in recent times.  It pains me to write that because this has been one of my favorite books each and every issue.

Moritat's art is good this issue, it's just not his best.  I didn't really like his Superman and every else just looked a bit more average than usual.

Bits and Pieces:

All-Star Western stalls a bit this month.  Palmiotti and Gray give us Superman, but he seems forced into the book and is not very necessary.  The ending is a great setup for the next issue and I can't wait to see how Jonah gets out of his current situation.  I love All-Star Western and even a mediocre issue is better than most, I just hope and now expect more each issue.

7.0/10