With this week’s issue of Jonah Hex, co-writers Jimmy Palmiotti
and Justin Gray addressed a key question of the character – why, years
after the Civil War ended, does Hex still wear a Confederate Army
uniform?
The answer, as they are with every question asked about Jonah Hex, is complicated.
We spoke with Gray about the issue as well as the upcoming multi-part storyline to come.
Newsarama: The controversial nature of Jonah Hex is the main theme for this issue…
Justin Gray: Yes, the idea was to address why, or at least pose
some reasons as to why Jonah continued to wear a confederate uniform
after the Civil War ended.
NRAMA: Naturally the Confederate gray, just like the rebel flag, is viewed as a racist symbol.
JG: It is and understandably so. Both symbolize a terrible time
for this country, not only in race relations but it contradicts the
basic ideals set forth in the constitution. There’s no getting around
history in this case, but as we see in Jonah Hex #36 the
rationale for wearing the uniform is multifaceted. This is probably one
of the most layered, psychological and complex stories we’ve done.
There’s a subtlety and a dynamic at work that tries to examine the
morality and self-loathing that clouds Jonah Hex.
NRAMA: So why does Hex still wear the uniform?
JG: That’s an open-ended discussion. We offer a number of
reasons, but at the core of this is a fictional character with a
strange and mysterious life that has to remain intact. One of the
storytelling elements Jimmy and I try to maintain in this book is that
the reader can interpret many questions raised by the series
differently. I prefer stories that make you think about them after
they’ve ended. Hopefully that is the case here. The real trick was to
present the racist side of this argument within historical context of
what white southern males were facing after the war ended. It is easy
to manufacture a caricature of hatred like we saw with the Cohen
Brothers’ Oh Brother Where Art Thou, but we wanted a moment that was more claustrophobic and frightening.
NRAMA: What motivated you guys to write this kind of story? I don’t know that it has been covered before.
JG: We strive to work with the conventions of a western in as
many different ways as possible. You’ve always got horses, bullets and
morality, but because there is no other character like Hex it is
important to keep pushing that difference. What separates Hex from
other comic book westerns is the variety of stories that can be told.
This is a story that ties directly into his moral fabric and
illustrates the complexities of Hex as a man.
NRAMA: Heady stuff.
JG: Yea, that probably explains the sales figures.
NRAMA: But the trades do well correct?
JG: They do, but we’re always thinking of the individual issues.
It is hard to believe we’ve produced five trades and with the exception
of two storylines the book has been single-issue tales. You would think
that kind of old school approach to storytelling, particularly when the
average reader has to make a financial investment in storylines that
are spread across dozens of issues would have more of an impact.
Obviously we’re going to test the six issue waters in a big storyline.
NRAMA: Can you tell us about this bigger story?
JG: I don’t want to talk too much about it yet. The importance
is there, the size and scope and number of guest stars makes it worth
doing. It is amazing to me that after three years of compressed stories
that there’s a real challenge to breaking out of that mold into a
larger format. The villains and I dislike the concept of using villains
in Hex because we strive to make it a book that stands apart from the
superhero formula, but they are important to the tale.
NRAMA: Let’s talk about the art in this issue. Rafa Garres
returns and we remember him from the cover to the Russ Heath issue and
then he illustrated the Return to Devil’s Paw issue that is part of the
new trade collection.
JG: Yes, Luck Runs Out is the new trade that will be
out October 21st. I urge people to check it out because it features the
widest array of storylines to date. As for Rafa Garres, the man is a
brilliant artist with a style that is so vibrant, dynamic and organic
that I’m stunned each time I see it. His art is visceral. It is insane
the way he structures the panels, his figures are tortured and look
like they’re trying to rip through the paper. That’s what made him
perfect for this story; it is such an emotional hot button topic in
terms of racism, the KKK and sickening hatred that people are capable
of. There’s also a dream-like quality to the work that adds to the
historical significance. The coloring he employs is dirty, earthen and
muddy without losing focus.
NRAMA: I take it we can expect to see more of his work on Jonah Hex in the future?
JG: I think that is a safe bet.
