Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1 Review – A Subtle Start

Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1 (DC Comics, 10/7/26): Writer/Artist Michael Walsh takes readers to the Old West, where a retired Jonah Hex searches for peace from a troubled life, but the forces of darkness have other plans. Michael Walsh’s tale brings plenty of mood and atmosphere, but this first issue is light on impact. Verdict: Good, but it’s a wait-and-see.

• Writer: Michael Walsh
• Artist: Michael Walsh
• Colorist: Toni-Marie Griffin
• Letterer: Becca Carey
• Cover Artist: Michael Walsh (cover A)
• Publisher: DC Comics
• Release Date: October 7, 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1:

First Impressions:

I love Jonah Hex as a concept. Mixing the supernatural with the Old West around a scarred gunslinger is the stuff of legend, so I was looking forward to what Matt Walsh could do here. After the read-through, Walsh gets the character and the vibe, but I wasn’t satisfied.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

The issue begins with a group of bandits preparing to ambush a wagon train. Before the deed can commence, Jonah Hex arrives and drops the would-be robbers where they stand, including a new recruit who joined out of desperation instead of malice. That young man, like so many before him, haunts Hex throughout the issue.

Hex wakes up from a troubled sleep and prepares his horse, Peanut, for a ride into the town of Ashecott. As he dresses and leaves, ghostly figures hover in the shadows, just out of his direct line of sight. He closes his eyes to block them out whenever possible. When he enters Aschecott, Hex heads for the saloon to drink his troubles away. A young boy named Charlie peppers Hex with questions about his past, to which Hex tells the boy to leave him alone.

Inside the saloon, Hex’s reputation precedes him. A prostitute offers her services, but retracts them when she sees his face. The prostitute’s pimp – a very large man – knocks Hex to the ground to prove he’s not afraid of the legendary gunslinger. Bruised and frustrated, Hex leaves. Before he reaches his horse, Hex is approached by a little girl named Annie, who the locals say has strange perceptions that she inherited from her European mother.

Annie asks Hex for his services to kill her father. She explains that the man who says he’s her father is not, and that there’s something dark hiding beneath his skin. The father steps up to take Annie home and tells Hex to ignore her strange stories. That night, Annie is horrified when a talking spider tries to crawl into her mouth. When she runs to her father’s room, all she finds is an empty skin suit.

The issue ends with a mysterious stranger riding into Ashecott in answer to the ringing of the town bell.

How is the story in Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1?

Michael Walsh gets the mood, atmosphere, and the creep factor. So on that point, Jonah Hex works as a solid entry to add a little horror flavor to the DC Universe. The setting of Ashecott is filled with a bevvy of distinctive personalities that perfectly fit the setting, and Walsh’s dialog is excellent.

That said, the issue falls short in two areas. First, you get multiple ideas that don’t quite come together. Each element doesn’t need to be revealed all at once or explained in great detail, but you have to have a sense of which elements are important or not, and show that they contribute to the main narrative. For example, Hex sees the ghost of the young man he killed in the prologue. Why is that important? Will the ghost say something about the conflict to come? How is that ghost different than the multiple other ghosts that simply hang around?

Second, there needed to be one or more wow moments in issue #1 that demand a new reader’s attention and get the reader curious about issue #2. Beyond the skin suit reveal, the issue is very sedate and almost informational. To be fair, Walsh does a great job of informing a new reader about Hex’s history through the dialog from the townspeople, so this issue is a solid introduction, but getting to know a character isn’t enough. There should be a compelling reason to understand why Hex would get involved with Annie’s predicament, or face off against the dark stranger, or undertake any challenge Walsh has planned. In short, it’s a lot of well-done setup but not enough hook.

How is the art in Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1?

The success of this issue is due to Michael Walsh’s atmospheric, gritty, noir-inspired art. Every scene has one or more bottomless shadows, especially on Hex’s face, to emphasize the darkness all around every character, even in the middle of broad daylight. The gunfight is choreographed with all the grace and dramatic tension of a Sergio Leone film. From front to back, there’s nothing to complain about when it comes to the visuals.

Characters

Jonah Hex is the focal point of the issue, which shouldn’t be a surprise. Michael Walsh’s crack at the character paints Hex as older, disillusioned, tired, and ready to be done with the world. He finds comfort in booze and solitude, which makes him perfectly primed to get back into the gunslinging business when trouble comes calling.

Originality & Concept Execution

It’s clear Michael Walsh knows where he’s taking the story, but again, this issue is almost all setup and very little hook. You get hints of bad things happening, particularly with Annie’s “father,” but it’s too soon to tell how original the concept is until we see more in future issues.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Strong mood and atmosphere
• Tight dialogue
• Intriguing setup

Room for Improvement

• Sedate pacing
• Setup overshadows the hook
• The focus could be stronger

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2

Final Thoughts:

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Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1 is off to a promising start when an aged Jonah Hex wants to be left alone, only to find the darkness won’t listen. Michael Walsh’s turn as writer and artist goes a long way toward capturing the atmosphere and tone of the supernatural Old West. That said, the issue is more setup than hook, so you’ll have to wait until issue #2 to get pulled in.

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