Jinny Hex Special #1: Be a Part of My Legacy

The Jinny Hex Special #1, following the descendant of the one and only Jonah Hex who many will know from her time in Bendis’ Young Justice series where she teamed up with characters like Superboy, the Teen Lantern and more in a multidimensional struggle, could be one of the most surprising comics I’ve read in all of 2020. By all accounts, this special should be an easy going fun one-shot that brings enough charm to make it worth a few bucks, but it is so much more.

The Jinny Hex Special #1 is a triumph.

Sometimes a comic can surprise you in the best of ways, delivering on not just everything you expected and wanted but also on things you had no idea you needed. From her time in Young Justice, it was easy to see that Jinny Hex was an interesting character with a story worth telling. She’s not quite as well known as her great, great (or something) grandfather Jonah Hex, but in the Jinny Hex Special #1 it’s easy to see that she has the potential to become one of the greats. I knew I wanted to see her more involved in a comic outside of a large scale team up, but now I know that I need to see a Jinny Hex ongoing series.

There is so much to unpack in this slightly longer than typical special issue, from Jinny’s childhood trauma to her current life situation following the more spectacular events with Superboy and company, to the reappearance of someone who could be her father to some sort of wild west scenario that is all-too-fitting. Magdalene Visaggio pulls out all the stops and weaves everything together with incredible precision, laying a comprehensive foundation for a character that feels poised to star in their own series. The depth of heart from Jinny’s lost parents, her unmistakable charm despite such rough times, the mysteries that surround her trunk full of “weird stuff” and an instant classic new villain named Three-Eyed Jack all help to make this issue something truly special.

The story is impeccably well-rounded, giving all the right twists and turns you want while never forgetting the heart needed to give the narrative the substance needed to pack a punch. It’s remarkable just how well this one-shot tells the story of Jinny Hex versus Three-Eyed Jack while also diving into Jinny’s past and setting up her future. The Godseye pulled from Jinny’s trunk is a near-perfect catalyst to really give the story an edge and the visuals it creates gives Gleb Melkinov and Luis Guerrero an awesome chance to shine with their artwork. The designs feel unique but still capture the western aesthetic needed for the character, grounding the special in a more genre-based approach. The half page full view of Three-Eyed Jack with the Godseye inserted into his head is something you won’t forget anytime soon, but neither are the emotional beats that weigh on Jinny.

The chemistry between the narrative strengths and precise artistic execution makes the Jinny Hex Special #1 issue feel like it is firing on all cylinders from start to finish. The clash with Three-Eyed Jack isn’t just a superhero brawl, though it’s every bit as enjoyable to look at, it also gets to the core of who Jinny is and where she comes from. After what feels like a strong ending to the conflict though, we get a cameo from the Man of Steel himself with some fun quips and a great smile with the sunset behind them, then see Jinny drive off at dawn to continue her adventure, giving a stark contrast to the typical western ending riding off into the sunset and further insinuating the journey just getting started. Moments like this encapsulate the overt genre influence with interesting levels of nuance that are all throughout the issue giving it such surprising depth.

Though the layouts damper the pacing midway through ever so slightly, the issue succeeded in making me care about Jinny as an individual, delivering awesomely illustrated action and great cowboy banter lettered expertly by Gabriela Downie and has me hyped for a bright future for Jinny Hex in the DC Universe. What more could you honestly ask for from a special one-shot issue? It’s a great comic and that much is absolutely clear.

I began by saying this issue is a triumph, however, and not just a great comic. We are at the doorstep of Future State and a new era at DC bringing fresh talent behind the scenes and new characters in front of readers. The Jinny Hex Special #1 is a continued example of what the future of the DC Universe can look like even outside of a highly anticipated event when guided by the right creative teams and it’s an exciting one to say the least. It has a sense of legacy that belongs, emphasizing the best of what DC brings to comics and elevates this one-shot issue from just a great comic to one that feels like the start of something much grander.

Do yourself a favor and pick up the Jinny Hex Special #1, you won’t be disappointed.