by Paul Green
United Feature Syndicate Sunday Strip (December 7, 1941–April 3, 1943); Story: Edgar Rice Burroughs; Art: John Coleman Burroughs.
Edgar Rice Burrough's John Carter of Mars
“THE PRISONER OF THE THARKS”
First publication: Four Color #375 (February 1952); Story: Gaylord DuBois; Art: Jesse Marsh; Publisher: Dell Publishing Co.
“TYRANT OF THE NORTH”
First publication: Four Color #437 (November 1952); Story: Phil Evans; Art: Jesse Marsh; Publisher: Dell Publishing Co.
“THE BLACK PIRATES OF OMEAN”
First publication: Four Color #488 (1953); Story: Phil Evans; Art: Jesse Marsh; Publisher: Dell Publishing Co.
All three Dell issues were reprinted by Gold Key (April-October 1964).
“THE MARTIAN”
Sun Weekly #507-537 (October 25, 1958–May 23, 1959); Adaptation: D.R. Morton; Art: Robert Forrest; Publisher: Amalgamated Press UK.
Tarzan #207-209 (April 1972); DC Comics; Weird Worlds #1-7 (August-September 1972); DC Comics; John Carter Warlord of Mars #1-10 (June 1977–March 1978); Marvel Comics.
Jonah Hex
[Comic book character; Comic book; WW]
First appearance: All-Star Western #10 (February-March 1972); Creators: John Albano, Tony DeZuniga; Publisher: DC comics.
Sold as a slave to the Apache tribe by his alcoholic father, Jonah Woodson Hex received his “mark of the demon” facial scar from an Apache's red-hot tomahawk following a trial of combat with the chief's son who had previously betrayed him. The embittered and disfigured former Confederate officer became a bounty hunter with weapons including a Winchester rifle, Colt Peacemaker .45, Colt Dragoon .44 and Colt Navy .36. His days of bounty hunting caught up with him in old age when he was killed in cold blood by George Barrow in 1904.
Jonah Hex has proven to be one of DC Comics' most popular and enduring Western characters and has straddled the line between a traditional Western anti-hero and a character moving through Weird Western landscapes that include werewolves and zombies. In addition to his own title, Jonah Hex has also been featured in mini-series and guest-starred in various DC titles including All-New Booster Gold, Justice League of America and Justice League Unlimited.
Jonah Hex also guest-starred on Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited and Batman: The Brave and the Bold animated TV series. A live-action feature film began production in 2009.
Jonah Hex: Riders of the Worm and Such
[Comic book; WW]
First publication: April 1995; Story: Joe R. Lansdale; Art: Timothy Truman, Sam Glanzman; Five-part mini-series; Publisher: DC Vertigo.
Jonah Hex fights the half-worm, half-human albino Autumn Brothers who serve the technologically advanced worms that live underground.
In 1996, Texas blues rockers Johnny and Edgar Winter attempted to sue DC Comics, Joe R. Lansdale, Timothy Truman and Sam Glanzman on the grounds the green-tentacled, pale-faced, half-human, half-worm creatures known as Johnny and Edgar Autumn were defamatory, an invasion of privacy and caused “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”
Joe Lansdale stated in a Comic Book Legal Defense Fund release, “It was our intent to use the Jonah Hex comic book series as a vehicle for satire and parody of musical genres, Texas music in particular, as well as old radio shows, movie serials and the like. We feel within our rights to parody music, stage personas, album personas, lyrics and public figures.”
The Winter brothers appealed the decision by a Los Angeles judge to dismiss the suit. They lost their appeal in June 2003. The unanimous ruling stated that artists and publishers had constitutional right to produce works that include creatively transformed images of actual persons. “The First Amendment dictates that the right to comment on, parody, lampoon and make other expressive uses of the celebrity image must be given broad scope.”
However, the Appeals Court ruling didn't hide their distaste for the Jonah Hex mini-series. They begrudgingly had to admit, “Vulgar forms of expression fully qualify for First Amendment protection. While it is true that many of the gags and depictions are violent, gross and in bad taste, that is apparently the nature of this type of genre.”
Jonah Hex: Shadows West
[Comic book; WW]
First publication: February 1999; Story: Joe R. Lansdale; Art: Timothy Truman, Sam Glanzman; Three-part mini-series; Publisher: DC Vertigo.
Jonah Hex joins Buffalo Will's Wild West Show and his motley crew including a midget sharpshooter and a washed-up bounty hunter out to prove himself one last time by claiming the bounty on Jonah Hex.
Jonah Hex: Two Gun Mojo
[Comic book; WW]
First publication: August 1993; Story: Joe R. Lansdale; Art: Timothy Truman, Sam Glanzman; Five-part mini-series; Publisher: DC Vertigo.
Trapped in a barrel by snake-oil salesman and voodoo practitioner Doc “Cross” Williams, Jonah Hex is forced to drink zombie brew. He manages to escape only to find himself face to face again with Williams and his carnival freak show, including the zombie of Wild Bill Hickok, in New Mexico. Jonah Hex surprisingly finds allies in Williams and his zombies as they join forces to repel an attack from Apache Indians.
Jonas: Tales of an Ironstar
[Comic book; SFW]
First publication: November 2004; Story-Art: Brian Colin; Publisher: CodeDeco Inc.
Monster hunter Jonas Eightstar returns home to Reedville, Arizona, to find the town deserted. In his search to uncover the truth behind the tragic and violent murder of his son, Jonas joins the Ironstars to protect the people from the mutant animals that populate the ravaged post apocalyptic West.
Journey into Mystery
[Comic book]
Horror and science fiction anthology title from Atlas Comics. When Atlas was succeeded by Marvel Comics, the comic book eventually changed emphasis to a superhero title featuring Thor starting with issue #83 (August 1962).
“THOSE WHO VANISH!” [WW]
First publication: #38 (September 1956); Art: Steve Ditko; Publisher: Atlas Comics–Marvel Comics.
Released from prison after a twenty-year sentence, an aging man ponders his gloomy future prospects when Chief Red Dust tempts him with an offer to enter the magic water of Chi-Ha-Nichi and get a new lease on life. But at what price to the man?
Judok
[Comic book character; Italy; SW]
First publication: Collana Rodeo #8 (1967); Story: Gian Luigi Bonelli; Art: Giovanni Ticci; Publisher: Sergio Bonelli Editore.
Judok has been described as “Tex Willer in Space” by its publisher.
“Julhi”
[Pulp fiction; SW]
Author: C. L. Moore; First publication: Weird Tales (March 1935).
A beautiful female Venusian named Apri leads Northwest Smith to the mysterious, alluring Julhi and the blood-feeding haunters of the ruined island city of Vonng.
C. L. Moore maintains the interest of the reader through her descriptive and imaginative narrative that incorporates sensuality and eroticism and reads like a subconscious dream-like state.
The Junkman Cometh
[RPG book; WW]
Author: John Hopler; First publication: 1999; Setting: Deadlands: Hell on Earth; Publisher: Pinnacle Entertainment Group.
Includes new powers for the technical wizardry of the junkers and detailed description of tech spirits.
Just a Pilgrim
[Comic book; SFW]
First publication: May 2001; Story: Garth Ennis; Art: Carlos Ezquerra; Five-issue mini-series; Publisher: Black Bull Entertainment.
Set on a post-apocalyptic, scorched Earth following the expansion of the sun, the story centers on religious fanatic Pilgrim who has developed a taste for human flesh. In his search for water, Pilgrim helps a group of refugees and young Billy Shepard as they journey across the dried-up Atlantic Ocean basin.
Creator Garth Ennis has acknowledged the Western influences in the visual appearance of Pilgrim, stating that he is a cross between Clint Eastwood and Lee Mar
vin. But his personality is more in keeping with a “warrior monk.”
Just a Pilgrim: Garden of Eden
[Comic book; SFW]
First publication: 2002; Story: Garth Ennis; Art: Carlos Ezquerra; Four-issue mini-series; Publisher: Black Bull Entertainment.
Pilgrim encounters scientists building a spaceship among the few remaining humans left alive in the Atlantic basin. But mutated jellyfish threaten the lives of the few as the spaceship prepares to travel to a new world.
Sequel to Just a Pilgrim.
Justice League
(2001) [Animated TV series]
Animated adventures featuring the DC comic book characters. The series was revamped for the third season with a new theme tune, new characters and a change of title from Justice League to Justice League Unlimited. Vigilante joined the JLA in the fourth season.
Science Fiction Western episodes:
“ULTIMATUM” (3:09) [SFW]
Air date: December 4, 2004; Voice cast: Gregg Rainwater as Long Shadow, Tim Matheson as Max Lord, James Sie as Wind Dragon, Grey DeLisle as Downpour/Shifter, Jennifer Hale as Giganta, Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Kevin Conroy as Batman, George Newbern as Superman, Scott Rummell as Aquaman, Phil LaMarr as Green Lantern/John Stewart, Carl Lumbly as J'onn J'onzz, Robert Foxworth as Professor Hamilton, CCH Pounder as Amanda Waller; Story: Dwayne McDuffie; Teleplay: J.M. DeMatteis; Director: Joaquim Dos Santos; 30 min.; Warner Bros Animation; Color.
Project Cadmus creates a genetically engineered group of superheroes to counteract the Justice League. The Ultimen include the American Indian Long Shadow, who rebels against Cadmus and his fellow Ultimen members and joins the Justice League.
The character of Long Shadow, who has the ability to grow to gigantic size, was influenced by the animated Super Friends character Apache Chief. This was the only appearance of Long Shadow in the series.
“THE ONCE AND FUTURE THING PART ONE: WEIRD WESTERN TALES” (3:12) [SFW]
Premiere: January 22, 2005; Voice cast: Adam Baldwin as Jonah Hex, Kevin Conroy as Batman, Phil LaMarr as Green Lantern, Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Nestor Carbonell as El Diablo, Ben Browder as Bat Lash, Jonathan Joss as Sheriff Ohyesa “Pow Wow” Smith, Ed O'Ross as Tobias Manning, Peter MacNicol as Chronos, Peter Onorati as Warhawk; Story: Dwayne McDuffie; Director: Dan Riba; 30 min.; Warner Bros Animation; Color.
Justice League members are transported to the Old West of 1879 where they discover Tobias Manning is controlling the town of Elkhorn with future technology accumulated through the help of a time machine. The episode features Weird Western characters Bat Lash, Jonah Hex, El Diablo and “Pow Wow” Smith.
“TASK FORCE X” (4:04) [SW]
Air date: May 21, 2005; Voice cast: Michael Rosenbaum as Vigilante/Floyd Lawton/Deadshot, Phil LaMarr as Green Lantern/John Stewart, Carl Lumbly as J'onn J'onzz; Adam Baldwin as Rick Flagg, Donal Gibson as Captain Boomerang, Alan Rachins as Clock King, Juliet Landau as Plastique/Tala, Chris Cox as Captain Atom; Story: Dwayne McDuffie; Teleplay: Darwyn Cooke; Director: Joaquim Dos Santos; 30 min.; Warner Bros Animation; Color.
The Justice League's Watchtower is infiltrated by Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Plastique and Clock King, collectively known as Task Force X.
“HUNTER'S MOON” (4:08) [SW]
Air date: June 18, 2005; Voice cast: Nathan Fillion as Vigilante, Maria Canals as Hawkgirl/Shayera Hol, Gina Torres as Vixen, Phil LaMarr as Green Lantern/John Stewart, Carl Lumbly as J'onn J'onzz, Hector Elizondo as Kragger; Story: Stan Berkowitz; Teleplay: Dwayne McDuffie; Director: Joaquim Dos Santos; 30 min.; Warner Bros Animation; Color.
When they respond to an emergency request for help. Shayera (Hawkgirl), Vigilante and Vixen are led into an ambush by Thanagarians seeking revenge on Shayera.
“PATRIOT ACT” (5:07) [SW]
Air date: February 25, 2006; Voice cast: Nathan Fillion as Vigilante/Spy Smasher, Phil LaMarr as Green Lantern/John Stewart, J.K. Simmons as General Eiling, Michael Beach as Mr. Terrific, Kin Shriner as Green Arrow, Chris Cox as Shining Knight, Giselle Loren as Stargirl, Mike Erwin as Speedy; Story: Matt Wayne; Director: Joaquim Dos Santos; 30 min.; Warner Bros Animation; Color.
A serum used by the Nazis transforms General Wade Eiling into a superhuman monster who seeks to destroy members of the Justice League including Vigilante, Shining Knight, Stargirl, Green Arrow, Speedy and Crimson Avenger.
Justice League of America
[Comic book]
Groundbreaking comic book series that saw DC Comics's line-up of superheroes form a team to keep the Earth safe from harm.
“CRISIS FROM YESTERDAY” [SFW]
First publication: #159 (October 1978); Story: Gerry Conway; Art: Dick Dillin, Frank McLaughlin; Publisher: DC Comics.
Jonah Hex is transported from the Old West by the Lord of Time to battle the Justice League and Justice Society of America in 1978. Fighting alongside him are Viking Prince, Enemy Ace, Miss Liberty and The Black Pirate, who have also been transplanted in time and space by the Lord of Time.
“CRISIS FROM TOMORROW” [SFW]
First publication: #160 (November 1978); Story: Gerry Conway; Art: Dick Dillin, Frank McLaughlin; Publisher: DC Comics.
Jonah Hex and his fellow fighting men and women confront dinosaurs and lizard men in the year 3786 as they attack the Lord of Time's castle.
“ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WILD WILD WEST” [SFW]
First publication: #198 (January 1982); Story: Gerry Conway; Art: Don Heck, Brett Breeding; Publisher: DC Comics.
The Flash, Green Lantern, Elongated Man and Zatanna find themselves in the Old West of 1878 with no knowledge of who they are and meet Jonah Hex, Bat Lash, Cinnamon and the Scalphunter. The Lord of Time is using the amnesiac superheroes as pawns in his plans to capture an anti-matter bubble which will strike the Grand Canyon.
“GRAND CANYON SHOWDOWN” [SFW]
First publication: #199 (February 1982); Story: Gerry Conway; Art: Don Heck, Brett Breeding; Publisher: DC Comics.
Jonah Hex, Cinnamon, Scalphunter and Bat Lash vanish after successfully stopping the anti-matter bubble from striking the Grand Canyon.
Justice League Unlimited
[Animated TV series; Comic book]
1. Third- to fifth-season title for the Justice League animated TV series.
2. Based on the animated TV series.
“THE JUSTICE RANGERS RIDE AGAIN” [SFW]
First published: Justice League Unlimited #19 (March 2006); Story: Adam Beechen; Art: Gordon Purcell, Bob Petrecca; Publisher: DC Comics.
The Time Commander takes refuge in the Old West but Wonder Woman, Vigilante and Elongated Man pursue him through time and space and enlist the help of Jonah Hex, Bat Lash and El Diablo.
Justice Riders
[Comic book; SFW]
First appearance: January 1997; Story: Chuck Dixon; Art: J. H. Williams III; Publisher: DC Comics.
One-issue Elseworlds cross-genre tale set in an alternate DC Universe featuring the Justice League of America as Old West marshals.
Keller, Jack
(1922-2003) [Comic book artist]
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Jack Keller sold his first strip in 1941 to Dell Comics. The following year he was offered employment by Quality Comics inking the Blackhawk strip. Other assignments included work for Fiction House, Fawcett and Lev Gleason plus supplying backgrounds for Will Eisner's Sunday supplement strip The Spirit.
In 1950 he was offered work by Stan Lee at Timely-Atlas on their horror, crime, romance and Western titles. He found his niche with Kid Colt Outlaw and within a few years was working solely on Western titles.
When Atlas collapsed in 1957, Keller was briefly without work as a comic artist but returned to Kid Colt when Atlas changed management and became Marvel Comics. He supplemented his income working freelance for Charlton Comics on their Western and war titles but achieved his greatest success with Hot Rods and Racing Cars.
Keller quit Kid Colt in 1967 when the comic went over to reprints. He worked briefl
y for DC Comics and continued with Charlton Comics until 1973.
Keoma
(1976) [Film; Italy; WW]
Premiere: 1976; Main Cast: Franco Nero as Keoma, Woody Strode as George, William Berger as William Shannon, Donald O'Brian as Caldwell, Olga Karlatos as Lisa, Gabriella Giacobbe as The Witch; Producer: Manolo Bolognini; Story: Luigi Montefiori [George Eastman]; Screenplay: Enzo G. Castellari, Nico Ducci, Luigi Montefiori, Mino Roli; Director: Enzo G. Castellari; 105 min.; Uranos Cinematografica; Color.
Halfbreed gunfighter Keoma discovers plague is rampant in his home town. When ruthless landlord Caldwell refuses to accept medical supplies or food, Keoma decides to evict Caldwell and his men from the town and relieve the suffering of the townsfolk.
An often violent and brutal film that includes Weird Western elements of an old hag personifying Death as Keoma's companion.
The Key to the Indian
[Juvenile novel; WW]
Author: Lynne Reid Banks; Illustrator: James Watling; First publication: HarperTrophy 1999.
When Omri's father discovers the secret of the cupboard, he decides to journey back in time with his son to attempt to help the Iroquois people and Little Bear. But their goodwill mission becomes fraught with danger.