All Star Western #9

Does a Night of the Owls crossover mean I don't get to find out what happens to Hex and Arkham after they're trussed up on the ship about to be sunk by the August 7?

Since this is the first panel, I guess I do get to find out what happens to these jerks!

Since Hex is still wearing the strength-giving amulet of Nighthawk, he's able to break free from the ropes tying his hands! He then grabs a harpoon and shoves it through the torso of the man rowing them out to the steamship. I forget what this guy's name was but since he was one of the August 7 that wasn't introduced until the end of last issue, I don't think it really matters. One down and six more to murder!

It turns out Arkham wasn't smoking opium because he is addicted. He smokes it because it was part of the plan to get arrested. Since the local constabulary are almost always part of the villainous gang controlling the city, Arkham was to end up in jail and spill his beans all over the sheriff's face. That induced the August 7 to gather together to take care of Hex and Arkham during their ship sinking plot. The only problem with the plan is that there really was no reason to believe that all of the leaders of the August 7 would gather to see that Hex is taken care of. But as far as comic book plans go, this one actually needed less luck than most. It was pretty well thought out.

Oh, and the other part of the plan is for Cinnamon and Nighthawk to back-up Arkham and Hex with a little Ninja Sheriff Star throwing and Karate Butt kicking.

This is my favorite part of the fight. The Sailor Scout's weapon of choice is a doll.

I also like how Z.C. constantly needs to flip like this while fighting.

Cinnamon and Nighthawk quickly take down the August 7 with a tiny bit of help from Hex. After they've got them all tied up and ready for prison (or court or hanging or some other justice), Nighthawk finally gives Jonah Hex the information he promised him about Thurston Moody. Remember Moody? He was the whole reason Hex was in New Orleans!

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, a Talon is hunting! And it's probably hunting Moody for the Court of Owls. Unless it's hunting Jonah Hex! Or maybe it's hunting both in order to tie up some loose ends.

So is this Talon alive? And what's the difference between a living Talon and a Talon brought back out of retirement? Do the living Talons have regenerative abilities? Does it matter?

Hex and Arkham happen to make their way back across the city and run into the Talon killing Thurston Moody. Hex drives it away by shooting at it but not before it's finished its business.

Married him and gave him a son!

The Talon escapes having had no reason to go after Hex and Arkham. And three weeks later, Hex and Arkham are back in Gotham City. And Hex finds himself on the verge of being pulled into yet another conflict with Gotham's powerful elite and a small time nobody he seems to know: Tallulah Black. But I guess that story can wait until next month.

She was just thrown out of a window by the guy with the red mask that was stealing children for Thurston Moody.

I'm not sure if I should remember Ms. Black from the previous story but maybe next issue my memory will be refreshed.

The back-up story concludes the origin of Cinnamon and Nighthawk. I won't spoil it for anybody the way I spoil everything else because it's really not worth spoiling. They fall in love and become the most feared bounty hunters ever! And then there's the surprise twist ending that I said I wouldn't spoil! So stop bugging me about it.

All Star Western #9 Rating: +1 Ranking. It gets a +1 Ranking because Hex's attitude to the Talon is, Who fucking cares? Way to go, Jonah Hex! Finally a really good Night of the Owls' Crossover!