If you've read any number of DC or Marvel comics these past four decades, chances are you've seen Tony DeZuniga's work.
Having done both cover and story art for titles such as The Incredible Hulk, Black Orchid (which he helped create), Thor, Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, Star Wars and countless others, this now-retired Philippines-born artist is seeing one of his best known creations, the surly Civil War Era bounty hunter Jonah Hex, grace the screen in a new Warner Brothers movie starring Josh Brolin and John Malkovich.
In anticipation of the new film, Suite101 reached out to Mr. DeZuniga, for his impressions on the new film and some more information about the development of the character's unique look.
Suite101: How did you happen to get involved with the institution that is DC Comics?
Tony DeZuniga: I was doing a lot of Educational Books in New York City and I met [former DC Vice President] Joe Orlando. He asked me to bring in some of my drawing samples, and told me if I can draw like I did in my samples, he's going to hire me. He gave me an assignment right after that meeting.
S101: Can you describe your part in the creation of Jonah Hex?
TD: John Albano (who died in 2005) was approached by Joe Orlando to do this Weird Western Tales series. That year, everything had a "Weird" tag attached to its title. Then John spoke with me about designing the character. One day, while I was at the doctor's office, I saw the doctor's chart with half of a skeleton and half of the muscles, and I had the idea: Wouldn't it be cool to do half a face like that.
When I did the concept [on paper], John was so excited and happy. "This is the character!", he said.
S101: Any thoughts on the manner in which the character was revived in later DC titles, i.e. with a time travel angle, the "Hex" standalone title, etc...?
TD: I think that's the time that Hex died down, when they wanted to make it futuristic, etc... People wanted a western character in a western story.
S101: How would you compare Jonah Hex to, say, Clint Eastwood's Man with No Name? Were there other influences which may have factored in the creation of the character?
TD: That was a very good question. John really wanted to pattern Jonah Hex after the Man with No Name, and unlike those Spaghetti Westerns where the hero will be shooting the [villain's] hand with the gun, John wanted to show that if you're a cowboy, you wanted to kill, so you shoot him in the body. We tried to make it realistic and more than a story. And John Albano was a great writer.
S101: Have you seen the upcoming film? If so, any thoughts as to the changes in script and/or how they approached the subject matter, vis-à-vis the original Weird Western Tales stories?
TD: The trailer is very enticing for the viewers, There's lots of action, sexy scenes, explosions and lots of gun fights. That's what the viewers want. I really just hope people will go see it.
S101: Any chance of seeing further Tony DeZuniga artwork in new Hex stories, should the film prove a success?
TD: I hope so, It's just that I feel I'm retired and don't want the deadlines anymore. Maybe it's ok once in a while.
I've loved westerns ever since I was a kid. My father was telling me that when I was 4 he took me to a western film, and after the film I was [already] drawing the cowboy and the horse.
Further Works by Tony DeZuniga
Fans of his work, as well as newcomers inspired to look him up after seeing the theatrical Hex movie, should look at the trade paperback graphic novel Jonah Hex Welcome to Paradise, recently reviewed by Suite101. The compilation details Hex's beginnings as well as his eventual clash with series villain Quentin Turnbull.
Dominic Messier - Dominic Messier is a Toronto-based Film & TV writer, Sci-Fi TV and Film Dramas Topic Editor, and creator of PopCultureLandscape.com
