Weird Western Tales is a Western genre comics anthology published by DC Comics from June–July 1972 to August 1980. It is best known for featuring the adventures of Jonah Hex until #38 (Jan.–Feb. 1977) when the character was promoted to his own eponymous series. Scalphunter then took Hex's place as the featured character in Weird Western Tales.
Weird Western Tales | |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
Schedule | Bimonthly/Monthly |
Format | Ongoing series |
Publication date | List
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No. of issues | List
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Main character(s) | Jonah Hex Scalphunter Cinnamon |
Creative team | |
Written by | |
Penciller(s) | |
Inker(s) | List
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The original title ran for eight years and 59 issues.[1][2] It started with issue #12 (June–July 1972), continuing the numbering from the second volume of All-Star Western two issues after the first appearance of Jonah Hex.[3] The title's name was partially inspired by the sales success of Weird War Tales,[4] and signaled the loosening standards of the outdated Comics Code Authority.[5]
When Jonah Hex received his own eponymous series,[6] he was replaced as the lead feature of Weird Western Tales by Scalphunter as of issue #39 (March–April 1977).[7] The character Cinnamon was introduced in issue #48 (Sept.–Oct. 1978) by writer Roger McKenzie and artist Dick Ayers.[8] The final issue was #70 (August 1980).[1]
Weird Western Tales was revived in 2001 as a four-issue limited series.[9] This series had no relation to the earlier title, instead featuring a series of one-shot Western-based stories.
A one-shot revival of the series utilizing the original numbering #71 (March 2010)[10] was published as a tie-in to the Blackest Night limited series.[11]
An instant hit with fans, Jonah Hex quickly overshadowed the other stars of All-Star Western. The series was renamed Weird Western Tales two issues later.
Carmine Infantino and I found out that the word weird sold well'. [editor Joe] Orlando recalls. 'So DC created Weird War and Weird Western '.