DC to print original 'Jonah Hex' book

DC Comics is to publish an original Jonah Hex graphic novel titled No Way Back.

Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, the book is illustrated by Hex co-creator Tony DeZuniga. Its launch will coincide with the release of the comic's cinematic adaptation.

"John Albano and Tony DeZuniga originally conceived the premise for this story, but were unfortunately unable to tell it for one reason or another. Tony mentioned to us that they'd wanted to do a story that involved Jonah Hex having a brother," Gray told Newsarama.

"The original hardcover has grown from that seed into a very personal and revealing look at Jonah Hex in ways that we haven't fully explored in the book. Because the hardcover is meant to open up the world to Jonah Hex around the release of the film and hopefully bridge the gap from film to comics, we wanted to do something special."

Palmiotti added: "With the movie coming out and the extra attention the character would be getting, we pitched the graphic novel as a special project where we would get to work with the legendary Tony DeZuniga."

No Way Back arrives in stores on June 8. Jonah Hex is released in theatres on June 18.