REVIEW: ‘Jinny Hex Special,’ Issue #1

Jinny Hex Special #1 is published by DC Comics, under the Wonder Comics imprint, written by Magdalene Visaggio, art by Gleb Melinkov, colors by Luis Guerrero, and letters by Gabriela Downie. Coming off of her recent stint with Young Justice, Jinny Hex looks to take up shop at the family garage in her sleepy home town. But with a name like Hex, you know quite times can’t last long. And before the paint has had a chance to dry, something comes along to disturb the status quo.

The older I’ve gotten, the more nebulous the term family has become. When I was young, family was people you were bound to by blood. Parents, siblings, and all that. But over time, that view has changed. The most important family to me is the family I’ve found along the way. The family that is there for me because they have chosen me, not because societal norms say they have to put up with me. The old saying is that “blood is thicker than water.” Perhaps. But I say love is thicker than blood.

Jinny Hex  Special #1 opens with Jinny and her friends putting the finishing touches on her family’s auto garage so they can reopen it. This opening to the book quickly establishes the dual tones that the book carries with it throughout its story.

While the banter between Jinny and her friends is casual, filled with the familiar warmth one would expect of old friends, there is also a running internal monologue of Jinny’s that isn’t so light. Reminiscing on the humor of her late mother, Jinny is revealed to be in more of a bittersweet place than her outward expression would indicate. These two distinct tones don’t clash with each other though. Rather, they help build Jinny as a more fleshed-out three-dimensional character quicker than most stories would. Which is good, because trouble soon walks in, and Jinny is about to get real busy.

Jinny Hex Special #1 hits the heart of its story when Jinny’s estranged father walks into her auto shop. Having never met her dad before—he left before she was born—and given the recent loss of her mom, Jinny is eager to get to know this missing piece of her life.  But why exactly her father chooses now to walk back into her life is something Jinny will have to discover. And by the time all is said and done, Jinny might just get reminded of what the word family truly means.

As this story moves between its various tones and situations, the art does an excellent job keeping pace with it. Artist Melinkov captures the emotion, adventure, and humor throughout the story. As mystical elements get drawn into the plot, Melinkov delivers some great designs, easily keeping pace with the other great magic hero books on the market.

Just as Melinkov’s lines work to deliver everything Jinny Hex Special #1 strives to say, Guerrero’s colors do just as much lifting to get the story there. Every panel is vibrant and eye catching here, thanks to the beautiful colors. This vibrancy is doubled down on when the magic comes into the book, as every effect is allowed its own light, washing the panels in their glow.

The finishing touch on this book’s presentation is Downie’s letters. The story itself is delivered clearly and in an easy to follow manner. This, along with some wonderful sound effect text that perfectly compliments the art style, makes for a strong lettering performance for this book.

Jinny Hex Special #1 tells a tale that is equal parts adventure, fun, and emotion. While this book is just a one-shot, its characters are strong and engaging enough that I hope we may yet see more of Jinny and company in the future.

Jinny Hex Special #1 is available wherever comics are sold.