New look for DC’s Sgt. Rock, Jonah Hex

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Sgt. Rock is getting younger and gunslinger Jonah Hex is in 19th century Gotham City after DC Comics announced more titles Thursday for its September relaunch.

Like other titles already announced this week, "Blue Beetle," "Suicide Squad" and "Stormwatch" have key characters sporting new looks _ Joker paramour Harley Quinn has ditched her jester-inspired threads for a decidedly Goth-inspired ensemble _ with a more contemporary feel and change of place.

In "Sgt. Rock and the Men of War," by Ivan Brandon, the battle-tested World War II soldier has given way to his 21st century grandson, who leads Easy Co. made up of ex-military men bankrolled by a covert contractor.

Likewise, "Blackhawks" is recast as a modern-day team of mercenaries instead of the band of aviation adventurers led by the singular Blackhawk.

In "All-Star Western," ex-Confederate soldier and bounty hunter Jonah Hex trades the vast stretches of the American West for Gotham, brought to town by a criminal psychologist to help hunt down a serial killer.

Mercenary assassin Deathstroke has his own title and a team title called "Stormwatch" starring the characters Midnighter, Apollo and Martian Manhunter will debut, too.

In "Grifter," a former intelligence agent who hunts down inhuman monsters hiding in human forms is the star.

DC co-publisher Dan DiDio will write "OMAC," a story about an average man transformed into a killing machine against his will, which will be illustrated by Keith Giffen and Scott Koblish.

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