Review: The Lone Ranger Vol 3: #1
I am going to admit something, right here and right now; I never knew there has been two volumes of Lone Ranger comics! How did I miss this? Sure, the recent movie didn’t really drag me into the multiplex, but I remember watching reruns of the original show.
This time around, it is that old wily enemy of the open plains, barbed wire, that is causing the problems. Before anyone is thinking this is a crossover event, I am talking about the fencing stuff, not the leather clad blonde on a motorbike. It seems that some ranchers have taken it upon themselves to redraw the landscape as they see fit regardless of pesky things such as neighbours, Native Americans and of course the roaming herds of buffaloes. Taking a stand against these varmints, draws their anger and the attention a Lone Ranger, who realises that to quell this new danger to the Wild West, he is going to have to mend some fences of his own.
Prez writer, Mark Russell is the charge hand, delivering a story topic that has its origins in the old western films. I suppose that there will be readers out there that think this is a quaint story. But supplant the characters for gangsters, the west for Gotham and you pretty much have Batman versus the Black Mask story, albeit with bullets for batarangs. Russell seems to have everything under control as we see the setup of the mini series along with the attempt to bring one characters back into the fold. The partnership of the Ranger and Tonto is one of the true partnership icons that has passed the test of time. With Russell, it seems that the second issue will see if they can pass the test of each other!
The art and colors by Bob Q are a surprise to behold, especially as not many people can draw a horse! Bob Q’s figure work is fantastic, in that it gives the characters a rugged look that you would probably expect. The action pieces work as they capture the essence of the Ranger. In addition, Bob Q’s colors display the feel of texture of the old West. All we need now is a bandido, a saloon and some saloon girls and it would feel as if we have just stepped off the last stage coach to Dodge. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou works tirelessly on the lettering to get the accents right helping to keep the tone of the book on track.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. I have fond memories of the show and this book has certainly hit mark for me. With such a great start to the series, I wonder if Russell and Bob Q have any intention of keeping things Wild West and will possibly take on Champion, the Wonder Horse next?
Writing – 5 Stars
Art & Colors – 5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by;Â Mark Russell
Art & Colors by; Bob Q
Letters by; Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Published by; Dynamite Entertainment
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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