Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Lone Ranger #12
Dynamite Comics
Matthews, Cariello & Cassaday
The Lone Ranger returns after a few months vacation with a solid issue. This issue does a lot of setting up, but is still a very good issue. The characters seem to have trust for one another but it is so fragile on all sides. This issue helps to establish that the characters all still have doubts and are confused as to what they are trying to do exactly. The art is breathtaking again.
The issue begins with Ranger talking to Winthrop, a Cavendish cohort. Basically, Winthrop is scared. He doesn’t know what the Ranger wants. He doesn’t know if Cavendish is done with him. On the flip side, the Ranger isn’t sure of himself. He’s dancing a line and is feeling a little uneasy about himself. But he has a plan and we don’t get let in on it.
Next we have some interaction between the Ranger and Tonto. It’s a tough conversation. Tonto does some light scolding and seems to want to get something off his chest, but just can’t. This scene illustrates just how rocky their relationship is. The Ranger wants to do the right thing, but is Tonto really the example to follow?
The sheriff uses his own version of the Bat signal to get the Ranger’s attention and to ask for help. Like many of the other characters he isn’t sure what to do. He needs help and he is taking a blind leap of faith with asking the Ranger for it. Not even knowing what the “right” thing to do is.
The Ranger then has some interaction with his sister-in-law. This is perhaps the hardest conversation to understand. Is there love here? Is there fear of losing each other? They leave an awful lot unsaid. The Ranger tries to be a father to his nephew. It’s a long process though.
The issue ends with the Ranger, Tonto and the sheriff riding off on a mission that requires a lot of bullets and Cavendish pays a visit to an old “friend”.
This issue really just reintroduces characters and set the stage. It would be very difficult for a new reader to pick up on many of these aspects and their interactions. A recap page would have been huge. We are only talking about six characters after all. The issue does a good job of setting up a couple of story arcs though. It also does an excellent job of planting many seeds of doubt in all the character’s minds.
The art is outstanding. The part that jumps out at me is the faces. Somehow they show the doubt, distrust, anger and evil very, very well. But there is an array of emotions to be seen as we see with the nephew and his joy when the Ranger talks to him. A lot of the issue takes place at night or in some dark places and the art really helps use the element of fear in the darkness. The issue is just right on the money visually.
This issue is as good as any to get into this series. It isn’t just a western. It’s a legend that is gaining a reputation, good or bad. It’s a story about loss and lost souls. It’s got a lot to think about in each issue and the storytelling doesn’t spell it all out for you. You have to read a lot into what’s going on. No matter how you cut it, this is a series that is worth checking out.
4 out of 5 geek goggles
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