Review: Lone Ranger/Green Hornet #1
Our story opens in 1936 Dan Reid is visiting a local ranch that’s having a Lone Ranger day where a bunch of kids are pretending to be the Ranger and riding a silver horse. He asks an employee if his son’s been there. The response is that Britt hasn’t been there in a while. John Reid, the Lone Ranger who is now an old man, is regaling the youth with his thrilling adventure stories.
The Creative Team:
Michael Uslan does a good job of seamlessly blending the two legends. It’s always been told that the Lone Ranger is an ancestor of the Green Hornet and now we see the two together in the same comic book. NOW comics did something similar back in the ‘80’s but if memory serves they never had both characters interacting. Dan has turned his newspaper, the Sentinel, over to his son Britt. But Britt isn’t interested, calling it a hand out. In an interesting side note, one of John’s catch phrases turns out to be “I’m as mad as a hornet.” Which, of course, will be the inspiration for the name of the character.
Giovani Timpano successfully brings us back to 1936 Manhatten there’s even Roosevelt and Landon campaign posters clearly seen. When John Reid describes his exploits as the Lone Ranger the past comes alive with an awesome rendition of The Ranger and Tonto going into action. His aart is reminiscent of the old Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels TV show, which is smart since it has been the only successful version of the character in the visual media.
The Cover:
An incredible cover that should draw in fans and curiosity seekers alike. We see the Lone Ranger with the right half of his face in shadow and on the shadowed half is The Green Hornet beside the hornet in silhouette is his trusty companion Kato against the backdrop of a red moon. On the left is a silhouette of the Lone Ranger and Tonto riding into the sunset. Very nicely drawn and encompassing three generations of Reid.
In Conclusion:
Britt Reid at first refuses his legacy but later, in typical super-hero fashion learns to embrace it. His uncle John, thanks to his father, reveals the age old vest that his Lone Ranger mask was cut from. He informs Britt that he can use the material to create his own mask. Real life detective Elliot Ness shows up and describes why the Reid’s are needed on his latest mission. A villain from the past has influenced a new gang of mobsters and this time it’ll take more than tax evasion to bring them down. A fun issue which should appeal to super-hero and history buffs alike. ***1/2
Lone Ranger/Green Hornet #1
Writer: Michael Uslan
Art: Giovani Timanpo
Color: Pete Pantazis
Letters: Troy Petari
Cover by: John Cassaday, June Chung
About the Author
Kevin Given Kevin Given has studied with "Longridge Writers Group" and "Writer's Boot Camp" a speech/communications major from the University of Maine Presque-Isle/Orono sites. He has created the "Karl Vincent Vampire Hunter" franchise which includes 2 novels and 8 comic books. They can be found on amazon, Indyplanet and Kindle. For a limited time you can get digital copies of "Karl Vincent: Vampire hunter" #1 and "Files of Karl Vincent" #1 for free on Indyplanet. Kevin is producing the third novel in the series "Dracula Rising" (working title) and developing "Foul Blood" into comic book form.
Related Posts
Review: Lone Ranger #1 →
Review: Green Hornet ’66 Meets The Spirit #5 →
Review: Green Hornet Reign of the Demon #2 →
