Broken Frontier

The Lone Ranger is starting to become the stuff of myths and legends but there is still a man beneath the mask. Will John Reid’s quest for justice eclipse who and what he once was?

After the six-issue origin story, writer Brett Matthews wastes no time in getting down to brass tacks and picking up the story where he left off. With an open road in front of him he chooses to continue to mix the action with great character moments – building on what has gone before, building a Lone Ranger who is equal parts new and old.

Black Bart may be gone but the slaughtered rangers – including Reid’s brother and father – have not been fully avenged… yet. There is still the man behind Bart – Cavendish. As the Lone Ranger, Reid decides to hit Cavendish where it hurts – financially – and as he does so he cannily continues to build his growing legend. Reid, however, still has friends and still has family. Can he find a way to balance his thirst for justice, his determination to protect those he loves, and the man beneath the mask? Is Reid in danger of losing himself to the Lone Ranger?

Readers should appreciate Brett Matthews for the modern sensibilities he has brought to this title. Where once the Lone Ranger was largely a stock character – a white hatted good guy—Matthews adds on layers of personality and characterization. Where once upon a time the Lone Ranger was never seen without his mask here Matthews explores that idea – what the mask means to all of the characters and how it can be both blessing and curse. Where once no one questioned the Lone Ranger’s rides for justice Matthews subtly asks what price justice and righteous vengeance might exact. Throughout all of it, the figure of Cavendish remains – a threat, an enigma… but one that is potentially explosively dangerous. If there has been any failing with the series to date it would be that the villain of the piece – Cavendish – remains such a cipher. It is hard to get a sense of just how dangerous this man may be. We have seen threats and hints but there is still little grasp of the scope of his ambition.

Artist Sergio Cariello continues with the ongoing as well and Dynamite Entertainment should be applauded for snagging this wonderful artist. Cariello’s work has an amazing level of detail and he manages everything perfectly – from faces, to camera angles, to settings, and clothing. Reading this comic truly feels like watching a well filmed movie.

Somewhere, deep down inside, most of us have probably dreamed of the Old West of legend – the place where the Lone Ranger resides. Writer Brett Matthews can and will take you there again – a world of heroes and villains, of horses and wide open spaces and silver bullets… all you have to do is open the cover.