The Lone Ranger #14
Written by Ande Parks
Art by Esteve Polls
Colors by Marcelo Pinto
Letters by Simon Bowland
Cover by Francesco Francavilla
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: April 3, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The Lone Ranger #14 is the very definition of the word “payoff.” Not only is it a great issue, it’s one that rewards long time readers for sticking with the series. Not that we needed a reward. An awesome comic every month is pretty much reward itself.

THIS has got to be writer Ande Parks‘ finest issue yet, and I mean that sincerely. Sure, I say that all the time, but after reading this issue, I don’t know how he’s going to top himself after this. Now, you won’t get any spoilers, but this issue deals with something that happened years ago (in the book, not in real time) and it’s not even something that we knew was coming. Now THAT’S storytelling! Did I mention that this is a “one & done” issue? Yes, it’s ALL those things! Great dialogue and a great story, this issue from Parks. He could write this book forever and I’d be happy.

The Long Ranger #10
Written by Ande Parks
Art by Esteve Polls
Colors by Marcelo Pinto
Letters by Simon Bowland
Cover by Francesco Francavilla
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: October 3, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

For the most part, The Lone Ranger #10 ends the absolutely brilliant Tonto origin story. This has been a really solid story, and what it DOESN’T do is make ticked off that the main character hasn’t really been in the spotlight of the book at all. It’s like a Tonto mini-series withing the pages of the title, but the story is so good, you don’t mind at all.

What praise can I heap on writer Ande Parks that I already haven’t? The story in this issue is great. He gives recaps of the last few issues in totally natural dialogue. This issue we get to see Tonto at odds with his own people and how he became the lone warrior that he was when he first met John Reid. It’s not a feelgood story, but at the end, you’ll be totally satisfied having read this great comic, and the ending promises some big time action in the near future. It’s nice to see that, while separately, Tonto and The Lone Ranger work together like a well-oiled machine, when they’re away from each other and on their own, they are somewhat different people, which just goes to prove that they NEED each other as partners to function as the premiere heroes of the old west. some great characterization from Parks in this issue.

The Lone Ranger #8
Written by Ande Parks
Art by Esteve Polls
Colors by Marcelo Pinto
Letters by Simon Bowland
Cover by Francesco Francavilla
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: August 1, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

In The Lone Ranger #8, the origin of Tonto continues. But let me forewarn you, it’s not pretty. At all. Nor should it be. I mean, this IS the old west we’re talking about. After reading two issues of this title that revolve around Tonto, I can honestly say that I would read a Tonto solo title.

Writer Ande Parks is up to his old tricks again – writing awesome comics! This issue, as we get further into the “current” storyline (but not by much), we learn the next installment of Tonto’s origin. This is a GREAT comic. A great, well thought-out story, but I have to say, it’s a little on the heartbreaking side. After reading the last issue, you pretty much knew that Tonto wasn’t going to up and say to his family “OK, I’m going on some adventures,” but it doesn’t make it any easier to read. And therein lies the brilliance of Parks writing. I’ve know these characters for all of two issues, more like one and a half actually, and I was terribly sad when they met their fate. Parks does a fantastic job of making you care, one was or another, about every single character in this book. Another great issue written by Parks.