The Lone Ranger Volume 3: Scorched Earth

Dynamite's The Lone Ranger #3

by Brett Matthews, Sergio Cariello (Artist), John Cassaday (Artist)

Dynamite Entertainment continues its acclaimed run of The Lone Ranger from writer Brett Matthews, cover artist John Cassaday, artist Sergio Cariello, and colorist Marcelo Pinto. Collected here for the first time are issues #12-16,

Genres: Comics, Westerns, Graphic Novels, Adventure, Graphic Novels Comics

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ethan the Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was... interesting. I'd say it had it's fair share of morbid sequences, but it was an overall fun read. There was mystery, action, new characters, more depth into old characters and hopefully some great buildup to the last addition.

[47Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Kohn and Cavendish are aiming to have a final showdown. This volume tries to explain how the latter turned to a life of alcohol, violence, debauchery and crime. He has demons that have marked him since childhood, because of his abusive father. Now he takes pleasure in leaving behind the corpses of anyone who crosses his path.

Meanwhile a sheriff asks John to look into a gruesome murder. It turns out to be a serial killer. John reveals he knows basic chestry and is a skilled detective with a good eye for detail. He figures out that the killer is the town doctor. When confronted, the doctor confesses and is arrested, though the townsfolk would have preferred a lynching. The sheriff leads him to a trial, but kills him on the way.

[Norman Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collects The Lone Ranger #12-16. The first four issues, "Scorched Earth," focus on the Ranger's investigation into a brutal murder and arson in a small Texas town. Here we see him using his detective skills to uncover clues to the mystery (which, frankly, isn't too hard to figure out). The important part of this arc is the continuing evolution of the Ranger and Tonto's relationship. We also get a glimmer of a love interest between the Ranger and his brother's widow, but just a glimmer. The fifth story, "Ostinato," is a character study of Cavendish's childhood and why he is so rotten. Sergio Cariello's interior artwork is impressive, with a lot of panoramic layouts. John Cassaday's covers are beautiful pieces of art. The back matter contains some development sketches.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big weird western fan, and as I've said in previous reviews, my favorite western comic of all time is Jonah Hex. This series is creeping into weird western territory, which is a big positive to me, but for more traditional Lone Ranger fans may not be what they want to see.

We have the main storyline with Butch Cavendish being continued, but we also have a creepy serial killer running around the west that The Lone Ranger and Tonto have to deal with. As stated before, art is always great.

If you like western comics, The Lone Ranger and Tonto, or just westerns in general, this series is worth a read.

[Krishnakumar Mohanasundaram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again.. as with first two volumes.. an uneven narrative.. yet sprinkled with a lot of grippy sequences..

[Terry Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the recent revisionist takes on the character of the Lone Ranger, this series sings while other westerns from Dynamite can't even utter a note (I'm looking at you The Man With No Name). Having collaborated with the great Sergio Cariello on past projects, I was biased to enjoy his artwork, but the stories by Brett Matthews are very well done. His explanation of why the Ranger uses silver bullets is brilliant, and presented as a bit of throwaway dialogue! Other than presenting us with a prime example of "decompressed storytelling" (i.e. taking four issues to tell a story that could have been done in two or even one), I can't say enough good things. Worth your time and $$$.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

After totally enjoying Volume 1, and liking Volume 2, I was hoping for another excellent tale. This, however, appears to be the weakest of the 3. It appears that that creators shot their wad with the first Volume. There is nothing wrong with this volume, simply that it does not live up to the promise of the first.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel includes reprinted issues (12-15) from the on-going monthly series. This story takes place in the old west and features the "scorched earth" storyline where our hero is tracking the evil "Cavendish" alongside his trusty partner Tonto. Overall the story is a tale similar to Batman where a vengeance-fueled vigilante tries to bring hope to the hopeless.

[Pturingan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So here comes another distraction for the Lone Ranger on the long road to confronting Cavendish. I'm still enjoying the slow build-up but they better have a nice satisfying pay-off for this storyline.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

More thrilling tales of the masked rider of the plains and his Indian companion.

[Scott Fogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

We learn more about the Lone Ranger's background and that he's in love with his brother's widow. He starts using more of his mind to solve crimes. Again, like Batman.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story and art but I'm going to be glad when they finish the Cavendish story arc.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the art. Love the story, but time to wrap up the storyline.

[Diptanu · Rating 3 out of 5]

not that much a cover.....but a good one.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark diversion from the old classic.