Lone Ranger

• Title: The Lone Ranger #11
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Ande Parks
• Artist: Esteve Polls

After spending several issues exploring Tonto‘s past before he met the Masked Man, The Lone Ranger #11 returns to the “present” to focus on the Lone Ranger‘s struggle to get his wounded friend the medical attention he so desperately needs.

The warriors of the Ute tribe would prefer to kill the Ranger, and the elders seem perfectly willing to turn him away, but the Masked Man argues persuasively for the life of his friend. However, to save Tonto he’ll have to work with the braves to save the Ute medicine woman from local Mormons.

What should be a relatively simple mission is complicated by the braves’ double-cross and a second twist involving the identity of the doctor the Ranger doesn’t see coming.

I was hoping the flashbacks would take us up to the first meeting of the Lone Ranger and Tonto, but with only one issue left in the arc we may not get to see writer Ande Parks’ take on the famous scene following the death of all but one Ranger at the hands of Butch Cavendish. For fans.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

• Title: The Lone Ranger: Snake of Iron #4 (of 4)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chuck Dixon
• Artist: Esteve Polls

In the final issue of The Lone Ranger: Snake of Iron the role of Lassie is played by Tonto‘s faithful horse Scout who leads the Lone Ranger and soldiers to the stalled train which has been seized by not one but two tribes of Indian warriors.

While waiting for the Masked Man, Tonto does what he can to stop the scared travelers on the train from making matters worse. Eventually he ventures out with the young Indian boy one of the tribes has come to collect in an attempt to stop further bloodshed.

Although Tonto is only partially successful in his attempt, it does buy him enough time for reinforcements to arrive including the unusual sighting of the female reporter on her camel that stops all fighting long enough to get the situation sorted out.

Although far from perfect, the mini-series has spotlighted Tonto’s honor and skill set when separated from the Lone Ranger and the final issue manages to wrap-up the various subplots without too much trouble. For fans.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

• Title: The Lone Ranger: Snake of Iron #3
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chuck Dixon
• Artist: Esteve Polls

Tonto and his fellow passengers on-board the halted train try to keep the attacking Kiowa war party at bay hoping that help will arrive before they all are killed or freeze to death. Back at Fort Griffin, the Lone Ranger argues tirelessly with the garrison’s commander to ride out into the blizzard and bring peace to the local tribe with the help of Miss Travers’ camel who the braves believe is the legendary spirit horse.

When the news arrives of the train’s failure to arrive at its destination, the Lone Ranger convinces the commander to follow his lead and set out the next morning. However, to locate the exact location of the train somewhere in a 200 mile stretch will take luck, or, if Tonto is correct, the right horse to lead the Lone Ranger and Silver back to him.

The issue showcases the rising tension in both situations, but it looks like we’ll have to wait at least another month before the two storylines converge and the Lone Ranger arrives to help his faithful Indian companion. For fans.

[Dynamite, $3.99]

• Title: The Lone Ranger #10
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Ande Parks
• Artist: Esteve Polls

Tonto returns home after killing all but one of the soldiers who attacked his people and killed his wife as the “Native Ground” storyline continues.

With so much blood on his hands, even bathing in the nearby river can’t get the Native American warrior clean. Realizing the man he left alive will tell others of his actions and put his tribe at risk, Tonto decides he must leave the tribe and give the white man another target to chase, and fear.

Back in the present, the Lone Ranger finally reaches the elders of the Ute tribe only to be told their is nothing to be done for his fallen friend. We know Tonto isn’t going to die, but it seems the Ranger will have his hands full to convince the tribe to help him as the story concludes over the next two issues.

Although the story arc has filled in quite a bit of backstory, we’re now four issues in and no closer to learning the events that brought Tonto and the Lone Ranger together. I’m hoping that part of the story will be told by the Ranger in his quest to get his companion the help he needs to survive. For fans.

[IDW, $3.99]