Zorro

Lady Rawhide / Lady Zorro #1

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Lady Rawhide / Lady Zorro #1After faking the death of Zorro to protect Don Diego’s identity while he is out of town helping to build a new mission, Lady Zorro and Lady Rawhide discover a town full of kidnapped girls and agree to continue working together to return the young women home safely before they are turned into slaves and whores by those responsible for their abduction.

The first issue of the new Dynamite Entertainment four-issue mini-series sets the stage for what’s to come. I took a look at the first issue out of curiosity more than anything else. A mix of sex and surprisingly brutal action Lady Rawhide / Lady Zorro #1 isn’t the kind of series I’m likely to stick with.

I have no connection to or knowledge of the ludicrously-garbed Lady Rawhide and her motivations, and Dynamite still hasn’t sold me on Lady Zorro as anything more than a somewhat ridiculous supporting character. Fans of either, or both, of these women are likely to enjoy the issue more than I did. Pass.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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Lady Zorro #1

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Lady Zorro #1Introduced in Matt Wagner’s Zorro Rides Again series, Lady Zorro is brought out of retirement by Zorro himself who needs her help to recover a sacred Indian war axe, stolen by mercenary soldiers with whom she discovers she has unfinished business.

Although I could have done with a bit less cheesecake from artist Rey Villegas, for a comic titled Lady Zorro it’s certainly nothing unexpected. For those unfamiliar with the character’s origins writer Alex de Campi works in Esmeralda’s troubled past while centering the story around characters and events both crucial to the protection of California and tied to personal vengeance (on both sides after Esmeralda dispatches the female friend of the soldier responsible for the slaughter of her family in a rather brutal manner).

If your interest wasn’t already piqued beforehand, Lady Zorro #1 won’t do much to sell you on the mini-series but Zorro fans will likely enjoy the swordplay and the chance to see Lady Zorro in action once more. For fans.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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Zorro Rides Again #2

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zorro-rides-again-2-coverMatt Wagner’s take on the classic tale of Zorro continues. Issue three follows three separate storylines. The first is Don Diego’s father still trying to come to terms with knowing his son is Zorro (and assuming shame is the reason why Don Diego has kept this secret from him).

The second is the attempt by the alcade to seize the lands of Don Carlos for his own. The reasons for the alcade’s interest in a very average plot of land are revealed.

And the third is a widow who has become obsessed with Zorro after he saves her but is unable to do the same for her family. How this story will intertwine with the other two will have to be seen.

Wagner weaves these stories together well, and even if this second issue is a little light on action he’s laid the groundwork here for the main threads of his second Zorro series. Worth a look.

[Dynamite, $3.99]

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The Death of Zorro #1

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death-of-zorro-1-coverFrom Dynamite Entertainment and writer Ande Parks comes a team-up (of sorts) between two of Dynamite’s biggest stars. Our story begins with an aging Don Diego de la Vega putting on the costume one more time when soldiers attack a nearby mission, and ends when news hits the comic’s other masked man that the hero known as Zorro is dead.

Although I’m not a big fan of Esteve Polls’ art, the issue does have a few things going for it. First, it gives us the Lone Ranger and Zorro in a single comic (although it fails to give us the two of the together in even a single panel, which is a bit of a disappointment). The presentation of Diego’s final battle juxtaposed by the note he left his wife is also a nice touch.

All that said, too much of the issue centers around periphery characters which I doubt will play that big of a role in the rest of the series. As first issues go, especially for a five-issue mini-series, this one needs to deliver more up front. Hit-and-Miss.

[Dynamite, $3.99]

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Zorro #8

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  • Title: Zorro #8
  • Comic Vine: link

“In time, even his enemies came to believe in the legend of El Zorro!”

In this eighth issue Matt Wagner wraps up his Zorro “Year One” storyline with the fox confronting Sgt. Gonzalez over his brutality and rescuing the imprisoned Padre Mendoza and other captives.

Unlike the previous issues here the story stays completely in the present without flashbacks to Diego’s childhood or apprenticeship overseas.  Instead we get a strong opening with Diego donning the Zorro costume and plenty of action, sword fights, and a big escape scene showcasing the stealth, brains, and skill of our hero.

With each issue we’ve seen more of Zorro on the page, and here the character dominates, beautifully rendered by Francesco Francavilla.  In terms of both story and style this series has done right to the name and legacy of Zorro.

Those who haven’t been keeping up with this series should peruse the back issues in your local comic shop, or look for the hardcover volume of these first eight issues which is scheduled to hit stores next month.  Zorro rides again, and you don’t want to miss the fun!

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