GRAPHIC NOVELS

The Lone Ranger/Green Hornet. Vol. 1: Champions of Justice. Dynamite

by Michael Uslan
Giovanni Timpano (illus.). Mar. 2017. 148p. ISBN 9781524102944. pap. $19.99. SUPERHERO
COPY ISBN
This unsuccessful attempt to capture the nostalgia of the Lone Ranger and Green Hornet, arguably the most popular radio shows of the 1930s, centers on the titular characters clumsily connected through family. Here, the aging Ranger and upstart Hornet tackle corny villains in order to save the day once again. Yet, while Uslan's writing is admirable, his plot to link the two heroes proves to be no easy feat; the Ranger's history is traced to the mid- to late 19th century, while the Hornet emerged in the early 20th century. The story is hard to follow, and the portrayal of sidekicks Tonto and Kato is handled poorly. Timpano's art carries a distinct style, but the action scenes in particular are baffling in their construct.
VERDICT Unable to rekindle whatever magic the original radio shows had, this volume might be picked up for sentimental reasons, but readers will be disappointed by the interpretation of their childhood champions, and newcomers will be thoroughly disengaged.
Reviewed by Ryan Claringbole, Wisconsin Dept. of Pub. Instruction, Madison , Mar 31, 2017
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