Lone Rider (part 1)

The Lone Rider is was an example of what you might call a "transitional character."  In first half of the twentieth century, western adventure tales were a major genre of interest. This manifested in movie and radio serials, television shows, novels...and comic books.  At the same time so-called "mystery men" (e.g., The Shadow, the Spirit, etc.) and superheroes (e.g., Superman, Captain America, etc.) were pretty big deals.  It was only natural that there would be some hybridized characters that straddled these realms.

Probably the most-famous (and long-lasting) of the Cowboy-Mystery-Man hybrids was the Lone Ranger (first appearing in a radio serial in 1933). As with almost every other trope in children's entertainment at that time, the success of the Lone Ranger bred a bevy of imitators.  One such is the focus of today's post:  Ajax-Farrell's Lone Rider.

Lone Rider # 1 (April 1951)

Double Trouble

The inaugural appearance of the Lone Rider begins as many such stories did, by jumping straight into a world in which the Rider is already accepted as a force for justice in late 19th century American West.

The story begins with the Rider overseeing the transfer of goods from some white traders to an unspecified Indian tribe.

How many North American tribes are you
aware of that had trade-able reserves of
gold on hand?

The transaction completed, the Rider parts ways with the tribe.  As he rides off, however, we discover that our hero is entering the range defenseless, as Bright Feather--the son of the chief--has at some prior point pilfered both of the hero's guns in order to polish them up

So right off the bat, I've got
some serious reservations about
Lone Rider's alertness and
competence as hero.

Naturally, Bright Feather comes running out of the teepee just as our titular hero is trotting off into the horizon.  Somehow, despite the fact that Lone Rider didn't hear Bright Feather calling to him as when he was still in the camp...he did hear the little brave shouting his name across the wide open spaces of the prairie.

I mean, it's reasonable
the Rider couldn't hear...
he's a little far off--

Ahhhh...yeah.  So, No way he
didn't hear Bright Feather back
at the camp.

The Rider's musings about what in the world the little boy he apparently entrusted with his firearms could possibly want, is interrupted by a grazing bullet. Deftly taking cover, the Rider informs his trusty steed Lightnin' that they're being fired upon!

Golly, Rider!  You mean, they
don't just hate these cans?!

Despite his apparent inability to keep track of his sidearms, when the moment demands it the Rider rises to the occasion.  Hopping out from behind the safety of a rock, our hero dodges the whizzing bullets to approach Bright Feather's position.

Once there, we realize that the little brave (who has taken some shots with the Rider's pistols in attempt to give him some cover) has suffered a wrist wound.

Don't be too hard on
yourself, Bright Feather...
there's plenty of foolishness
to go around.

 
Next week, we'll conclude this exciting tale.  Will the Rider stay alive long enough to find out who's shooting at him?  Will he remember to hold onto his pistols?  Will they be loaded?  Tune in next week to find out!