Hey, guys! Long time, no talk. Terrific episode. Your thoughts on the movie more or less mirror my own. There was potential there, it just felt squandered. I wonder what a sequel would've looked like had it been successful enough to warrant one. I think (and hope) it would've had a more traditional Lone Ranger feel.
As to some of the unevenness, I seem to remember when it was first announced that it was going to be more of a horror-based story (maybe even with werewolves) so maybe that's why there are vampire rabbits and the wendigo aspect to Cavendish. I think Disney pushed back on that approach after production began and turned it into more adventure than horror. I'm OK with that. I like weird westerns as much as the next guy, but I didn't think it worked for the Lone Ranger when Joe R. Lansdale and Tim Truman did it in the comics in the 90s and I don't think it would've worked here either. That type of story just doesn't fit the Ranger well.
As far as Westernin' goes, I have some things for you guys to check out. First up are a couple graphic novels, "Lead City" from Red 5 Comics and "Prodigal Son" from Thunder Comics. "Lead City" is basically a Western/Mortal Kombat mash-up as a man enters a kill-or-be-killed fight to get enough money to save his wife when she contracts a sickness on their wagon train trip to California. Not bad. And "Prodigal Son" features a kid who goes after the outlaw gang that ambushed the wagon train he was a part of, killing everyone but him. He winds up hooking up with an old man and woman also after the gang. It felt rushed at the end, but not a bad read.
The other 2 things are TV shows, the Australian series "Wild Boys" and the British series "Jericho". "Wild Boys" features a couple bush rangers and their friends trying to out maneuver the corrupt captain of the army post in the nearby town. Fantastic series! I do a re-watch each year as it only lasted one season of about 10 episodes. I REALLY wish it had more seasons as it's a blast. I just started "Jericho" last week. It's basically a British version of "Hell On Wheels" as the show follows the lives of the people in a town that sprung up where a viaduct is being built for a railroad. I'm about half way thru it and am really liking it. It's only one season as well so I hope it doesn't end on a cliffhanger. Both shows are on Prime.
Thank you so much for those recommendations. I'll bring them up on the show, 'cause I know Pax will be interested too, but I've definitely added them to my reading and watching lists.
I don't think I knew about the Lansdale/Truman Lone Ranger. Or if I did, I forgot about it. I love both of those guys, but I agree that they're a strange choice to create a Lone Ranger comic. Jonah Hex, absolutely. I enjoyed their stuff on that. But I don't need a dark version of Lone Ranger.
Hey, guys! Long time, no talk. Terrific episode. Your thoughts on the movie more or less mirror my own. There was potential there, it just felt squandered. I wonder what a sequel would've looked like had it been successful enough to warrant one. I think (and hope) it would've had a more traditional Lone Ranger feel.
ReplyDeleteAs to some of the unevenness, I seem to remember when it was first announced that it was going to be more of a horror-based story (maybe even with werewolves) so maybe that's why there are vampire rabbits and the wendigo aspect to Cavendish. I think Disney pushed back on that approach after production began and turned it into more adventure than horror. I'm OK with that. I like weird westerns as much as the next guy, but I didn't think it worked for the Lone Ranger when Joe R. Lansdale and Tim Truman did it in the comics in the 90s and I don't think it would've worked here either. That type of story just doesn't fit the Ranger well.
As far as Westernin' goes, I have some things for you guys to check out. First up are a couple graphic novels, "Lead City" from Red 5 Comics and "Prodigal Son" from Thunder Comics. "Lead City" is basically a Western/Mortal Kombat mash-up as a man enters a kill-or-be-killed fight to get enough money to save his wife when she contracts a sickness on their wagon train trip to California. Not bad. And "Prodigal Son" features a kid who goes after the outlaw gang that ambushed the wagon train he was a part of, killing everyone but him. He winds up hooking up with an old man and woman also after the gang. It felt rushed at the end, but not a bad read.
The other 2 things are TV shows, the Australian series "Wild Boys" and the British series "Jericho". "Wild Boys" features a couple bush rangers and their friends trying to out maneuver the corrupt captain of the army post in the nearby town. Fantastic series! I do a re-watch each year as it only lasted one season of about 10 episodes. I REALLY wish it had more seasons as it's a blast. I just started "Jericho" last week. It's basically a British version of "Hell On Wheels" as the show follows the lives of the people in a town that sprung up where a viaduct is being built for a railroad. I'm about half way thru it and am really liking it. It's only one season as well so I hope it doesn't end on a cliffhanger. Both shows are on Prime.
Hi, RB! It's so good to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for those recommendations. I'll bring them up on the show, 'cause I know Pax will be interested too, but I've definitely added them to my reading and watching lists.
I don't think I knew about the Lansdale/Truman Lone Ranger. Or if I did, I forgot about it. I love both of those guys, but I agree that they're a strange choice to create a Lone Ranger comic. Jonah Hex, absolutely. I enjoyed their stuff on that. But I don't need a dark version of Lone Ranger.
The Lansdale/Truman Lone Ranger comic was a mini-series from the short-lived Topps Comics. Below is a link to see the covers.
Deletehttps://www.fbi-comics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_8634.jpg
Oh! I remember seeing those now! Never read them though.
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