The Lone Ranger is back with the start of a four part arc. Does the fifteenth installment bring the same level of quality the previous issues had? It’s only the greatest comic you’ll read this week.

Here’s the official description from Dynamite:

The beginning of a bold new arc that takes the Lone Ranger and Tonto across the Mississippi to the eastern half of the United States. The Ranger wants answers from a federal agent who used and betrayed the West’s most iconic heroes. Getting satisfaction proves costly, as neither the Lone Ranger or Tonto are ready for what may be the deadliest setting they’ve ever faced- the back rooms and hidden agendas of the “civilized” world. Back East, part one of four.

The Lone Ranger is one of the most genuine titles on the stands. It has an intimacy that is lacking from the ‘big budget’ titles such as Justice League or Uncanny Avengers. This issue Is a perfect example of that. It manages to be a story of heart while being an opener to something pretty big for the series. What would it be like for the Ranger and Tonto to be in a largely populated city? If that question intrigues you, you’re going to love Back East.

Ande Parks crafts a very great first part. The road to ‘getting back East’ is a good read. We’re treated to a flashback of the Ranger’s younger days. Despite appearing in numerous things, the character’s backstory is something of a mystery, so it’s very cool to see something like this. Plus it’s genuinely good and will make you even feel a little sad inside. I like how this issue relies on its fantastic writing to pull through. That’s not to say action is vacant, the fight scene in the yacht was one of the best action pieces this series has seen.

Esteve Poll’s art is pretty solid throughout. There’s a really fantastic shot of the shadowed Ranger near the beginning. The fight is amazingly done, blows are felt. The cover I don’t particularly like too much. It doesn’t really compliment the story or really say anything about it at all.

Overall, a fantastic opener to Back East. Aside from the great concept of putting the two characters in an urban area, this issue has a really engaging flashback of the Ranger’s past and some pretty satisfying action. I’ve said this before, but it should be said again. You need to be reading The Lone Ranger.

5/5

My name is Daniel (@Destroyer_199), the main guy for comic reviews here at Unleash the Fanboy. I was born in 1995 in the Big Apple, spent my formative years in Staten Island, and currently reside in the awesome state that is New Jersey.