Dynamite's New Zorro

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I just read the first issue of Dynamite's new Zorro comic and was very impressed. Matt Wagner and Francesco Francavilla make a great team.

This is a darker Zorro, closer to Johnston McCulley's pulp version. McCulley's version was known to take life, and Wagner's does as well. His blade does more than just leave a mark on some. Wagner also borrowed from the recent Isabel Allende novel, which also took a Year One approach, going through Diego's childhood, and exploring his Indian mother's roots.

The lovable Sgt Garcia from Disney's TV version is reverted back to the original Sgt Gonzalez, who, in the original pulps, was anything but lovable. In fact, he's a rather cruel and sadistic soldier who abuses his authority, a hard drinker and a womanizer.

Although Zorro takes place in old California in the early 1800s, the stories have always been more 18th century swashbuckler than western. He does not employ 6-shooter revolvers (for one thing, they hadn't been invented yet), as a typical western good guy might. He uses his blade and sometimes a whip.

Zorro may be something of an anachronism for a modern audience. But hey, you're comic book fans, you're willing to try something new. Check it out!

[saintsaucey]

I picked it up, wasn't overly pleased with the first issue but I'll stick with it till it gets better. I'm used to the family channel Zorro series.

[mattx110]

I just read the first issue of Dynamite's new Zorro comic and was very impressed. Matt Wagner and Francesco Francavilla make a great team.

This is a darker Zorro, closer to Johnston McCulley's pulp version. McCulley's version was known to take life, and Wagner's does as well. His blade does more than just leave a mark on some. Wagner also borrowed from the recent Isabel Allende novel, which also took a Year One approach, going through Diego's childhood, and exploring his Indian mother's roots.

The lovable Sgt Garcia from Disney's TV version is reverted back to the original Sgt Gonzalez, who, in the original pulps, was anything but lovable. In fact, he's a rather cruel and sadistic soldier who abuses his authority, a hard drinker and a womanizer.

Although Zorro takes place in old California in the early 1800s, the stories have always been more 18th century swashbuckler than western. He does not employ 6-shooter revolvers (for one thing, they hadn't been invented yet), as a typical western good guy might. He uses his blade and sometimes a whip.

Zorro may be something of an anachronism for a modern audience. But hey, you're comic book fans, you're willing to try something new. Check it out!
I was actually about to post a thread about this asking if anyone picked it up. That is really a perfect team to take on Zorro.

[PamGrierOverdrive]

It's good stuff. Wagner excels at writing these types of darkly pulp characters.

[JohnPopa]

It was ok. I would have liked more actual Zorro action. I know, I know ... 'writing for the trade' and all that.

Still, if it takes six issues to get to Zorro, I'm pretty sure I won't be around to find out how it goes.

[PamGrierOverdrive]

I hate the "writing for the trade mentality" with a white passion. It was that sort of pacing that soured me on the Lone Ranger series. But I think the main reason I was so excited about this title is that it picks up points from Allende's novel, which I enjoyed a great deal.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I really enjoyed the Allende novel too. In that one, Zorro never appeared until the last 30 pages or so. I don't think that will be the case in this series. Wagner said he cherry-picked the elements from all the various Zorro incarnations.

[PamGrierOverdrive]

Wasn't his first appearance about half way through the novel, after he joined La Justicia and broke into the house of the French representative to force the release of the hostages?

[lonewolf23k]

Picked it up, and it's definetly a title I intend to continue following.

[King Krypton]

I picked it up, wasn't overly pleased with the first issue but I'll stick with it till it gets better. I'm used to the family channel Zorro series.

The Disney show is much, much better (darker, more aggressive in its tone and style, larger-than-life music, big epic storylines, better at fusing slapstick moments with whiplash action). And the Tyrone Power movie is a classic. (The Frank Langella TV movie remake lacks some of the original elan, but good acting elevates it a lot.) And the violence of Wagner's first issue is yanked right from both the pulps and the first Banderas Zorro movie, so it's a compendium of the best incarnations of he character. (The bit where Zorro flashes a smile while hidden in shadow was so Guy Williams. I could almost hear his laugh while I was reading.)

This is a darker Zorro, closer to Johnston McCulley's pulp version. McCulley's version was known to take life, and Wagner's does as well. His blade does more than just leave a mark on some.

That was the case in the original movies as well, and Disney's Zorro killed in direct combat more than once as I recall (once with a pistol). Best Zorro kill ever: Power wasting Rathbone after a pitched battle in The Mark of Zorro.

The lovable Sgt Garcia from Disney's TV version is reverted back to the original Sgt Gonzalez, who, in the original pulps, was anything but lovable. In fact, he's a rather cruel and sadistic soldier who abuses his authority, a hard drinker and a womanizer.

One thing I'd like to see is Garcia show up as a subordinant officer who dislikes the horrors Gonzalez and the alcalde perpetrate, but is duty-bound not to challenge them and secretly admires Zorro for being able to do what he can't. That way you can keep Gonzalez as is, you can bring Garcia in while keeping his characterization mostly intact, and nothing is harmed by it. Obviously that won't happen here, but it would be nice to see.

At any rate, I'm sticking with this. I'm always up for some classic Zorro, especially when it's this good.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Wasn't his first appearance about half way through the novel, after he joined La Justicia and broke into the house of the French representative to force the release of the hostages?

I believe that was more the "prototype" Zorro when Diego was younger. The fully adult version most of us think of as Zorro didn't appear until towards the end.

I highly recommend the Allende novel if anyone is interested in Zorro.

[PamGrierOverdrive]

Okay, I see what you're saying. I just always counted that as his debut because it was the first appearance of all his trademarks, including the cape, mask and "Z" calling card. In any event you're right on the money, the book was pretty cool.

[Lupek]

One thing I'd like to see is Garcia show up as a subordinant officer who dislikes the horrors Gonzalez and the alcalde perpetrate, but is duty-bound not to challenge them and secretly admires Zorro for being able to do what he can't. That way you can keep Gonzalez as is, you can bring Garcia in while keeping his characterization mostly intact, and nothing is harmed by it. Obviously that won't happen here, but it would be nice to see.


I would love for that to happen.

I'm a big fan of the Tyrone Powers Zorro and I like the Banderas movies but Guy Williams is the Zorro I love the most. Disney needs to put out a complete series set on DVD.

Anyway, having just read issue # 4 I wanted to post and say that this series is terrific!

Do we know how long Matt Wagner is scheduled to stay on this?

[mgs]

I really liked Papercutz versions of the comic book characters. How do Dynamite's versions compare?

[Lupek]

I really liked Papercutz versions of the comic book characters. How do Dynamite's versions compare?

I picked up the Papercutz Zorro. I remember thinking that Don McGregors story was pretty good but I did not care for the art. As for a comparison I'll have to go back and take another look at the Papercutz version because it's been a little while but I dont think it was a retelling of Zorro's origin.

[mgs]

I picked up the Papercutz Zorro. I remember thinking that Don McGregors story was pretty good but I did not care for the art. As for a comparison I'll have to go back and take another look at the Papercutz version because it's been a little while but I dont think it was a retelling of Zorro's origin.

I love the art! :) Very cartoony, but the subject matter is mature.

And the books I have, yeah, nothing really about his origin or anything. Kinda got right into the action.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I thought the Papercutz version was awful but I believe it was for a younger audience. Wagner's version is more adult oriented. I just read issue 4 and am really enjoying this series.

[Dr.J.]

A VERY classy series, but, this group"la justica", Are they from the original 1919 zorro pulp story, or a new addition,seen for the first time?Dont mind getting back to the roots, but dont care for altering the concept.

[Lupek]

Issue 5 was great. The whole series has been great.

Dr J, I only know Zorro from all the movies and tv shows. I dont know what the deal is with La Justicia but it's cool as hell.

I am really interested in the other members of La Justicia. I hope that is not the end of them in this series.

[Guicho]

A VERY classy series, but, this group"la justica", Are they from the original 1919 zorro pulp story, or a new addition,seen for the first time?Dont mind getting back to the roots, but dont care for altering the concept.

La Justicia was first introduced in the Isabel Allende novel.
The 1919 McCully pulp novels begin with Zorro already fully formed, no origin. So Allende was the first to explore and really develope it.
La Destreza (or the Mysterious Circle or Magic Circle) the method, concepts and ideals taught by the Maestro head of La Justicia in the novel and in Wagner's Zorro are (or were) a real sixteenth Century Spanish sword system, often associated with the occult due to it's mysterious nature and incredible proficiency, stressing the development of the whole man; body mind, and spirit.

A slight homage was made to this method of training in the first Banderas Zorro movie where De La Vega (Anthony Hopkins) trains Murieta (Banderas) inside a circle (The Masters Wheel) drawn on the ground in the cave.This same symbol appears on the amulet De La vega gives the Murieta brothers and later allows him to recognize him as an adult.
Allende later also pays homage to this by having the Maestro give the Young De La Vega after completing his training in the circle an amulet engraved with the mysterious circle on it. I'm surprised Wagner left it out.
Also of the 5 objects he as a member was meant to venerate;
Bread - Charity
The Sword - Courage
The Chalice - Elixir of Compassion
The Rose - Life and Beauty
Oddly missing were the Scales - representing the fight for Justice.
Maybe he thought it was redundant, :confused:

A slightly altered version of La Justicia (although transplanted to Los Angeles instead of Barcelona) but essentially the same concept appeared in the Zorro Tele Novela, guiding Zorro and helping him maintain his moral compass.
http://www.zorrolegend.com/zorro2007/ep51-60/ep59f.jpg
http://www.zorrolegend.com/zorro2007/ep101-110/ep107n.jpg
http://www.zorrolegend.com/zorro2007/ep111-112/ep112q.jpg

So it's a new addition, but there is plenty of precedent for it before Wagner.

.

[mattx110]

I would love for that to happen.

I'm a big fan of the Tyrone Powers Zorro and I like the Banderas movies but Guy Williams is the Zorro I love the most. Disney needs to put out a complete series set on DVD.

Anyway, having just read issue # 4 I wanted to post and say that this series is terrific!

Do we know how long Matt Wagner is scheduled to stay on this?
Me too. Seen so many episodes of Guy Williams and he's just too much fun as Don Diego.


"¿Quien Sabe? Who knows what the fates will bring?":biggrin:

[Lupek]

Here is the solicit for Zorro #9..........

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0808/20/dynamitenov.htm


ZORRO #9

Written by Matt Wagner, art by Caesar Razek, covers by Wagner and Francesco Francavilla.

Welcome artist Cesar Rezak to the team for this 6-issue arc! In issue #9, a new love interest is introduced as Zorro continues to be hounded by the military men that he's made to look so foolish and incompetent.

32 pages, $3.50.

[DonEMC]

I picked up the Papercutz Zorro. I remember thinking that Don McGregors story was pretty good but I did not care for the art. As for a comparison I'll have to go back and take another look at the Papercutz version because it's been a little while but I dont think it was a retelling of Zorro's origin.

I really liked the Topps version and NO version compares with the Alex Toth Zorro.
I loved Don McGregor's stories on the Topps version and the Mike Mayhew and Andy Mushynsky artwork was absolutely beautiful. Much different than the Papercutz Zorro, which had good stories, but the art was, in my opinion, terrible.
The latest Zorro incarnation has been too slow for my tastes. I expected a lot more from Matt Wagner. I like the way the art is rendered, but I think the pacing is moving at a snail's pace and I'd like to see a little more Zorro.
I love The Lone Ranger from Dynamite, but I have to admit, I get a little frustrated at buying an episode and it's a story that could have been told in three or four pages of ONE comic, rather than spread out over six issues.
The Man With No Name has been the biggest disappointment from Dynamite. Cristos N. Gage is a good writer, but this series, so far, has been really badly written and the art is even worse. But, they have the tough job of trying to make a good spaghetti western into a comic -- without Clint Eastwood.
I get every single issue of these and The Lone Ranger is the best of the three westerns Dynamite publishes. Zorro is an underachieving title at best.
There's so much potential there, but it's not being tapped.

[Nakomah]

Not to totally disagree with DonEMC but....I totally disagree with Don EMC! I have thoroughly enjoyed all three of these titles, Lone Ranger is a great new take on the masked man and the revamping of Tonto adds a true depth that has not been seen recently. Zorro is fun and the slow revel that so many complain about is actually the reason i keep buying. I like to savor my books and come back each month for a bigger taste. Man With No Name has been a fun ride and you cannot really expect a series of movies to translate EXACTLY into the comic medium but I think it has been fun and I am in it for the long haul!
I believe Dynamite has converted me from the Superhero (or the
'" Big Two") into their world. And as a side note I think Superpowers is Okay but that is all.

[DonEMC]

Not to totally disagree with DonEMC but....I totally disagree with Don EMC! I have thoroughly enjoyed all three of these titles, Lone Ranger is a great new take on the masked man and the revamping of Tonto adds a true depth that has not been seen recently. Zorro is fun and the slow revel that so many complain about is actually the reason i keep buying. I like to savor my books and come back each month for a bigger taste. Man With No Name has been a fun ride and you cannot really expect a series of movies to translate EXACTLY into the comic medium but I think it has been fun and I am in it for the long haul!
I believe Dynamite has converted me from the Superhero (or the
'" Big Two") into their world. And as a side note I think Superpowers is Okay but that is all.

I am more of a fan of the style of writing that Mark Waid used in Brave and the Bold, where each issue is done in one, but still ties into a larger storyline. Or, if you want a better example, try Grant Morrison's New X-Men from some years past. I think he's doing the same thing with Final Crisis as I write this, but, so far, it's not turning out nearly as great as New X-Men was every issue.
But, back to Zorror, Lone Ranger and Man With No Name ... I like both Zorro and Lone Ranger, I just think there are better versions from Topps Comics done in the 1990s (two of the few bright spots of the 1990s). I also think Man With No Name is a Book With No Real Story. It's just plodding along. I think sometimes these big name writers get paid for basic stories just because of their names and how many copies that name will sell in comparison to how many readers John Doe might get.
Like having Alex Ross do a cover or attach his name to a property. Remember Big Entertainment and the Tekno Comics universe? Each property had a big name writer attached to the books, but they never lived up to the hype. Same is happening here.
Now, Red Sonja is a book I thoroughly enjoy and it's pacing is just fine. No hurries there, but no slow-down, either.
I read the three Dynamite westerns, but so far, I'm not too impressed with any of the three.
If I have to cut back, those three get chopped in favor of the MUCH BETTER Jonah Hex. Now, there's the best comic being published today, no doubt about it.
And Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray both are great writers, but they are overachieving on Jonah Hex.

[Nakomah]

I will actually agree with you Don on the "Hype" aspect. Cannot stand the numerous covers gimmick just to get excitement. I also agree that Jonah hex is one of the best books going now but still have to love the current Zorro, Lone ranger and Man books. All is good and cool though. I am just slowly being turned off the Hero books.
try Usagi Yojimbo for one of the most consistent and entertaining books in years. never a bad issue!

[Lupek]

Don, I can see your point about Lone Ranger. Despite being a little gritty and violent, I find Dynamite's Ranger book to be less a slam bam Spaghetti Western and more of a sprawling epic like a John Ford Western. I agree the pace in LR isn't fast but it works for me.

But Zorro doesn't seem too decompressed. I don't know a lot about the literary Zorro but as a Zorro film and tv fan, I like getting into more detail about Zorro's origin (La Justicia etc). It seems to be moving along just right.

And I agree about Jonah Hex being a cut above. But it's a cut above most comic books not just the western books.

Oh and I picked up a trade collection of Toth's Zorro. It looks fantastic. I've got to get to it soon.

[Dr.J.]

It's a shame, that so many of the fans out there, age 40 and older,who see the glory days of comics 20-30-40 or more years in the past,who blow big bucks on those old books, wont put aside just a few of those bucks to support classy stuff like dynamite is putting out.Now if only they could get Steranko to do some covers!

[DonEMC]

It's a shame, that so many of the fans out there, age 40 and older,who see the glory days of comics 20-30-40 or more years in the past,who blow big bucks on those old books, wont put aside just a few of those bucks to support classy stuff like dynamite is putting out.Now if only they could get Steranko to do some covers!

It's called BUYING WHAT YOU LIKE, my friend. It's just the way the world works.

[Lupek]

Preview of Zorro #7 (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18151)

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

It's a shame, that so many of the fans out there, age 40 and older,who see the glory days of comics 20-30-40 or more years in the past,who blow big bucks on those old books, wont put aside just a few of those bucks to support classy stuff like dynamite is putting out.Now if only they could get Steranko to do some covers!

I'm one of those 40+, however, I do read Dynamite's Zorro and Lone Ranger. Zorro is especially good, the best Zorro comic since Alex Toth's. I like that Wagner has selected the best from the character's various incarnations over the years (McCulley's original pulps, the Disney version, the recent Allende book) and molded them into one arc. I think it's fabulous.

The Lone Ranger is okay, but I thought Joe Landsdale's "Weird Western" version from the early 90s was better.