Pulling It All Together

Zorro Rides Again 1-6
Dynamite Entertainment
Matt Wagner, writer
Esteve Polls, artist

I've always liked Zorro, so picking up Dynamite's first Zorro series penned by Matt Wagner was a no-brainer. That series lasted for 20 issues and served to re-tell the origins of the character in details that, if not completely original, were certainly new to me. Diego de la Vega received much of his training at the hands of a secret society of masked vigilantes in Spain. His adopting the identity of el Zorro, the fox, is in keeping with the traditions of this secret society, as all of the adventurers in the society have similar names and spirit animals.

After a marvelous 20-issue run, Wagner took a short break, but promised to return to the series. In the interim, Dynamite published a pair of limited series centered on the character. First was a four-issue tale by Don MacGregor, no stranger to Zorro tales. The second served to link the legends of Zorro and the Lone Ranger.

Now Wagner has returned for Zorro Rides Again, which has been billed as only a 12-issue run. These first six issues make it clear that Zorro has had many adventures since the origin tale Wagner first told and that this may well prove to be the hero of California's final outing. Already in just the first six issues, several characters long-associated with the legend of Zorro have either met a final fate or been changed in quite drastic ways. In the hands of a lesser writer, that might make this seem like less a Zorro tale than one featuring some other hero masquerading as the true Zorro. But in Wagner's hands, the story unfolds in a manner that seems quite natural for the characters, and gives the events a weight that makes the reader feel for these characters as though they were flesh and blood individuals.

The artwork in these issues is also top-notch. Polls brings a fluidity to the characters' movements that evokes the swordplay they are known for, and his California countryside backgrounds look spectacular. Adding to the feel of the artwork is the wonderful use of colors, so thanks and praise must also be extended to colorist Oscar Manuel Martin.