The break is over! Below is my column from the Waller County News Citizen. It is cross-posted on my other blog. Since I will be writing about the Lone Ranger for a few weeks, I thought it should be posted here as well.
The name of this column is Faith, Family & Fun. For the next few weeks I’m taking a tangent on the fun side.
As most of you know, I own the Lone Ranger Fan Club (www.lonerangerfanclub.com). I got into that gig because I wanted to write a Lone Ranger novel. I have many ideas in mind. I simply lack the time to get them down on paper (or in Word on my computer). I’ve decided to do the proverbial killing of two birds with one silver bullet and hash out a condensed version of one of my story ideas here in my column.
All I’m asking of you is to be patient and to provide some feedback. If the Lone Ranger, or Westerns in general, aren’t your thing, that’s OK. There are plenty of other stories to read in this newspaper. But if you’d like to help me flesh out a really cool story, please read and respond. Please e-mail me at jsouthern@hcnonline.com or lonerangerfanclub@sbcglobal.net and let me know what you think of my little tale. It will appear serial-style over the next few weeks.
I figure the best place to start is with the origin story. As any fan knows, the Lone Ranger came to be when a group of six Texas Rangers pursued a band of outlaws to a canyon known as Bryant’s Gap. There, the Cavendish gang ambushed them and killed all but one. Unbeknownst to Cavendish, one Ranger survived the attack.
That evening, after the gang had gone, an Indian by the name of Tonto came upon the scene and found the one man still alive. He rendered aid and nursed the man back to health. Tonto buried the five dead men and made a sixth, empty grave so no one would know that anyone survived. Wearing a mask to hide his identity, the surviving Ranger – the Lone Ranger – dedicated his life to capturing the gang and serving justice throughout the West.
What follows here is a condensed version – an outline – of how I think the story should go down. I doubt the Disney version will be anything like this when the new movie comes out in a couple years, but at least I can put my spin on the legend.
From the Precipice
The Lone Ranger lay on his back, his head hanging over nothingness off the canyon rim and his vision blurred by sweat, blood and oxygen depravation. The two vice-like hands gripping his throat belonged to a madman – a man he once called his best friend. Hate and anger raged in the man’s eyes. The man’s teeth were clinched as tight as the death grip he held on the masked man pinned underneath him.
“I’ve wanted this for a long time,” he growled.
It was clear that the man intended to throw the Lone Ranger over the ledge into the rock-strewn canyon below, but not before choking the life out of him first. It wouldn’t be long before that happened. Darkness was creeping in around the Ranger’s peripheral vision, darkness as black as the mask around his eyes. All the Lone Ranger could think about was getting air back into his burning lungs. He made pitiful attempts to squirm and tug at the arms of the madman, but to no avail. The loss of blood and the lack of air coupled with extreme exhaustion had the Lone Ranger almost wishing the end would come – almost.
The Lone Ranger was not the kind of man to just quit. He hadn’t come this far and fought this long and hard to let it all end. Not here. Not now. The man on top of him may have been a trusted friend but he was also his most feared and deadly enemy. He was the man who had killed his friends; killed his brother – and left the Ranger to die. This man was the personification of everything the Lone Ranger had dedicated his life to defeating. If there had been any good in the man, it had vanished long ago. All that remained was hate-filled evil.
Thrashing now in what he felt for sure were his death throes, the Ranger grabbed a handful of sand and gravel and flung it with the last escaping ounce of his strength into the man’s face. It worked. The man howled with rage, and broke his death grip to wipe the grit from his bloodshot eyes. That was all the Lone Ranger needed to suck in a gulp of life-saving air and to reposition his upper torso enough to allow him an angle to throw a punch. His fist connected with the man’s nose and mouth. Before the man could react, the Lone Ranger followed with a second blow to the chin, stunning his assailant. The move was enough to allow the Lone Ranger enough time and space to roll the man off of him and break free. He rolled to his side and rose to a kneeling position, heaving and gasping for air.
The man stood fast, spitting blood and dirt.
“Butch,” the Ranger croaked. “Butch, it doesn’t have to be like this.”
A malevolent look crossed Butch’s face.
“Oh yes it does. You’re gonna die a slow, painful death, just like you left me to do when you put me in jail to rot. I’m free now, and you’re surely gonna pay!”
The two men contemplated each other from the top of the canyon. How had they reached this point? How had two friends as inseparable as brothers become such bitter rivals? Why was one of them about to die at the hand of the other?
Stay tuned next week for the flashback to a friendship gone bad.
(Copyright Joe Southern, 2010)
4.15.2010
6.30.2008
Taking a break
Due to time contraints, I will not be posting to this blog for a while. I encourage you to visit my other blog at www.joesouthern.blogspot.com to keep up with my writings, including items related to the Lone Ranger. Thank you.
2.02.2008
12.26.2007
Bruckheimer/Disney to make Lone Ranger movie!
I said I wouldn't believe it untill I heard it from the horse's mouth. Well, this appears to be it. This news comes from MTV News:
"Hi-Ho Silver, away!"
A modern movie hero who doesn't curse, doesn't use slang, who doesn't drink or smoke or visit saloons, who believes in God and country and a strict moral code, who only uses guns when he has to, and even then never shoots to kill? The American West is about to get a dose of reserved cowboy justice, as super producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed to MTV News that he’s developing a "Lone Ranger" series of films.
"It's being written, well it's not being written now, but it's about to be written," he said of the rumored project. "We were just working out the story before the strike and hopefully that will end soon and we can continue on."
We, in this case, means "Pirates of the Caribbean" writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. But don't think that means the titular hero will be anything like Captain Jack, cautions Bruckheimer, who revealed that the story wouldn't be an update, but instead something of an origin story. That means adhering to the strict moral code laid down by "Lone Ranger" creator Fran Striker.
"I wouldn't say it's an updating of the tale, I would say it's kind of getting back to the roots of the tale," Bruckheimer confessed. "Where it originated from — it's about Texas Rangers, so we’re going to take it to how the characters are created."
It would be a somewhat fitting next step for Bruckheimer and crew, considering that
fifteen years ago the two genres that were universally acknowledged to be dead were
pirate movies and westerns. When you've conquered one, why not go for the other?
On the future of that first lucrative franchise, meanwhile, Bruckheimer said the ime
isn't yet right to discuss "Pirates 4."
"Not yet, not yet," he said, smiling. "We're still counting the money from the last one!"
"Hi-Ho Silver, away!"
A modern movie hero who doesn't curse, doesn't use slang, who doesn't drink or smoke or visit saloons, who believes in God and country and a strict moral code, who only uses guns when he has to, and even then never shoots to kill? The American West is about to get a dose of reserved cowboy justice, as super producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed to MTV News that he’s developing a "Lone Ranger" series of films.
"It's being written, well it's not being written now, but it's about to be written," he said of the rumored project. "We were just working out the story before the strike and hopefully that will end soon and we can continue on."
We, in this case, means "Pirates of the Caribbean" writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. But don't think that means the titular hero will be anything like Captain Jack, cautions Bruckheimer, who revealed that the story wouldn't be an update, but instead something of an origin story. That means adhering to the strict moral code laid down by "Lone Ranger" creator Fran Striker.
"I wouldn't say it's an updating of the tale, I would say it's kind of getting back to the roots of the tale," Bruckheimer confessed. "Where it originated from — it's about Texas Rangers, so we’re going to take it to how the characters are created."
It would be a somewhat fitting next step for Bruckheimer and crew, considering that
fifteen years ago the two genres that were universally acknowledged to be dead were
pirate movies and westerns. When you've conquered one, why not go for the other?
On the future of that first lucrative franchise, meanwhile, Bruckheimer said the ime
isn't yet right to discuss "Pirates 4."
"Not yet, not yet," he said, smiling. "We're still counting the money from the last one!"
9.08.2007
Preston movie killed
Those who were hoping to see "Preston, N.W.M.P." are out of luck. Classic Media asserted its rights to the character and basically shut the production down. This leaves us with nothing related to the Lone Ranger to look forward to during the 75th anniversary year.
Join us in Memphis
The Lone Ranger 75th Anniversary Celebration will be held June 5-7, 2008, at the Memphis Film Festival. The event will take place at the Whispering Woods Hotel in Olive Branch, Miss. For more information, visit www.lonerangerfanclub.com or www.memphisfilmfest.com.
5.26.2007
Convention update
The good news is we are still planning to have a Lone Ranger convention next year. The bad news is the date and location are changing. Keep checking www.lonerangerfanclub.com for the latest updates.
New Lone Ranger movie news
The Internet is buzzing with news about producer Jerry Bruckheimer being interested in making a new Lone Ranger movie. As of now it is just a rumor. Don't get your hopes up until you hear it from official sources.
4.08.2007
New movie nixed
Sony Pictures has officially dumped the Lone Ranger movie project.
However, a new movie called "Preston, N.W. M.P." will feature a Lone Ranger-like character. Stay tuned for more information.
However, a new movie called "Preston, N.W. M.P." will feature a Lone Ranger-like character. Stay tuned for more information.
2.02.2007
Convention update
Ta-i Kemo Sabe,
Yes, it has been a while since I've posted here. Things have been keeping me busy. One of those things is planning for the Lone Ranger 75th Anniversary Celebration. By March we should be announcing a lot of information. Keep looking for details here and at www.lonerangerfanclub.com.
So far we have Fred Foy and Nathaniel Arcand tentatively scheduled. More stars will be announced as they sign on.
Yes, it has been a while since I've posted here. Things have been keeping me busy. One of those things is planning for the Lone Ranger 75th Anniversary Celebration. By March we should be announcing a lot of information. Keep looking for details here and at www.lonerangerfanclub.com.
So far we have Fred Foy and Nathaniel Arcand tentatively scheduled. More stars will be announced as they sign on.
11.01.2006
Make plans now
Come and join us for the Lone Ranger Rendezvous June 6-8, 2008, in Amarillo, Texas, as we celebrate 75 years of the Lone Ranger and Tonto. You can pre-register at www.lonerangerfanclub.com.
10.20.2006
Lone Ranger comic #2
Caution: Spoiler alert!!!
I find issue #2 to be darkly disturbing in many ways. I don't like the direction Dynamite Entertainment is going. I think they've forgotten this is the Lone Ranger, not Army of Darkness.
Page 1 begins with a scary looking Tonto holding a bloody knife. On the next page we see a bullet-riddled John Reid pull his gun and fire at Tonto, but he's out of ammunition. On pages 6 and 7, we see a man's skin turned into bloody drapes and the excessively graphic depiction of Black Bart shoving his gun into Collins' mouth and pulling the trigger. Two pages later we learn that Tonto killed those who ambushed the Rangers and scalped them. We also see huge scars on Tonto's bare back.
On Page 11, we don't see the man responsible for killing the Rangers (presumably Cavendish), but we see a conversation he has with a man named Winthrop. The unseen man is last quoted as saying to another unseen person, "now let me see your tongue..."
The best part of the book comes on pages 13-17 when Reid asks Tonto to take him to the graves of the Rangers. I like the exchange where Tonto tells Reid that he was able to visit the graves, but not ready. Here we see Reid ask Tonto do dig an empty grave. The disturbing part is when he tells Tonto "there's no need for the cross." I really don't understand why he would say that.
A few pages later we see Black Bart viewing the scene of the massacre through binoculars (did they have those back then?). That's where we're exposed to the most unnecessary image in the book. We see vultures gorging on the scalped remains of the outlaws.
I'm also not too keen on Reid's bent for revenge. I sincerely hope this leads to a lesson on justice and not revenge. The Lone Ranger never kills. I hope the creative team doing the comic will respect this and instill that value in Tonto.
I'm still looking forward to issue #3, but more in hopes of seeing improvement in the story and less for relief from the cliffhangers.
I find issue #2 to be darkly disturbing in many ways. I don't like the direction Dynamite Entertainment is going. I think they've forgotten this is the Lone Ranger, not Army of Darkness.
Page 1 begins with a scary looking Tonto holding a bloody knife. On the next page we see a bullet-riddled John Reid pull his gun and fire at Tonto, but he's out of ammunition. On pages 6 and 7, we see a man's skin turned into bloody drapes and the excessively graphic depiction of Black Bart shoving his gun into Collins' mouth and pulling the trigger. Two pages later we learn that Tonto killed those who ambushed the Rangers and scalped them. We also see huge scars on Tonto's bare back.
On Page 11, we don't see the man responsible for killing the Rangers (presumably Cavendish), but we see a conversation he has with a man named Winthrop. The unseen man is last quoted as saying to another unseen person, "now let me see your tongue..."
The best part of the book comes on pages 13-17 when Reid asks Tonto to take him to the graves of the Rangers. I like the exchange where Tonto tells Reid that he was able to visit the graves, but not ready. Here we see Reid ask Tonto do dig an empty grave. The disturbing part is when he tells Tonto "there's no need for the cross." I really don't understand why he would say that.
A few pages later we see Black Bart viewing the scene of the massacre through binoculars (did they have those back then?). That's where we're exposed to the most unnecessary image in the book. We see vultures gorging on the scalped remains of the outlaws.
I'm also not too keen on Reid's bent for revenge. I sincerely hope this leads to a lesson on justice and not revenge. The Lone Ranger never kills. I hope the creative team doing the comic will respect this and instill that value in Tonto.
I'm still looking forward to issue #3, but more in hopes of seeing improvement in the story and less for relief from the cliffhangers.
9.28.2006
Various things
Well, we've finally seen the new comic. I think it's going to be a winner. It's well written (with the exception of a few cuss words) and superbly drawn. There are some aspects I don't care for, but 90 percent of it is truly fantastic and groundbreaking. I eagerly await the next installment.
I was informed by the people in charge of the new movie that Jonathan Mostow is no longer involved. He was originally supposed to direct. No word on a replacement yet.
As far as the 2008 Lone Ranger Rendezvous goes, we have lined up Fred Foy and Nathaniel Arcand as guests so far. Stay tuned!
I was informed by the people in charge of the new movie that Jonathan Mostow is no longer involved. He was originally supposed to direct. No word on a replacement yet.
As far as the 2008 Lone Ranger Rendezvous goes, we have lined up Fred Foy and Nathaniel Arcand as guests so far. Stay tuned!
8.29.2006
Lone Ranger comic looks interesting
I can't wait to see the new Lone Ranger comic by Dynamite Entertainment. So far, all we've seen are the first three covers and sample pages of the first two issues. There are things I like and some I don't. I like that they seem to be keeping true to the origin story. I like that the Ranger has a fairly classic look. I don't like how much older and meaner Tonto looks. I don't like the "uneasy alliance" they have. I'm also leery of the lack of mention of Butch Cavendish and the mentions of Black Bart. I hope I'm misreading between the lines on that one.
Still, this is the newest and freshest Lone Ranger product and so far has been getting rave reviews. After the WB's television show, this is a marked improvement. Here's hoping for the best.
Still, this is the newest and freshest Lone Ranger product and so far has been getting rave reviews. After the WB's television show, this is a marked improvement. Here's hoping for the best.
7.12.2006
New comic coming
Dynamite Entertainment has announced that its new Lone Ranger comic is coming in September! Issue No. 1 begins with the origin story and tells how John Reid becomes the masked man. Priced at $2.99 (man, it's been a long time since I've purchased a comic book!), the issue is to be the first in an ongoing series. The folks at Dynamite Entertainment have this to say about it: "Dynamite Entertainment, Brett Matthews, John Cassaday and Sergio Cariello with Dean White present the comic book event of 2006 - the LONE RANGER - rides again!!!!
Written by Brett ("Firefly") Matthews and art directed by John ("Astonishing X-Men") Cassaday - who also provide each "dynamite" cover (that's right fans - Mr. Astonishing X-Men and Planetary is the single cover artist, THE LONE RANGER #1 also features veteran illustrator Sergio Cariello and colorist Dean ("Punisher") White.
THE LONE RANGER #1 is an unrelenting tale of the West. A young man searches for revenge, only to find justice... and that he's something greater than he ever thought he could be. THE LONE RANGER #1 will be THE must-read comic of 2006."
Look for it at your favorite comic book outlet or order it online at www.dynamiteentertainment.com.
Written by Brett ("Firefly") Matthews and art directed by John ("Astonishing X-Men") Cassaday - who also provide each "dynamite" cover (that's right fans - Mr. Astonishing X-Men and Planetary is the single cover artist, THE LONE RANGER #1 also features veteran illustrator Sergio Cariello and colorist Dean ("Punisher") White.
THE LONE RANGER #1 is an unrelenting tale of the West. A young man searches for revenge, only to find justice... and that he's something greater than he ever thought he could be. THE LONE RANGER #1 will be THE must-read comic of 2006."
Look for it at your favorite comic book outlet or order it online at www.dynamiteentertainment.com.
6.07.2006
Lone Ranger convention being planned
Start making plans to attend the Lone Ranger Rendezvous in 2008 in honor of the 75th anniversary of the character. It has tentatively been set for June 6-8 in Amarillo, Texas. For more information, or to pre-pre-register, visit www.lonerangerfanclub.com/lonerangerconvention.
4.24.2006
Web site updated
Ta-i Kemo Sabe,
It took a while, but the Web site has been updated. It now has a more consistent look and is easier to navigate. Please visit www.lonerangerfanclub.com and check it out. I hope to add some new pages soon.
It took a while, but the Web site has been updated. It now has a more consistent look and is easier to navigate. Please visit www.lonerangerfanclub.com and check it out. I hope to add some new pages soon.
4.11.2006
Lone Ranger Fan Club update
Just a quick note to let you know that the Lone Ranger Fan Club Web site is undergoing a major renovation and will not be updated for a while. Please keep checking back to see the improved design.
3.28.2006
Clayton Moore on a postage stamp
Hi-Yo Lone Ranger fans,
Dawn Moore, daughter of Clayton Moore, is seeking your help getting her father's image on a postage stamp. Now is the time to petition the U.S. Postal Service to get it done on the 10th anniversary of his passing. It also times with the 60th anniversary of the TV show and a year after the character's 75th anniversary. For complete details, visit http://www.members.tripod.com/~ClaytonMoore/cmstamp.html.
Dawn Moore, daughter of Clayton Moore, is seeking your help getting her father's image on a postage stamp. Now is the time to petition the U.S. Postal Service to get it done on the 10th anniversary of his passing. It also times with the 60th anniversary of the TV show and a year after the character's 75th anniversary. For complete details, visit http://www.members.tripod.com/~ClaytonMoore/cmstamp.html.
2.14.2006
Silver Bullet
You're not going to want to miss the March issue of The Silver Bullet. It will have stories about new fan films, a man who makes Lone Ranger masks, another man who sells Lone Ranger outfits, an update on the new movie, lots of new Lone Ranger collectibles, and the possibility of John Hart reprising his role as the Masked Man! Visit www.lonerangerfanclub.com to find out how to subscribe.
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