'Lone Ranger/Green Hornet: Champions of Justice' written by Michael Uslan with art by Giovanni Timpano is a team up between two heroes from different eras. I found it kind of plodding.

It turns out that Lone Ranger, John Reid, and Green Hornet, Britt Reid, are related. This seems obvious when you realize they have the same last name, but it's not a conclusion I'd come to before now.

Older relative John is interested in the legend of the Lone Ranger living on, but Britt wants to fight crime his own way. They are investigating a series of brutal murders that may be linked to famous scientists being targeted by Nazis. This leads to these two initially getting in each other's way, then accepting each other's methods, then even swapping those with Britt on horse and John driving a car.

When I was younger, both these characters were around in reruns. I always felt they were worth watching until what I really wanted to watch was on. I guess I still feel that way. I liked all the bits of history worked in to the story, and if you miss them, they are called out in an afterword. The art works well enough. I just felt my mind drifting as I read this, and that's never a good sign.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dynamite Entertainment, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Forgot to read this one before it expired on my download but I am sure it was a cool one!!

Though never a huge fan of "The Lone Ranger" on TV, growing up, I was ga-ga over "The Green Hornet" series with Van Williams and Bruce Lee - and the idea of a mash-up of these two such different and diverse "champions of justice" in a graphic novel was intriguing. Combining the first several issues of the comic book series, we learn here that the Lone Ranger is actually the great uncle of the Green Hornet! Known as "Uncle Joe" to Britt Reid, the storyline here - set mostly in late-1930's America on the eve of WWII, but with so many flashbacks and flash-forwards things become a bit jumbled (even annoying) - really kicks off when Elliot Ness (yes, that Elliot Ness) comes to Chicago to ask for the help of the Ranger, Reid and the Daily Sentinel to dismantle Hitler sympathizers and their plot to build the atom bomb already in place in the U.S., even as Uncle Joe pushes Britt to pick up the mantle of justice by becoming a modern-day Lone Ranger. The book is packed with historical events of the various time periods covered, some of it fairly fascinating (I had no idea about the Jesse Owens/Olympics/Hitler story) and perfectly furthering the plot, though I admit the book also feels almost overstuffed with a bevy of cameo appearances by what feels like more historical figures (on both sides of the law) than your average middle school social studies class covers in a year. I also found Giovanni Timpano's artwork, while extremely good overall, sometimes distracting - when some faces in a crowded scene, for example, were indiscernible from each other. The negatives of this book are actually minor, however, when compared to its forward-moving storyline that - though a bit slow-going early on - more than makes up for things with a rousing finale. And in these days, when the U.S. has put an orange devil into power who seems to think of himself more as fuhrer than world leader, this Lone Ranger/Green Hornet crossover is at heart a rousing example of how hate, bigotry, and evil against humanity itself can be squashed in the name of truth, justice and the truly American way. 3.5/5 stars

Note: I received a free ARC of this title via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Fascinating reading how the Green Hornet is related to the zone Ranger but sad reading of the death of two icons. Loved the history laced into the story.

This was an interesting crossover story. I found it interesting as well as hilarious in enough parts that it was not stale or dragged down, there was just the right amount of action as well.

Loved this book! Turns out, at least in this version of the story, that The Lone Ranger is actually the great uncle of The Green Hornet... I know - very cool! At a time when the world seems to be going mad and on the verge of a second World War (late '30s) The Lone Ranger, long since retired, encourages his grand nephew to step up and fight the good fight.

The storyline jumps back and forth between The Lone Ranger's era (the late 1800's) and The Green Hornet's time (mid to late 1930's), often with stops at various times in between. A variety of famous people make appearances including Teddy Roosevelt, Wild Bill Cody, Olympic great Jesse Owen, Bat Masterson, FDR, Eliott Ness and more. The main storyline has to do with Ness asking John Reid (The Lone Ranger) and his grand nephew to help solve/stop the infamous torso murders which have ties to a radical nazi group.

As a kid in the 1970's I collected comic books (to me the same as graphic novels - no disrespect intended, I'm just too damn old to change), and watched reruns of The Lone Ranger and other cowboy shows. This book so authentically captures the spirit of those great shows. It has a kind of retro or throwback quality (some might call it a little old-fashioned... okay, possibly even alot old-fashioned) of a time and place when kids really were brought up to believe that America was that shining example of truth, honor, justice and all that other corny stuff that most of us have long since given up on to a great extent. This book is just plain fun!

Now, having said that let me also state that in my opinion fans of the modern, more gritty, true-to-life graphic novels will most likely be disappointed here. This is most definitely a throwback to the more kid friendly comics of yesteryear. There's some violence (not too realistic though), a little blood shed and some stuff that's probably not suitable for very young children but my guess would be thirteen or so and up would be totally fine.

Great artwork, story is a little on the weak side but still good. I would recomend this book to anyone who appreciates the classic comics or the old-time heroes.

***I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

I was really excited when I started this. Making the Lone Ranger Brit Reid's great uncle is a fantastic idea. However, there's very little plot here. The whole purpose of this book seems to be showing how the Lone Ranger is linked to every historical character of the early 20th century. A plot is introduced, with Eliot Ness showing up and asking for help with the torso murders being linked to Nazis. But it's largely forgotten, so we can instead focus on things like Teddy Roosevelt meeting with every historical character from the Old West for a beer at McSorley's. It almost reads as fan fiction.

This item repeatedly fail to download to my Kindle and was thus never received

Yet another piss-poor mash-up of past-it characters having out-dated reunions, even if this time it's so heavily loaded with modern allegory it's painful. This comes, believe it or not, from people who think it makes sense to portray Barack Obama (sorry, Jesse Owens) as the Lone Ranger.

John Reid (AKA The Lone Ranger) has been spending his latter years telling stories to the neighborhood boys at the Chicago Police stables. Then Elliot Ness comes calling, asking for help in solving the Torso Murder case that had spread from Cleveland to Chicago. John Reid and his great nephew, Britt Reid, who owns the Daily Sentinel newspaper, join in the crusade. But there is a dispute over how to oppose the Nazi Bund and the Cavendish Gang. John want Britt to done the Lone Ranger's mask while Britt prefers a green mask - the Green Hornet. Despite these divergent views, the group does manage to stop the murders at a cost. A nice exploration of the blood relations between two heroes with plenty of flashbacks that clarify the family relationship. A nice adventure for both heroes!

First off, I didn't realise that The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet were related. Turns out they are.
When I picked up this title I was imagining some sort of time travel storyline. I didn't expect the Lone Ranger to be an old man. However there was enough flashbacks to get a sense of him in his prime.
I enjoyed the artwork and the action sequences. The storyline while simplistic seemed to reflect a lot of what is happening in politics today. In fact TLR makes a comment about 'jews, people of colour and homosexuals being persecuted', and while I agree with the sentiment it it's unlikely to be something that would have been said in 1936/7, what with homosexuality being against the law. Apart from this slip the history seemed to be pretty much on the money.
Where the story fell down for me is that it seems to get booked down under its own backstory and on occasion took itself too seriously.
Overall an interesting title.

Apart from watching the former's film and reading the latter's Wikipedia entry, I didn't know much about either the Lone Ranger or Green Hornet before reading this crossover. Perhaps that's why I didn't really enjoy it.

It's possible, of course, to write a piece of fan service that also entertains new readers, but "Lone Ranger/Green Hornet" seemed weighed down by its own sense of significance.

Po-faced when it needed to be fun, on-the-nose when it needed to be joshing, awkward when it needed to be humorous. "Why not call it your 'Batmobile'?" "Because that sounds ridiculous!" Be still my aching sides.

As I say, it's quite possible I don't have the investment you need to get your return from this one. I'm vaguely aware copyright entanglements have kept these two relatives apart for a good many years, and long-term fans may share the comic's sense of moment.

All I can say is that it's not much fun for a newbie. Hey-ho Silver, anyway...

My apologies - I missed the window with this book, and did not have a chance to read it before the epub expired. Thank you for the opportunity.

the adventures years later of the Lone Ranger - a new generation - normally I'd have loved this. the art work is fine and allusive, the action well drawn - overall a great package - what stymied me is the confusion of time frames and characters - i guess to come extent we all know Tonto and the Lone Ranger, so we don't need to be told but when the new generation Lone Ranger pops up as son of Dan, and then we flashback and I begin to lose who it is I'm watching. we are introduced to the new man vaguely wanting to fight it all - no one focus - gangsters in chicago although someone's from cleveland, and torsos cut in half - maybe it settled down later on but the flurry of people and crimes baffled me until about half way through. the Lone Ranger has many followers and perhaps others will be more satisfied. I needed/wanted something more accessible in a way.

Reading comic books can sometimes be really fun, and other times be very tedious. First let me say this one was very well researched, so that part was fun. But comics that have fighting, and "action" bore me to no end, despite how many Nazis get punched.

So, three starts for the well done historical fiction, but the rest of the story dragged on, as people got shot and punched, and died.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

http://amazingstoriesmag.com/2017/04/review-lone-ranger-green-hornet-comics-collection/

In the beginning of this graphic novel you are introduced to the Lone Ranger. In 1936, school lets out and several boys run to the police stables where they greet Uncle John Reid. He places one boy on top of a horse with the other kids yelling me next. Then the kids beg Uncle John to tell them stories about "the Masked Man.". James Reid comes to Uncle John asking him if has see his son Britt. Uncle John says no but don't worry, he will stop lollygagging. Later Britt is found in a position he doesn't like but his friend Kato helps. Britt will find out that he is to be the "Lone Ranger," as it is part of his inheritance. Britt says no. What will Uncle John do? Will Britt change his mind?

There is a large story in this graphic novel that is also well illustrated by the illustrator. The illustrations are perfect for this story. It is hard to stop reading as you want to know more. I would have to stop reading it but I didn't stop thinking about it. I look forward to reading the next story.

The Lone Ranger is old, living in Chicago with his memories. It's the late 1930s and the Bund, America's Nazis pose a serious threat. The young son of his good friend appears in need of the Lone Rangers guidance but he is in fact the Green Hornet, the spiritual, or perhaps you could say the fight for justice descendant. The two work together to fight the Bund. Pretty decent artwork.

Michael Uslan. Lone Ranger / Green Hornet: Champions of Justice. Runnemede, NJ: Dynamite Entertainment, April 25th 2017. 148 pp.
A few months ago I read for the first time two comic books on the character “Green Hornet” that left me hooked so when I saw this story of Green Hornet and the Lone Ranger I felt compelled to read it right away. I did not regret it. Actually that is an understatement. I enjoyed this work immensely.
The story is situated largely in Cleveland, Ohio during the late 1930s. In this story the author reveals that the Green Hornet and the Lone Ranger are related: the Lone Ranger is the brother of the Green Hornet’s grandfather! Known also as “Uncle Joe,” this story tells the role the Lone Ranger played on the Green Hornet. It is a beautiful story of legacy, inter-generational challenges and also duty to what is right. We see that every generation has its villains which means every generation needs its heroes to stand up against evil. I love that dimension in this volume. I also enjoyed how the author pointed out how much both the Green Hornet and his sidekick Kato parallel with the Lone Ranger and his loyal friend Tonto. Both Kato and Tonto were minorities, with Kato being Japanese and Tonto being native Americans. Both were skilled warriors in their ethnicity’s martial arts. I also loved how both Kato and Tonto interacted with each other and also the author’s exploration and redemption of both characters as more than just “side-kicks” to the leading heroes. We see a theme of equality in this book and also the exploration of the problem of racism in a way that is believable and not over the top cliché or pushy with an agenda.
What I love the most about this book is the many references to actual history throughout the entire work. You see historical figures in this story. I won’t reveal all their names but they are famous individuals that readers will recognize such as President Teddy Roosevelt and a young Franklin Roosevelt. Even with characters that some readers might miss I thought it was neat to see the end of the book have notes on the refernces throughout the book of real historical figures in the story, real events and organizations. I wished there would be more graphic novels like this one and also more graphic novels of the same genre that had historical notes for the readers since after all history sometimes can be stranger than fiction!
I don’t want to give the impression that this is a history book (after all, the Lone Ranger and Green Hornet are just characters!) but at the same time I think it is neat story-telling to weave in a story that situates in the times and history of what did happen. I love the illustrations too with the colors and clothing that beautifully gives readers the feel of the 1930s pre-World War Two tension in the United States and also the noir gangster era. I recommend this book.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Diamond Book Distributors and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Sadly, this comic didn't grab me although I have to praise the uncanny pairing of The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet. Both worked well together, however the story line, the Bund, Murder Inc, Black Bart Jr, Nazis...it was too much in one go.