The Cisco Kid: Gunfire & Brimstone

(Moonstone, 2005)
™ and © 2005 Moonstone

What happened to The Cisco Kid—the real one, from O. Henry’s classic story? After his flight from Lt. Sandridge, where did he go?

Writer Len Kody tries to answer that in Gunfire and Brimstone. This Cisco is a real desert–bandit type: cruel, heartless, and a killer by nature. Pursued by two Texas Rangers, he flees into the desert, killing one from a distance. Later, he pistol–whips The Masked Ranger. A crow leads him to Perez, a half–crazed mystic who starts Cisco on his costly trail to redemption.

There are a few things to like about this story. First, it does not give readers the comic Cisco. Second, Kody somehow brings The Masked Ranger into the tale. Is this The Lone Ranger? Third, the trail to redemption for a border bandit like Cisco will not be pretty but it will be thrilling. The charcoal–like art by Dennis Calero is too simplistic at times. However, in desert scenes—such as the one on page 3—it is perfect. O. Henry would be pleased.

— Tim Lasiuta

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Notes

Writer

Artist

#1

Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $1.28

Len Cody

Dennis Calero

#2

Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $1.49

Len Cody

Dennis Calero

#3

July, 1957
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $1.70

Len Cody

Dennis Calero