BLAZE OF GLORY
John Ostrander slings his guns again, for an epic tale of Western legends.

Writer: John Ostrander
Artist: Leonardo Manco
Colorist: Mariana Manco
Letterer: Bullpen
Four issue miniseries
Published by Marvel Comics 2000
$2.99 each

Reviewed by Mario Di Giacomo

"There was the West of Fact. There was the West of Legend. This story falls somewhere in between."

Thus opens BLAZE OF GLORY, John Ostrander's paean to the Western heroes of the past. After his epic take on DC's heroes in THE KENTS, one might expect that his Marvel version would also be a sweeping tale, full of grand vistas and sweeping storylines.

It isn't. It's better.

"This story is more about what makes a man a hero, and what makes him a legend."

The plot is fairly straightforward, right out of THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. A small town is beset by marauders and hires gunmen to protect them. There's a big fight, the good guys win, and the heroes ride off into the sunset. And if that was all, I'd hardly recommend it.

But there's more to this story. As the opening line states, it's more about what makes a man a hero, and what makes him a legend. The small town in question (Wonderment, Montana) was founded by people who didn't want to be either. Freed slaves, poor whites and Indians who simply wanted to live their quiet lives, not bothering or being bothered by anyone.

One of these men was Reno Jones, who, along with Kid Cassidy, was once part of the duo known as the Gunhawks. But what the common folk (including Reno's own son) know about their adventures are dime-novel tales made of more fable than fact. For Reno, his family is more important.

Until the Nightriders come, spreading fear and chaos. Beset by confusion, the townsfolk turn to the advice of a newcomer, Marcel Fournier (a fairly recent creation of Marvel's, but a western hero nevertheless), who leads them to the decision to hire gunmen.

And what gunmen they are. The Rawhide Kid, sharpshooter (and occasional time-traveler), now working for Buffalo Bill; Kid Colt, who's deadly guns burn only slightly cooler than his temper; The Two-Gun Kid, who has hidden his legend behind the unassuming face of a lawyer; and Lance Temple, who has denied his own heroic persona, The Outlaw Kid, for so long, he believes it to be another person.

Others join the hunt, like Caleb Hammer, minister and Pinkerton agent, and Gunhawk, the bounty hunter (unrelated to Reno and his partner). Both men hunt Kid Colt, but will put aside their differences to aid Wonderment. Lurking in the shadows is Red Wolf, who champions the red man, though his own skin is white.

"Ostrander has the last word: 'Men die. Only the legends are forever.'"

Excellent characterisation and action both carry the story, with touches of humour for balance. Kid Colt is allowed a quiet moment to add depth to his normally temper-filled character. When a young boy runs into a tavern and shouts, "Hey, Kid!" -- four people all turn to answer him. There's a twist in the villain, more than one temporary switching of allegiances, and a huge climactic battle, as the remaining heroes plan for one last ride... to go out in a blaze of glory.

While ostensibly about legends, though, this is really about the men behind them. Violent men, troubled men, to a certain extent even tragic men. But at their core, still just ordinary men.

The art, by Leonardo and Mariana Manco, helps to promote this idea, as the incredible detail and dark palette are in many ways the exact opposite of the straightforward art and bright colors of the Silver Age, where many of these characters have their origin.

Some scenes do have one primary color, but rather than seeming childish, these sepia tones remind one more of the daguerreotypes of a bygone age. Other scenes are more traditionally colored, but without exception, these scenes are about the dream than the reality. Children at play, crowds at a carnival. When the real world comes in, the shadows fall.

Who are the heroes of this tale? The gunmen, the ghosts? Or the ordinary man, with his loving family? Ostrander has the last word: "Men die. Every single one of us. That's a fact, and that's our fate. Only the legends are forever."

And the sun sets on three graves.

Recommended

Mario Di Giacomo is a regular contributor to PopImage.

Back

Attitude | ProFile | Industrial
Interviews | Reviews | Pi Comics
Talkback | Archives | Gallery