Moonstone continues its efforts to offer a diverse array of genres in its output while steering clear of the one dominated by the bigger publishers: super-heroes. I actually have a couple of Golden Age Cosco Kid comics in my collection, but wisely, writer Jim Duffy brings a harsher edge to the property with this new incarnation. DeCaire's sketchy artwork suits the arid nature of the setting and the raw qualities of the characters nicely. What doesn't work, though, is the clunky nature of the plot. Developments here are all too convenient, and the opening scene, though dynamic and violently dramatic, just isn't believable at all.
In a remote Texan town in 1853, a trio of rowdy riders burst into a saloon, looking to have a good time. The problem is that a good time for them includes tormenting the locals, but unfortunately, they choose the wrong man to cross: the Cisco Kid. Though the lone gunslinger gives them cause to regret the encounter, the three men still make off with something of value to him. The Kid gives chase, quietly, and he discovers that the men work for someone in a rather nasty business. Furthermore, the Cisco Kid encounters an ally, someone with an even greater reason to hunt the men down.
DeCaire's art here reminds me a great deal of the style of Charlie (Codeflesh) Adlard. There's a loose, gritty quality to the linework that suits the Old West genre quite well. Later on in the book, the influence of John (Amazing Spider-Man) Romita Jr. really jumps out at you as well. One of the problems with the sketchier tone of the artwork, though, is that the reader never gets a really strong impression of what the title character looks like. Mind you, that reinforces the air of mystery that surrounds the Kid like an aura in this story.
In the tumultuous opening scene, the title character inflicts such damage to one of his foes that one is certainly struck by the Western warrior's intensity. The problem is that the wound doesn't seem to slow the guy down a bit, just angering him. That moment robs the story of a key element: credibility. Furthermore, we're never really told by the bad guys decide to pick on the Cisco Kid or why they opt to take an item of seemingly minimal value.
It strikes me as all too convenient that the Kid happens to find himself in a much more altruistic and parental role in this story. I rather enjoyed the earlier tone to the character, that he was basically just as bad as the hombres who hassled him. He settles into the role of hero far too easily by the end of the book. The plot takes on a rather cliched tone by the end of the issue as well.
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
