Lone shines as the strongest of Dark Horse's three Rocket Comics sci-fi titles. The odd thing about it is that Lone isn't a science-fiction book; it's a Western with sci-fi elements. Stuart Moore clearly had plenty of fun blending the Western genre with the post-apocalyptic to arrive at an entertaining and even funny mix. Lone revels in genre stereotypes and boasts an incredible personality and sense of humor, and it boasts some stunning artwork. I've had a Lone preview lying around for a couple of months at least, and I'm pleased that others are finally going to get the chance to share in the morbid and violent comedy of the Wild, Irradiated West.
Zombies are all too common a problem in the West since the nuclear war, but one small town finds them particularly difficult and dangerous, as there's some sort of shielded alien creature giving them direction and purpose. A mother sends her daughter and son away to seek help from a legend, a man known only as Lone. Fighting off mutants and giant livestock, they manage to find a friend of Lone's, who guides them the rest of the way to the gunfighter's unusual home, right in the heart of a nuclear strikezone.
Jerome Opena's art strikes me an energetic cross between the styles of Sam (Zero Girl) Keith and Tan Eng (Doom Patrol) Huat. His angular approach brings an appropriate edge and intensity to these extreme characters and environments, but his linework isn't all that dark, save for his depiction of Lone. The artist captures the energy and spirit of Luke, the young woman on whom the story focuses initially, and there's no hint of sex appeal thrown in as a gratuitous measure to boost the book's sales.
Moore develops an interesting air of mystery around Lone. We can't help but be curious as to how he survives the uninhabitable Vegas landscape he calls home, and his connection to the menace in the kids' small hometown is intriguing as well. That's why the title character is cast in shadows and blackness, unlike the rest of the cast. What would an intese gunfighter be without a mysterious and dark past, right? Moore nails the Western hero archetype perfectly, while making the most of the post-apocalyptic backdrop. Lone's emphasis on the vaue of the printed word is a particularly nice touch, bringing intellect to the gritty protagonist.
I have to admit, though, that my favorite element in the book is Luke, the spunky young woman who never misses a shot. There's a vibrant quality in the character that makes one like her instantly. She's tough, but Moore makes sure to include a child-like tone in her dialogue at times. I hope Luke proves to be a fixture in this series.
