Writer / Art Director: Matt Wagner
Artist: Francesco Francavilla
Dynamite Comics
Review by: Ben Crofts

I’d come across Matt Wagner’s name for a few years but never checked out his work until recently when I got utterly hooked on his Batman: Dark Moon Rising stories , given how good that was I knew I’d be very interested in his take on Zorro.

Wagner’s story does not disappoint, being both detailed and ambitious. The marketing for this comic, in part, would have us believe these opening issues are an origin tale, but it’s a good deal more than that. The story flits between the present and the past, with a recounting of the story of Diego De La Vega, the man who would become Zorro, by his long-time friend and companion and a soldier reporting of an attack to his comrades.

In the course of play and exploration Diego and his friend see a girl being whipped by soldiers to act as an incentive for her father to pay taxes. He protests it but can do nothing and despite his father telling him later that Spain only truly rules the colonies through superior values rather than military force, although he respects him too much to say so Diego knows his father’s view to be hollow. The reality is rule by force and it is manifestly unjust.

Zorro is a character who is a predecessor to later characters such as The Shadow and more famously, Batman. It is notable that Wagner makes reference to both in a way, for both characters have a lair, they use fear and attach themselves to a particular totem or aspect. Zorro is Spanish for ‘fox’ – it is in the later part of the issue Wagner turns his attention to this and gives a reason for why Diego opts for the name. His version has Diego undertake a spirit quest at the behest of his mother, who is Indian. In the course of that he is poisoned by a rattlesnake and only just makes it back, as he recovers he considers the quest a failure for he saw nothing, save a fox. The village elder tells him the fox will be his totem.

The present tale deals with another aspect of the character, that of instilling fear in his adversaries. Soldier Jose Perez was sent, with five others, to intimidate a farmer by burning the burn and killing the livestock, but they were attacked by a ferocious adversary. One who laughed as he engaged and killed them, after giving them a chance to flee. Only Perez gave up, acknowledging that he was outclassed so he was left to live: Both with the shame and the mark – a Z slashed into his left palm!

Artist Francesco Francavilla delivers outstanding visuals, which are adeptly coloured by Adriano Lucas. Between the two of them and Wagner giving a lead the comic has a very high standard of art. This is just as well for the story requires much to be depicted: The friendship between the two boys, Diego’s revulsion at the Spaniard’s harsh enforcement, the mysticism of the spirit quest, the atmosphere of the bar where the soldiers are and the attack by Zorro.

All in all, this is an excellent opening issue and the story can only get better now the foundation blocks are in place. Wagner’s take on the character is spot on and the art team is producing impressive imagery. Dynamite have been building up an impressive reputation on their licensed properties, Zorro looks to be a great addition to this.