Zorro: Man of the Dead #4
Zorro #4 from Massive Publishing
By Sean Murphy
In a passionate Finale issue, Sean Gordon Murphy emblazons the spirit of Zorro in the hearts of readers new and old. And while I am personally saddened to see the series conclude with 4 issues- because I could have read this comic as a new ongoing series and I want to see follow up installments like “Zorro Beyond” set in 2099- I am happy that the story exists in the first place.
Zorro is an adventure series with exciting, inventive action sequences and beautiful, poster worthy splash pages that only Sean Murphy knows how to deliver. If you are a fan of properties like Indiana Jones, or Batman, or classic Western films- then please pick up Zorro: Man of the Dead when it hits shelves in July.
SPOILERS AHEAD
After the shocking cliffhanger in last issue where Zorro was shot after attempting to raid the base of the pseudo-dictator of La Vega, Rojo- we see Zorro’s compatriots, led by the ex-mercenary El Cementerio (who looks like the Punisher and now I want Sean Murphy to do a Punisher comic, I don’t know what it would be- but I can dream okay)
However, in rescuing Zorro- our hero’s are pushed back by a hail of gunfire and leave Rosa- Zorro’s sister to be captured by the sinister Rojo. This allows for Rojo to finally learn the truth about Zorro’s identity and the reason for Rosa’s betrayal of the cartel all at once- as he is told by this right hand man, Trejo, that Zorro is Rosa’s brother- Diego.Rosa also does a great job of belittling and striking fear into Rojo, by citing his recent failures and spells out his fate at the hands of the Cartel leadership should he fail once more to capture Zorro. Meanwhile, Diego awakens after being transported down the river to safely by the villagers and renounces the title of Zorro- resigning himself to be captured by Rojo as a sacrifice as punishment for his failure.
However, as Diego walks back towards La Vega in pity, his comrades devise a plan to ensure that Zorro remains a symbol of freedom and hope for all.As Rosa is tortured by Rojo’s gang for information she is saved by the most underrated character in the series- Bandido! Who is Zorro’s fateful fox companion from traditional folklore and yet never seems to make it into popular media. Bandido chews through Rosa’s bonds and escapes with a message to the resistance.As Rosa is paraded through the streets of La Vega by Rojo, he calls for Zorro to come out and give himself up, to submit to the rule of the cartel. Surprisingly, Diego does submit himself without protest, hoping to trade places with his sister. But before Diego can make his sacrifice- the entire town emerges from the streets and alleyways dressed as Zorro and with painted faces for the Day of the Dead.Whisked away by his Priest companion, Diego dawns the mask and wide brimmed hat of Zorro once more and marches down Rojo, disarming him, and cuts his fucking head off- and let me tell you- it is one of the most beautiful pages in comics I’ve seen this year. It probably shouldn’t be, but it is.
This comic utilized the legacy character of Zorro both faithfully and refreshingly, telling a timeless story that also felt relevant and modernized to some degree. I really loved the idea of Diego being obsessed with the idea of Zorro until he literally believed he was Zorro, and then having to come to terms with what that actually means. I also loved how essential the townspeople and the character of the city La Vega itself were to the story- it felt like we were exploring the mythology of a place rather than just one man which was a nice touch to a story that could have felt redundant. I really hope that this comic encourages more returns to Zorro as a character, he was such an iconic figure in my childhood and I feel like he has the potential to be a more prolific popular character in modern times.
-Nicholas Aaron Hodge
