Ringo Kid

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Ringo Kid is a fictional Western hero in the Marvel Comics' universe, whose comic book series was originally released by the company's 1950s iteration, Atlas Comics. A lesser-known character than the company's Kid Colt, Rawhide Kid or Two-Gun Kid, he also appeared in a reprint series in the 1970s.

The Kid, dressed all in black, is an Old West gunslinger with a Caucasian father and a Comanche mother. She is referred to as "a Comanche princess," but as the Comanche did not have royalty this is a figurative term, like "Xena: Warrior Princess". With his Comanche sidekick Dull Knife, he roamed the frontier atop his horse, Arab. His specific mission or goal appears not to have been stated explicitly, but there is intimation of some law-enforcement function: As many covers note breathlessly, "Ringo!" is "The name that makes killers tremble!"

The Ringo Kid debuted in the anthology Wild Western #26 (Feb. 1953). His series Ringo Kid (first three issues titled Ringo Kid Western) ran 21 issues (Aug. 1954 - Sept. 1957), with his adventures drawn primarily by Joe Maneely and Fred Kida Stories ran occasionally as well in Wild Western — with John Severin taking the reins in at least issues #46-47 (Nov. 1955 - Jan. 1956) — and Ringo was the lead feature in the two-issue anthology series Western Trails (May & July 1957).

Marvel reprinted the series in Ringo Kid Vol. 2, #1-30 (Jan. 1970 - Nov. 1976), often with the original Maneely covers.

Marvel writer Steve Englehart planned a revival series at about this time, with art by Dick Ayers: "Every series I did took off so Marvel kept giving me more. I relaunched this classic Western — always my favorite of Marvel's true cowboy heroes (as opposed to the Two-Gun Kid, whom I also liked but who was more a superhero) — with classic Western artist Dick Ayres [sic]. But after this first issue was drawn and scripted, Marvel decided to do more superheroes and fewer cowboys, so it was set aside before inking." [1]

The character is unrelated to the actor John Wayne's "Ringo Kid" in the classic Western film Stagecoach.

[edit] References

• Guide To Marvel's Pre-FF 1 Heroes: Ringo Kid¹
• International Heroes: Ringo Kid²
• Atlas Tales
• The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators

[edit] Footnotes

Note 1: Site erroneously lists Ringo Kid's first appearance as "Wild Western #39 (Feb. 1953)". However, that issue is actually cover-dated Dec. 1954. The correct issue numjber for that date is #26. (Cover image of #26: [2]. Cover image of #39: [3].) Site also erroneously lists an appearance in Wyatt Earp #22.

Note 2: As above.