Updated: August 21, 2024

I was bitten by the nostalgia bug, and the Lone Ranger and Tonto were real heroes of mine as a kid. The Lone Ranger on his own was cool, a real hero, and with the mask, kind of mysterious and larger than life, but even more than that, I loved the show because he and Tonto were a team. If he'd been just on his own, I don't think I'd have preferred him over the rest of the TV cowboys. The partnership was a real factor.

Even then, I realized that Tonto wasn't a very realistic portrayal of a native American, but what he was someone who was courageous, smart, wise, knowledgeable and extremely loyal to his friend. When he offered an opinion, the masked man was wise to listen to him. I liked the fact that the two of them were from different backgrounds and dissimilar many ways but shared a lot in common and could really cooperate. There were lots of shows with comedy sidekicks Cisco had his Poncho, for instance, but these two were partners. Tonto was the friend you could count on through thick and thin.

And yes, I know, the TV version that I enjoyed so much as a kid wore sky blue pants that matched his short. I've opted to go with the books and older comics and give him jeans instead. The pale blue pants were a silly choice for an action hero.