The Lone Ranger #5 Cover (John Cassaday)
Artist: John Cassaday (All)
246 Views - 58 Comments - 35 Likes
Artwork Details
|
DescriptionWhile I like Western comic art in general and the Two-Gun Kid in particular, I must honestly say that I had never (at least expressly) linked the latter with the Lone Ranger although their origin stories and respective missions are quite different. The main similarity of course is that they are both masked to protect their actual identities. That having been said, I also followed the Lone Ranger television series in my youth and it was also a favorite series of mine.The present cover has a bitter-sweet ring to it. It is the Lone Ranger brilliantly rendered by the brilliantly talented John Cassaday who, however, left us so tragically early. So this piece is also my small tribute to a brilliant artist whom I understand was an even more brilliant human being. My only regret is that I did not have an opportunity to meet him. This cover, to me at least, is paradoxically both simple and complex at one and the same time. In order to appreciate this apparently contradictory statement, one has to view the piece itself. Social/Sharing |
About the Owner
|
 |
Contact the OwnerUse can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
|
Comments on this Artwork
You must be logged in to make comments.
Comicart Boston 
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
Derek Crabbe wrote:
Hi-yo Silver Away!
And with silver bullets to boot! Many thanks, Kemo Sabe!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
Rick W wrote:
Many thanks, Rick. I am assuming that there is no further meaning?
Rick W
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
Comicart Boston wrote:
Many thanks, Rick. I am assuming that there is no further meaning?
No, just the theme song performed with bravado ;)
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
Rick W wrote:
No, just the theme song performed with bravado ;)
Now that is the Rick whom we all know!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/30/2025
Rick W wrote:
No, just the theme song performed with bravado ;)
My apologies, Rick. I hadn't noticed the link at first - of course, that's the theme song that we all know and love.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/29/2025
J. Lim wrote:
Outstanding!
Many thanks. As mentioned, it is so simple, yet so complex and nuanced in its execution.
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
Excellent Cassaday cover and the kind of image that reminds you exactly why he was one of the top artistic voices in comics of his generation. Both somber and special that he had kept it for his own collection and now the caretaking for it passes onto you. It has a real timeless quality to it and is illustrated and inked to clean perfection.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
Kavi H wrote:
Excellent Cassaday cover and the kind of image that reminds you exactly why he was one of the top artistic voices in comics of his generation. Both somber and special that he had kept it for his own collection and now the caretaking for it passes onto you. It has a real timeless quality to it and is illustrated and inked to clean perfection.
Many thanks, Kavi. An excellent and succinct description, if I may say so. This piece has gone to a good home for the time being.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
Looks like you got this from Heritage. You chose wisely. It is one of his finest. I considered buying this years ago and would loved to have had it but refused to buy anything else from his dealer.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
Peter Sullivan wrote:
Looks like you got this from Heritage. You chose wisely. It is one of his finest. I considered buying this years ago and would loved to have had it but refused to buy anything else from his dealer.
Yes, Peter. This was the Heritage auction from his collection for the benefit of his family. And, yes, it's also tough - or even wholly frustrating - dealing with some dealers and/or individuals.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/29/2025
Carlo M wrote:
Great example of Cassaday'd enormous talent
It is, Carlo, and, if I may say so, this is a particularly exceptional example all round.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 11/29/2025
I don't know about that. I don't think there's anything simple about this. Without even getting into the linework (which is fantastic), the combination of tones and textures is sublime. From the darkest blacks to the most subtle shading, the play of light and shadow is brilliant and absolutely perfect. While I have enjoyed Cassaday's work, it was never to a point of actively wanting to add an example to my collection. But I would buy this in a heartbeat. Stunning, stunning, piece.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/29/2025
E DLS wrote:
I don't know about that. I don't think there's anything simple about this. Without even getting into the linework (which is fantastic), the combination of tones and textures is sublime. From the darkest blacks to the most subtle shading, the play of light and shadow is brilliant and absolutely perfect. While I have enjoyed Cassaday's work, it was never to a point of actively wanting to add an example to my collection. But I would buy this in a heartbeat. Stunning, stunning, piece.
Many thanks, Eric. I totally agree with you. However, at first glance, the concept as well as framework for this cover is actually quite simple and straightforward - that is until you look at it more closely. It is absolutely stunning indeed.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/29/2025
Andy Wurst wrote:
Great cover!
Many thanks, Andy. It is more and more stunning the more I look at it. The execution is almost flawless.
John Voytek
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
Simply fantastic! Iconic pose for a true icon of the American West! Congratulations on another great cover!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/29/2025
John Voytek wrote:
Simply fantastic! Iconic pose for a true icon of the American West! Congratulations on another great cover!
Many thanks, John. I actually don't have many covers so it was a real thrill to be able to obtain this one.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/29/2025
Ron S wrote:
Best cover in that auction!!! Hi Ho Silver!!
Many thanks, Ron. It is such an iconic pose and so well executed.
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
3 - Posted on 11/29/2025
One of John's most striking covers! This was not only the cover to the series, but also the cover to the Dynamite Cover Art of John Cassaday, which both John and I thought was best.
Congrats on having one of the single best covers, and one used on a few covers!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/29/2025
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor wrote:
One of John's most striking covers! This was not only the cover to the series, but also the cover to the Dynamite Cover Art of John Cassaday, which both John and I thought was best.
Congrats on having one of the single best covers, and one used on a few covers!
Many thanks, Nick. I am honored to be the steward of this cover which is also posted here as a tribute in John's memory.
M L
Member Since 2015
2 - Posted on 11/30/2025
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor wrote:
One of John's most striking covers! This was not only the cover to the series, but also the cover to the Dynamite Cover Art of John Cassaday, which both John and I thought was best.
Congrats on having one of the single best covers, and one used on a few covers!
Even though Cassaday's body of work is so impressive, it's still easy to see that this is a superlative example. Congrats CAB!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/30/2025
M L wrote:
Even though Cassaday's body of work is so impressive, it's still easy to see that this is a superlative example. Congrats CAB!
Many thanks, Mikail. I totally agree - this is Cassaday plus plus!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
It's a simple composition, but a brilliantly executed drawing of the Lone Ranger, especially with the dramatic up shot!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/29/2025
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
It's a simple composition, but a brilliantly executed drawing of the Lone Ranger, especially with the dramatic up shot!
Many thanks, Rubén. Yes, the composition is deceptively simple indeed but the execution is amazingly intricate.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 11/30/2025
The iconic cover used for issue 5. Better than the one used for issue 1 which was a just a badge. Good thing Nick took over, because whoever ran Dynamite Comics at the time didn't know what they were doing.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/30/2025
Marcus Wai wrote:
The iconic cover used for issue 5. Better than the one used for issue 1 which was a just a badge. Good thing Nick took over, because whoever ran Dynamite Comics at the time didn't know what they were doing.
Now I am confused, Marcus. Wasn't Nick the founder of Dynamite Entertainment and wouldn't he have had a say, in particular, in this particular series which he had fought so hard to get the franchise for. Or are you just pulling our leg again! Regardless, this IS an iconic cover. Just brilliant.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 11/30/2025
Comicart Boston wrote:
Now I am confused, Marcus. Wasn't Nick the founder of Dynamite Entertainment and wouldn't he have had a say, in particular, in this particular series which he had fought so hard to get the franchise for. Or are you just pulling our leg again! Regardless, this IS an iconic cover. Just brilliant.
Two statements can be true at the same time.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/30/2025
Joseba Herrero wrote:
Excellent piece. Congrats
Many thanks, Joseba. And many congratulations on a wonderful gallery of Batman original artwork!
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 11/30/2025
Great cover, huge congrats on this beautiful piece from Cassaday. Cheers!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/30/2025
James Dornoff wrote:
Great cover, huge congrats on this beautiful piece from Cassaday. Cheers!
Many thanks, James. John Cassaday is a wonderful artist but he far exceeded even my expectations for this particular cover.
Jared Simmons
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 11/30/2025
It's such a great piece with the power stance and the perspective showing the Lone Ranger as a towering figure ready to dispense silver justice with both barrels. I was so tempted to bid on this. Congrats on picking it up.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/30/2025
Jared Simmons wrote:
It's such a great piece with the power stance and the perspective showing the Lone Ranger as a towering figure ready to dispense silver justice with both barrels. I was so tempted to bid on this. Congrats on picking it up.
Many thanks, Jarred. That's an excellent description. And the detail on it is so nuanced and beautiful.
David Kwock
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 11/30/2025
Wow such a beautiful cover CAB! Major congrats. I agree and love your statement of the piece being simple yet complex as I feel it's quite a perfect way to describe. Simple in that the image is focused on one subject and also done very cleanly yet the way he achieved this simplicity with so little is quite complex. The places where he added detail feels so impactful and thought out due to how sparingly he used the darker values. Such a striking image and an amazing cover done by Cassaday. Awesome tribute to an awesome artist!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/1/2025
David Kwock wrote:
Wow such a beautiful cover CAB! Major congrats. I agree and love your statement of the piece being simple yet complex as I feel it's quite a perfect way to describe. Simple in that the image is focused on one subject and also done very cleanly yet the way he achieved this simplicity with so little is quite complex. The places where he added detail feels so impactful and thought out due to how sparingly he used the darker values. Such a striking image and an amazing cover done by Cassaday. Awesome tribute to an awesome artist!
Many thanks, David. This means a lot, especially coming from you. Do take care.
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 12/1/2025
What a nice Tribute, my friend. That cover as you said talks by itself about its quality and the artistic skills Cassaday had. I can imagine a better place to curate this amazing "western".
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/1/2025
Toni S wrote:
What a nice Tribute, my friend. That cover as you said talks by itself about its quality and the artistic skills Cassaday had. I can imagine a better place to curate this amazing "western".
Many thanks, Toni. And, as mentioned, I love Westerns. This is such a fantastic cover - probably the best in this series, and then some.
Corey Rust
Member Since 2023
1 - Posted on 12/1/2025
Love the perspective of this...also the shading is.top.tier
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/1/2025
Corey Rust wrote:
Love the perspective of this...also the shading is.top.tier
Many thanks, Corey. I totally agree. The concept is simple but so very well executed indeed.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/1/2025
Brian Norton wrote:
John knew how to draw. Sorely missed.
Many thanks, Brian. Yes, it's so very sad that he left us so soon.
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/1/2025
Love the recent theme and this piece in particular is stunning. Congrats on a magnificent addition!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/1/2025
Dave W wrote:
Love the recent theme and this piece in particular is stunning. Congrats on a magnificent addition!
Many thanks, Dave. The recent theme is purely coincidental but most welcome!
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 12/2/2025
John Cassaday at the absolute pinnacle of his flawless composition and otherworldly execution. I love the fact that John obviously loved this subject matter so much; he really poured his time and signature talents into a long run of Lone Ranger covers, and they are arguably his definitive work, imho. I do love me some Planetary, but good heavens... just -look- at this thing. So many of his Lone Ranger covers were stunning, but you got a powerhouse example here, with the rich lighting, immaculate shading, and unmistakable sense of place and environment (the wind blowing the billowing smoke, as well as lifting the corner edge of his kerchief is just perfect) nestling together into a perfectly balanced Cassaday composition. Not blackening the smoke cloud until it's basically past the Ranger (so as to not dilute focus or weigh down the composition) is sheer mastery, as is the block-black debris jutting up in the bottom right corner, channeling the viewer's gaze to the right, to mirror the wind and instill a distinct sensation of motion into the piece. Just... WOW. A masterwork, right at home with your other incredible treasures, CAB! Bonanza! :)
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/2/2025
Jason Hussa wrote:
John Cassaday at the absolute pinnacle of his flawless composition and otherworldly execution. I love the fact that John obviously loved this subject matter so much; he really poured his time and signature talents into a long run of Lone Ranger covers, and they are arguably his definitive work, imho. I do love me some Planetary, but good heavens... just -look- at this thing. So many of his Lone Ranger covers were stunning, but you got a powerhouse example here, with the rich lighting, immaculate shading, and unmistakable sense of place and environment (the wind blowing the billowing smoke, as well as lifting the corner edge of his kerchief is just perfect) nestling together into a perfectly balanced Cassaday composition. Not blackening the smoke cloud until it's basically past the Ranger (so as to not dilute focus or weigh down the composition) is sheer mastery, as is the block-black debris jutting up in the bottom right corner, channeling the viewer's gaze to the right, to mirror the wind and instill a distinct sensation of motion into the piece. Just... WOW. A masterwork, right at home with your other incredible treasures, CAB! Bonanza! :)
Many thanks, Jason. All I can say is that I am sorely tempted to cut and paste your description and substitute it for mine! You analyse artwork so perceptively and profoundly and are always on point! BTW, I loved the Bonanza TV series as well!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/6/2025
Teddie M wrote:
Cassaday was a special artist.
Many thanks, and really like your Cassaday piece too.
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/5/2025
Lone Ranger or TGK...a perfect fit for your collection.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/6/2025
Felix Lu wrote:
Lone Ranger or TGK...a perfect fit for your collection.
Many thanks, Felix. I must confess that I hadn't realized the correlation before until I noticed the fact that I had posted the Two-Gun Kid commission immediately before this one.
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 12/9/2025
Stunnning Lone Ranger cover by the late, great John Cassidy. I love how threatening the Lone Ranger looks here--threatening to evildoers anyway. The backlighting does a lot to give him that dark, foreboding look. But then so do the two six-shooters in his hands. Just a great ciover featuring one of those legendary heroes from days of yore. Fabulous pick-up, congrats!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/10/2025
Bill J wrote:
Stunnning Lone Ranger cover by the late, great John Cassidy. I love how threatening the Lone Ranger looks here--threatening to evildoers anyway. The backlighting does a lot to give him that dark, foreboding look. But then so do the two six-shooters in his hands. Just a great ciover featuring one of those legendary heroes from days of yore. Fabulous pick-up, congrats!
Many thanks, Bill. Yes, it's simply a glorious cover and you've captured the mood and atmosphere so very well.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/19/2025
Alex B wrote:
What an iconic cover ! Simply perfect.
Many thanks, Alex. And many congrats on a very well-curated CAF Gallery!
Latest Updates
All |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Auctions ADVERTISEMENT
 |
Marvel punisher War Zone Original Art Issue 38 Pg 8 John Hebert |
Auctions
| Mark Buckingham and Kev Sutherland Star Trek Unlim |
Auctions
 |
STEVE DITKO AMAZING SPIDER-MAN MARVEL MASTERWORK PIN-UP ORIGINAL ART (SOLD FOR $590K) |
Auctions
 |
Adam Kubert - Wolverine #95 Cover |
Hakes Auctions
 |
J. ALLEN ST. JOHN TIGER OVERLOOKING A TOWN ORIGINAL ART. |
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.. FREE!
Modern Mythology Comic Art
1 Accepting Commissions
Commission an Artist
For Sale Updates
Classified Updates |
|
Robert Hughes1/23/2026 7:28:00 PM |
|
Monty B1/23/2026 5:37:00 PM |
|
Mugen R.1/23/2026 4:52:00 PM |
|
ComicLINK.Com Auctions1/23/2026 4:47:00 PM |
|
NELSON H1/23/2026 3:11:00 PM |
|
ENRIQUE ALONSO1/23/2026 2:36:00 PM |
|
Dealer Updates |
|
RomitaMan Original Art1/24/2026 4:37:00 AM |
|
Coollines Artwork1/23/2026 9:53:00 PM |
|
Koch Comic Art1/23/2026 7:20:00 PM |
|
Anthony's Comicbook Art1/23/2026 4:51:00 PM |
|
ComiConArt1/23/2026 3:57:00 PM |
|
Catskill Comics1/23/2026 2:15:00 PM |
|
|
Become a Premium CAF Gallery Owner & you'll be supporting CAF and also gain access to many services and features not available to standard members.
|