ZORRO: MAN OF THE DEAD #4, by Massive Publishing on 5/1/24, brings the modern take on the masked man to a close when Zorro is wounded, Rosa is kidnapped by the cartel, and all hope is lost.
Credits:
- Writer: Sean Gordon Murphy
- Artist: Sean Gordon Murphy
- Colorist: Simon Gough
- Letterer: DC Hopkins
- Cover Artist: Sean Gordon Murphy
- Publisher: Massive Publishing
- Release Date: May 1, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: 4.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single issue
Covers:
Analysis of ZORRO: MAN OF THE DEAD #4:
Plot Analysis:
When last we left Zorro and Rosa, their attempt to steal Rojo’s information about the Opium business failed miserably. Zorro was shot by Trejo, who stood poised to end the masked man’s life, and Rosa was captured by Rojo’s gang members.
In ZORRO: MAN OF THE DEAD #4, Cementerio and his men open fire on Trejo and Rojo’s gang. In the confusion, they snatch Zorro away from Trejo and barely manage to escape. Rosa, however, remained in Rojo’s clutches.
Later, Rojo orders Rosa tortured to divulge everything she knows about the DEA. Cementerio decides the only option is to flee since he believes the cartel is sending reinforcements. Zorro, after recovering from his gunshot, decides he’s no longer worthy of the mask and decides it’s time to revert to Diego permanently.
When all hope is lost, Bandido the fox sneaks into Rojo’s stronghold to help Rosa survive and deliver a message from Rosa to Zorro – the odds are better than they think.
Character Development:
Everyone gets a moment to shine in ZORRO: MAN OF THE DEAD #4, which puts a solid capper on the finale. Zorro overcomes a moment of weakness, Rosa accepts her place by her brother’s side as a fighter for justice, Trejo is forced to face his part in Rojo’s legacy of evil, and Cementerio finds a renewal of faith.
Nearly every character learns something about becoming who they were meant to be and achieves a new status quo.
Artwork and Presentation:
Sean Gordon Murphy’s instantly recognizable art style is Grade A visual material in this issue. Murphy’s character work and facial expressions sometimes tend toward exaggerated, but this issue achieves a gritty groundedness that looks amazing and suits the dichotomy between Rosa’s reality and Diego’s fantasy. Also, hats of Simon Gough’s immaculate coloring.
Art Samples:
Pacing and Structure:
Murphy’s story beats are outstanding for what you expect out of a finale. The Pace rises and falls to keep the reader on a roller coaster of tension. The action is fast-paced and dynamic, and the final battle ends with a splash page that’s a work of art, combining reality and metaphor.
Thematic Exploration:
Overall, Murphy’s story tackles the tricky topic of faith. Not just religious faith, but faith in one’s purpose and destiny. When the faith of one person is strong enough, it can attract and inspire faith in others. The final fight uses the idea of inspiration to the hilt.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
As of yet, Massive hasn’t announced any plans for a sequel. However, bits of dialog and the new status quo of several characters suggest La Vega may have more trouble worthy of Zorro’s attention in the future.
Historical Context:
First appearing in All-Story Weekly in August of 1919, Zorro is technically considered a Public Domain character. That said, a US-based claims company holds the Trademark rights to Zorro, so any future work will depend on the licensing costs.
Final Thoughts:
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ZORRO: MAN OF THE DEAD #4 ends the finale with a rollercoaster of tension, action, and drama. Sean Gordon Murphy’s surprisingly layered story mixes action with human drama, and the art is superb.
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