Wild Western #55
Kid Colt
While trying to cross a rope bridge, Kid Colt is trapped on either side by two lawmen. However, they haven’t come to arrest him but to talk. Kid Colt has heard this song-and-dance before and he and his horse leap off the bridge into the raging river below.[1] However, when Kid Colt and his horse Steel manage to get to shore, the two lawmen are waiting for him. The Kid decides to give up and see what these men want. Kid Colt is taken to Cross Creek where the sheriff explains that he sought out the Kid because he is the fastest shooting scout in the area and they need his skils. He is then introduced to some Texas Rangers who are going to ride into the hostile territory of El Fuego to capture the notorious Kid Colt. Keeping a straight face, the young outlaw tells them that he’ll gladly help them try and catch Kid Colt. However, he does tell them that whenever the law goes after Kid Colt someone always tips him off. When he asks if these Rangers have kept it secret, they assure him that not even the sheriff was told who they were looking for. Hearing this puts a smile on Kid Colt’s face.
Soon the Rangers are led into El Fuego, unaware that the man leading them into this territory is the same man they are trying to hunt. Along the way, Kid Colt warns them that this is Apache territory. Soon they are approached by Apaches led by chief Black Thunder. Referring Kid Colt as “Straight Gun” the Apache chief asks if he is in any trouble. Kid Colt assures Black Thunder that he is in no danger and Black Thunder takes the opportunity to thank Kid Colt for all the “good medicine” he has brought throughout the years and kept the peace. As a token of his appreciation, Black Thunder gives Kid Colt a bracelet out of red gold. After the Apaches depart, one of the Rangers is impressed by the “medicine” he must have given the Native Americans. Colt tells him that all he did was treat them with fairness and respect and had faith that they would treat him the same.
As they continue their search, the guide asks why they are seeking out Kid Colt and the Ranger admits that they are old charges and they figure they can clear the outlaw of any wrongdoing if they can talk him into going out to Fort Worth. They run into two men named Slade and Tomin next and the Kid says he’ll handle it. Once the Rangers are a safe distance away, the two outlaws say that they want payback for when Kid Colt landed them in jail. However, when they draw their weapons, Kid Colt is faster at the draw and shoots the guns out of their hands. He then tells them that he is escorting Texas Rangers and if they know what’s good for them they’ll get lost.
The rest of the ride to El Fuego is without incident, but when they arrive the Rangers notice when everyone runs for cover at the sight of their guide. The sheriff tells the guide that he has everyone frightened and asks him to leave in peace. That’s when the Texas Rangers identify themselves and say they are looking for Kid Colt. Shocked by this, the sheriff tells them that they rode into town with Kid Colt. Now that he has finally been identified, Kid Colt surrenders to the Rangers, telling them that he’s ready to talk about those old charges. Impressed by everything they saw that day, the leader of the Rangers figures those old charges won’t be a problem anymore.
Recurring Characters
Kid Colt, Steel
Continuity Notes
Kid Colt has told many different accounts as to why he is an outlaw in Kid Colt: Hero of the West #1, as well as Kid Colt Outlaw # 11 and 39, Kid Colt #9. Every story has many differences but the common theme is that Kid Colt killed the man (or men) responsible for killing his father (and/or mother).
The Bounty Hunter
As the Ringo Kid rides into a town of Holster unaware that there is an ambush waiting for him. Luckily a young boy runs out and warns the Kid. As the bullets start to fly, Ringo scoops up the kid and rides away as quickly as he can. Once they reach the safety of a wooded glen, the boy introduces himself as Andy Parsons and reminds the Ringo Kid saved his family when they got sick. Ringo asks why there was an ambush waiting for him in town and Andy explains that a man by the name of Joe Gaines arrived into town and told the locals a bunch of lies about the Kid and worked everybody up. The name doesn’t sound familiar to him.
Later when they decide to break camp, Andy notices that the Kid’s horse has a lame leg. Examining it, Ringo sees that Arab has a splinter of wood in near his hock and won’t be able to move around with an injury. Andy is certain that Doc Stanley in town could treat the horse, but there’s no way for Ringo to bring him. That’s when the Kid decides to send Andy to fetch the doctor and bring him to their location. Soon, Andy gets the doctor and they both ride back to the forest. However, they are seen by Joe Gaines who recognizes Andy as the boy who warned the Ringo Kid. He goes into a nearby saloon and convinces four men that they need to deal with anyone who helps the Ringo Kid.
When the doctor returns to town, Gaines tells the others that he helped out the Ringo Kid. The doctor admits to helping the Kid because he is a decent human being. Andy had ridden back with the doctor and watches as the five men swam the doctor. He quickly rides back to Ringo Kid’s camp and tells him that Joe Gaines and his men have taken the town doctor hostage. The Kid rides into town and when the locals try to stop him he easily disarms them with his superior shooting skills. Stopping in front of the jail he addresses the angry mob of locals and shames them for letting fear drive them to lock up the very doctor that treats their sick and wounded.
When Joe Gaines tries to work up the town again, Ringo Kid shows why Gaines is so interested in catching him. Catching Gains and turning him upsidedown a bunch of old wanted posters come fluttering out his jacket. Ringo explains that Gaines is a bounty hunter who was tricking them into doing Gaines job for him. Worse, the Kid explains, is that these wanted posters are out of date and that he is not an outlaw anymore.[1] Later, after he has been freed from the jail, the doctor thanks the Ringo Kid for freeing him but the Kid says that Andy deserves all the thanks since he helped the entire time.
Recurring Characters
Ringo Kid, Arab
Recurring Characters
Ringo Kid was a wanted outlaw for killing the men responsible for murdering his mother, burning down his family ranch, and trying to lynch his father as seen in Ringo Kid Western #1. According to Wild Western #53, the Ringo Kid was eventually cleared of any wrong doing.
