Rawhide Kid

Last updated
Rawhide Kid
RawhideKid.jpg
The Rawhide Kid as depicted in The Rawhide Kid (Vol. 4) #1 (June 2010). Art by John Cassaday.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance (first version)
Rawhide Kid #1 (March 1955) (second version)
Rawhide Kid #17 (August, 1960) [1]
Created by(first version)
Stan Lee (writer)
Bob Brown (artist)
(second version)
Stan Lee
Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter ego
  • John Barton Clay
  • Johnny Bart
Team affiliations Avengers
West Coast Avengers
The Sensational Seven
Notable aliases
  • Johnny Clay
  • Trey

The Rawhide Kid (real name: Johnny Bart, originally given as Johnny Clay) is a fictional Old West cowboy appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. A heroic gunfighter of the 19th-century American West who was unjustly wanted as an outlaw, he is one of Marvel's most prolific Western characters. He and other Marvel western heroes have on rare occasions guest-starred through time travel in such contemporary titles as The Avengers and West Coast Avengers . In two mature-audience miniseries, in 2003 and 2010, he is depicted as gay.

Contents

Publication history

Atlas Comics

The Rawhide Kid debuted in the 16-issue Rawhide Kid series (March 1955-Sept. 1957) from Marvel's 1950s predecessor, Atlas Comics. [2] The original Rawhide Kid was a blonde cowboy, that was never named, used a whip and was friend with the child Randy,

Marvel Comics

After a hiatus, the Rawhide Kid was rebooted for what was now Marvel Comics by writer Stan Lee, penciler Jack Kirby and inker Dick Ayers. Continuing the Atlas numbering with issue #17 (Aug. 1960), [3] [4] the title now featured a diminutive yet confident, soft-spoken fast gun constantly underestimated by bullying toughs, varmints, owlhoots, polecats, crooked saloon owners and other archetypes squeezed through the prism of Lee and Kirby's anarchic imagination. [5] As in the outsized, exuberantly exaggerated action of the later-to-come World War II series Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos , The Rawhide Kid was now a freewheeling romp of energetic, almost slapstick action across cattle ranches, horse troughs, corrals, canyons and swinging chandeliers. Stringently moral, the Kid nevertheless showed a gleeful pride in his shooting and his acrobatic fight skills — never picking arguments, but constantly forced to surprise lummoxes far bigger than he was.

Through retcon, aspects of the Atlas and Silver Age characters' history meshed, so that the unnamed infant son of settlers the Clay family, orphaned by a Cheyenne raid, was raised by Texas Ranger Ben Bart on a ranch near Rawhide, Texas. Older brother Frank Clay, captured by Native Americans, eventually escaped and became a gambler, while eldest brother Joe Clay became sheriff of the town of Willow Flats; neither were in the regular cast, and each died in a guest appearance.[ citation needed ] Shortly after Johnny's 18th birthday, Ben Bart was murdered; Johnny, an almost preternaturally fast and accurate gunman, wounded the killers and left them to be taken into custody. A later misunderstanding between the Kid and a sheriff over a cattle rustler that the Kid wounded in self-defense led to the hero's life as a fugitive.

Rawhide Kid's full name was revealed in issue # 60 in the Letter's Column as John Barton Clay. The Rawhide Kid ended publication with issue #151 (May 1979).

The Rawhide Kid later appeared as a middle-aged character in a four-issue miniseries, The Rawhide Kid (vol. 2) (Aug.-Nov. 1985), by writer Bill Mantlo and penciler Herb Trimpe. [6] [7]

2000s treatments

The Rawhide Kid reappeared in the four-issue miniseries Blaze of Glory (Feb.-March 2000; published biweekly), by writer John Ostrander and artist Leonardo Manco, [8] and a 2002 four-issue sequel, Apache Skies , by the same creative team. [9]

In contrast to the character's previously depicted appearance — a small-statured, clean-cut redhead — these latter two series depicted him with shoulder-length dark hair, and wearing a slightly less stylized, more historically appropriate outfit than his classic one.

A five-issue miniseries, Rawhide Kid (vol. 3) (April–June 2003), titled "Slap Leather" [10] [11] was published biweekly by Marvel's mature-audience MAX imprint. Here, the character was depicted as homosexual, with a good portion of the dialogue dedicated to innuendo to this effect. [12]

A sequel miniseries, The Rawhide Kid (vol. 4) (Aug.-Nov. 2010), [13] rendered with a subtitle on covers as Rawhide Kid: The Sensational Seven, [14] found the Kid and his posse (consisting of Kid Colt, Doc Holliday, Annie Oakley, Billy the Kid, Red Wolf and the Two-Gun Kid) track the villainous Cristo Pike after Pike and his gang kidnap Wyatt and Morgan Earp. [15]

Fictional character biography

Johnny Clay was born in 1850 and orphaned as an infant, adopted by Ben Bart. In 1868 his "uncle" was murdered and he left the family ranch. [16] In 1869 he became a wanted man. [16] In 1870 he fought the Living Totem. [17] In 1872 he captured the costumed Grizzly with the help of the Two-Gun Kid. [18] He joined Kid Colt to defeat Iron Mask. [19] In 1873 he met the Avengers [20] In 1874 he met Doc Holliday. In 1875, he helped the Black Panther with Kid Colt and the Two-Gun Kid. [21] In 1876 the Rawhide Kid, Kid Colt and the Two-Gun Kid faced Red Raven, Iron Mask and the Living Totem with the help of the Avengers. In 1879 he met the Apache Kid. Subsequently, he became a performer for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show where he remained until 1885. In 1897 he took an understudy under his tutelage. [22]

Other versions

Marvel Zombies

When a meteorite landed on Earth-483, it emitted radiation that resurrected the Rawhide Kid's corpse and all of the corpses buried in the adjacent Boot Hill as zombies. The Rawhide Kid and the other reanimated gunslingers invade a nearby town before being killed by Hurricane. [23]

Secret Wars

During the Secret Wars storyline, the Rawhide Kid appears as a member of the Thor Corps who guards a Wild West-themed domain of Battleworld called the Valley of Doom. He arrested that region's version of Hank Pym for illegal possession of adamantium, which led to Pym being banished to the Ultron-infested domain of Perfection. [24]

In other media

The Rawhide Kid appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 . [25]

Reception

Comic Book Resources placed the 2000 series depiction of the Rawhide Kid as one of the superheroes Marvel wants you to forget. [26]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Western Gunfighters</i>

Western Gunfighters is the name of two American Western-anthology comic book series published by Marvel Comics and its 1950s forerunner, Atlas Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apache Kid (comics)</span> Comics character

The Apache Kid (Alan Krandal) is a fictional Old West character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has been mostly seen in stories from Marvel's 1950s precursor, Atlas Comics. This character was named after, but is unrelated to, the real-life Native American man known as The Apache Kid (Haskay-bay-nay-natyl).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two-Gun Kid</span> Fictional character in Marvel Comics

The Two-Gun Kid is the name of two Western fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first, Clay Harder, was introduced in a 1948 comic from Marvel predecessor Timely Comics. The second, Matt Hawk a.k.a. Matthew J. Hawkins, was introduced in 1962 and has continued to appear into the 2010s. The latter Kid is better known, thanks primarily to his connection with, and later full integration into, the shared continuity of Marvel Comics known as the Marvel Universe, but the Clay Harder Kid enjoyed a 14-year span in comics.

Kid Colt is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first is a cowboy whose adventures have taken place in numerous western-themed comic book series published by Marvel. The second is a cowboy-themed horse-like superhero. The character's first appearance was in Kid Colt #1.

<i>Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes</i>

Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes is a four-issue comic book limited series published in 2000 by Marvel Comics. It was written by John Ostrander and drawn by Leonardo Manco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outlaw Kid</span> Comics character

The Outlaw Kid is a fictional Western hero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character originally appeared in 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 starred in a reprint series in the 1970s and a short-lived revival.

Razorline was an imprint of American comic book company Marvel Comics that ran from 1993 to 1995. It was created by filmmaker and horror/fantasy novelist Clive Barker, with its characters existing in one of the many alternate universes outside the mainstream continuity known as the Marvel Universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringo Kid</span> Comics character

The Ringo Kid is a fictional Western character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. His comic book series was originally released by the company's 1950s predecessor, Atlas Comics. The character is depicted as having a Caucasian father and a Native American mother. 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 Kents is the title of a 12-issue comic book limited series published by DC Comics, from August 1997 to July 1998. The story concerns a troubled generation of ancestors to Jonathan "Pa" Kent. Set in the mid to late 19th century, the two main characters are brothers Nathaniel and Jebediah. The series was written by John Ostrander. As with many limited series, it was later collected as a trade paperback.

<i>Marvel: The Lost Generation</i>

Marvel: The Lost Generation is a twelve-issue comic book miniseries published by Marvel Comics in 2000 and 2001. The series was scripted by Roger Stern and drawn by John Byrne with both as co-plotters. Numbered in reverse order, it began with issue #12 and finished with issue #1.

Red Raven is the name of three separate fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. These characters are the original Red Raven, a flying superhero, who appeared in print once in 1940, then not again until 1968, and occasionally since then; the second Red Raven, named Dania, who is a flying superhero and daughter of the original Red Raven, who first appeared in print in 1992, and occasionally since then; and Redford Raven, a Wild West villain who owned a set of medicine-enchanted wings, was also called Red Raven, and has appeared in print three times, in 1964, 1985, and 1987.

Hyperkind is a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics' Razorline imprint that ran from 1993 to 1994. Created by filmmaker and horror/fantasy novelist Clive Barker as one of the imprint's four interconnected series, it starred a team of four young adults whose superpowers represent aspects of human consciousness. Its characters exist in one of the many alternate universes outside the mainstream continuity known as the Marvel Universe.

<i>All Winners Comics</i>

All Winners Comics is the name of two American comic book series of the 1940s, both were published by Marvel Comics' predecessor, Timely Comics, during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books. A superhero anthology comic in both cases, they variously featured such star characters as Captain America, the original Human Torch, and the Sub-Mariner. All Winners Comics was also the venue for two full-length stories of Marvel's first superhero team, the (hyphenated) All-Winners Squad.

<i>Daring Mystery Comics</i>

Daring Mystery Comics is an American comic-book series published by Timely Comics, a predecessor of Marvel Comics, during the 1930–40s period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books. Primarily a superhero anthology, it ran eight issues from 1940 to 1942, and is notable for work by Carl Burgos, Bill Everett, Alex Schomburg, and the team of Joe Simon & Jack Kirby.

Red Wolf is a superhero identity used by several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Those who assume the identity are Native American heroes with mystical powers and a trusted wolf companion named Lobo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Kid</span> Fictional character

The Western Kid is a fictional Old West character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was the star of Western feature published by Marvel's 1950s precursor, Atlas Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western comics</span> Comic genre

Western comics is a comics genre usually depicting the American Old West frontier and typically set during the late nineteenth century. The term is generally associated with an American comic books genre published from the late 1940s through the 1950s. Western comics of the period typically featured dramatic scripts about cowboys, gunfighters, lawmen, bounty hunters, outlaws, and Native Americans. Accompanying artwork depicted a rural America populated with such iconic images as guns, cowboy hats, vests, horses, saloons, ranches, and deserts, contemporaneous with the setting.

<i>Gunsmoke Western</i> American comic book series

Gunsmoke Western is an American comic book series that was published initially by Atlas Comics, the 1950s forerunner of Marvel Comics, and then into the 1960s by Marvel. A Western anthology that ran 46 issues, it featured early stories of the Marvel Old West heroes Kid Colt and the Two-Gun Kid, and work by such artists as Jack Kirby, John Severin, Joe Maneely, Doug Wildey, and many others.

<i>The Mighty Marvel Western</i> Marvel comic book series

The Mighty Marvel Western is an American comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics. A Western anthology that ran 46 issues, it consisted of reprint stories of the Marvel Old West heroes the Rawhide Kid, Kid Colt, the Two-Gun Kid, and Matt Slade, featuring much art by Jack Kirby, Jack Keller, and others. New covers, on all but three issues, were by Herb Trimpe, John Severin and Gil Kane, among others.

<i>Rawhide Kid</i> (comic book) Western comic book title

Rawhide Kid is a comic book series featuring the character Rawhide Kid originally published by Atlas Comics, and later by Marvel Comics. In ran from 1955 to 1979, with a hiatus during the late 1950s.

References

  1. ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #9. Marvel Comics. 2009. p. 12. ISBN   9780785131069.
  2. ↑ Markstein, Don. "The Rawhide Kid". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  3. ↑ "Rawhide Kid (I) (1955–1979)". The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators. Archived from the original on 2017-10-26.
  4. ↑ Rawhide Kid, The (Marvel, 1960 Series) at the Grand Comics Database. "The" as per copyrighted title in postal indicia, no "The" on cover-logo trademark.
  5. ↑ Brevoort, Tom; DeFalco, Tom; Manning, Matthew K.; Sanderson, Peter; Wiacek, Win (2017). Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History. DK Publishing. p. 78. ISBN   978-1465455505.
  6. ↑ Rawhide Kid (II) (1985) at The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
  7. ↑ Rawhide Kid (Marvel, 1985 Series) at the Grand Comics Database. "The" as per cover-logo trademark; no "The" in copyrighted title in postal indicia.
  8. ↑ Blaze of Glory at the Grand Comics Database
  9. ↑ Apache Skies at the Grand Comics Database
  10. ↑ Rawhide Kid (III) (2003) at The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
  11. ↑ Rawhide Kid (Marvel, MAX imprint, 2003 Series) at the Grand Comics Database
  12. ↑ Brevoort, Tom; DeFalco, Tom; Manning, Matthew K.; Sanderson, Peter; Wiacek, Win (2017). Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History. DK Publishing. p. 60. ISBN   978-1465455505.
  13. ↑ The Rawhide Kid (IV) at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators. "The" as per copyrighted title in postal indicia, no "The" on cover-logo trademark.
  14. ↑ Rawhide Kid, The (Marvel, 2010) covers at the Grand Comics Database
  15. ↑ McElhatton, Greg. Rawhide Kid: The Sensational Seven Comic Book Resources; June 11, 2010
  16. 1 2 Rawhide Kid #17, 1960
  17. ↑ Rawhide Kid #22, 1961
  18. ↑ Rawhide Kid #40, 1964
  19. ↑ Kid Colt #121, 1965
  20. ↑ Avengers #142-143, 1975
  21. ↑ Black Panther #45-46
  22. ↑ Rawhide Kid #1-4, 1985
  23. ↑ Fred van Lente ( w ),Kano ( p ),Tom Palmer ( i ),Val Staples ( col ),Simon Bowland ( let ),Mark Paniccia and Michael Horwitz ( ed )."The Dead and the Quick"Marvel Zombies 5,vol. 1,no. 1(7 April 2010).United States:Marvel Comics.
  24. ↑ James Robinson ( w ),Steve Pugh and Paul Rivoche ( p ),Steve Pugh and Paul Rivoche ( i ),John Rauch and Jim Charalampidis ( col ),Clayton Cowles ( let ),Emily Shaw, Mark Paniccia and Chris Robinson ( ed ). Age of Ultron vs. Marvel Zombies,vol. 1,no. 4(2 September 2015).United States:Marvel Comics.
  25. ↑ Kooistra, Darik (May 19, 2017). "Characters - LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 Guide". IGN.
  26. ↑ Smith, Gary (20 August 2017). "15 Superheroes Marvel Wants You To Forget". CBR. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.