ZORRO: MAN OF THE DEAD #1-3 / Script and Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY / Colors by SIMON GOUGH / Letters by DC HOPKINS / Published by MASSIVE PUBLISHING

200 years ago, a masked hero defended the Mexican village of La Vega from the tyranny of the Spanish. With sword and whip, and his faithful steed, Tornado, Zorro struck a blow for freedom before fading into legend. Yet the people of La Vega remembered Zorro, and honored him along with their ancestors during Dia De Los Muertos.

20 years ago, La Vega fell under the control of a brutal cartel. The local drug baron, El Rojo, forbid the celebration of Zorro and killed the local man who played the part for the festival that year. Witnessing the crime were the man’s children, Rosa and Diego.

Now, Rosa is a driver for the cartel, just trying to get by. Diego, struck mute by the trauma of their father’s death, has been cared for by a local eccentric named Alejandro. Diego has also begun to believe that he is Zorro, and trained himself accordingly. Yet he still recognizes Rosa and urges her to join him in leading a rebellion against the cartel that has enslaved their village. However, the confused Diego is not the only one who still believes in the legend. And in La Vega’s darkest hour he may become the hero they need.

I had heard about Sean Gordon Murphy’s effort to put a new spin on Zorro, but the first two issues passed me by. Thankfully, I was able to catch up on the series recently, in addition to checking out the third part of the four-part revamp. I am quite glad I did, as this is one heck of a comic.

Those who enjoyed Murphy’s art and writing on Batman: White Knight will find Zorro: Man of the Dead to be a welcome follow-up. The plot blends Don Quixote with Narcos: Mexico, into a neat modernization of the Zorro legend. However, it is Murphy’s eye for detail, ear for dialogue and memorable supporting cast that mark this Zorro book as something special. The colors by Simon Gough and letters of DC Hopkins are also as well-honed as Zorro’s blade.

If you like swashbuckling or stories of urban heroes, Zorro: Man of the Dead is sure to leave a mark on your heart. Thankfully, those who have missed out on the series to date, like me, will soon have a chance to read the complete TP edition.

Zorro: Man of the Dead #3 arrives in comic shops on March 27, 2024.

Zorro: Man of the Dead TP releases on July 30, 2024.