Unmasked: The Forgotten Origins of Hollywood Most Famous Western Heroes

Everyone recognizes the names of Hopalong Cassidy, the Lone Ranger, Zorro and the Cisco Kid. But how many actually know the characters from their fictional roots? Years before appearing in film, on radio and television, their creators painted a rather different picture of each than Hollywood presented on the silver screen. In this handsome volume, Unmasked collects the first appearances of Hopalong Cassidy, the Cisco Kid and Zorro plus a forgotten novel of the Lone Ranger. With a new introduction by Francis M. Nevins and editorial essays by Tom Roberts. “The origin stories of these heroes are the foundation of the modern Western genre, and should not be missed by any fan who loves Westerns.” Larry D. Sweazy, Spur Award-winning author of The Badger’s Revenge