The Lone Ranger starred in a popular newspaper comic strip. So why not his grand-nephew, the Green Hornet?
The Bell Syndicate attempted to do just that in 1940, creating a promotional pamphlet for newspapers that showcased 24 sample episodes of a daily Green Hornet strip.
But the feature — scripted by Fran Striker and drawn by Bert Whitman — never went any further, although the popular radio crimefighter would appear in various comic book series.
Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger had an enviable run in newspapers, beginning in 1938.
“Written by Striker himself, the new feature debuted on Sept. 10, 1938, and was first drawn by Ed Kressy, who was replaced by Charles Flanders early in 1939,” recalled comics historian Maurice Horn.
“The Lone Ranger was one was one of the longest-running western strips, disappearing finally in December 1971,” Horn said.
The daring and resourceful Masked Rider of the Plains also galloped off into comic books, novels, his own pulp magazine, movie serials, TV, and feature films.
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