Character/Dell

Tonto

The Lone Ranger's partner

Tonto first appeared in Large Feature Comic #7 (1939-01), published by Dell. 393 appearances are indexed across 30 series.

John Reid was one of a posse of six members of the Texas Rangers, led by his older brother Captain Dan Reid. They were in pursuit of a band of outlaws led by Butch Cavendish, but were betrayed and led into an ambush. Later, a Native American named Tonto stumbled upon the aftermath and discovered that one of the Rangers, John Reid, was still alive. Reid told Tonto that he intended to hunt down Cavendish and his men and bring them to justice. To hide the fact that Reid survived, Tonto prepared an empty sixth grave and placed at its head a marker bearing John Reid's name. In order to conceal his identity, Reid wore a black domino mask, becoming the Lone Ranger. Together, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, fought outlaws in the American Old West.