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History

Origins[]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from All Winners Vol 1 2 001

Matthew Masters as the "Cactus Kid"

The Black Rider was a man with a troubled past. His father, Ned Masters, fled west from the criminal past of his family. His biological mother, Jezebel, died birthing him. When he was only eight years old, his father was killed by a looter named Luke Davis. Matthew Masters never forgot that name and learned to shoot. He killed men since he was thirteen. He made a reputation for himself as a gunslinger called "Cactus Kid" while he hunted Davis, and four years later he finally caught up with him in Jezebel, the same town where his folk had died (near Jefferson County, Texas).

Marvel Westerns Strange Westerns Starring the Black Rider Vol 1 1 001

The "Cactus Kid" confronts his father's killer

The Cactus Kid entered the Silver Saloon and shot Davis dead. The court that judged him put him on probation. The chief judge talked with him in private and helped him to gain a scholarship to medical school. (Another account mentions that he lost both parents at the age of five and that the fight with his parents' killer happened in the Last Chance Saloon at Jefferson County. Later he was granted an official pardon by the Governor of Texas).[1] He studied for six years in Ciudad de Mexico and once he obtained his license, he became a doctor and healer. He established his office in the frontier town of Leadville, Texas.[2][3][4][5][6]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from All Winners Vol 1 2 002

Matthew Masters fears the return to his gunfighter days

When Masters arrived in Leadville, he was approached by the rancher Jim Lathrop and his daughter Marie, who brought a injured cowboy as patient. A thug named Blast Burrows (who was who injured the cowboy in the girst place and he also wanted to evict Jim Lathrop from his lands) killed Masters' patient in front of Masters as well as the Lathrops. Masters was reluctant to return to his previous vicious ways and did nothing and was branded a coward by Marie. Now Masters, stung by that label and unwilling to let that sort of evil continue, fashioned himself a mask and costume and avenged his patient's death. After that Masters continued to fight crime as the Black Rider (sometimes known as the Black Mask). He even taught his horse Ichabod to double as the Black Rider's horse Satan whenever evil threatened. The Black Rider then came to the Lathrop's aid when Blast Barrows returned to their ranch to drive off Jim and force Marie to marry him. The Black Rider rode in, gunning down Barrow's gang and rescuing Marie. In a draw, the Black Rider easily out-gunned Barrow, shooting him dead. Marie was instantly smitten by the Black Rider, who told her not to be so harsh on his alter-ego as he was a good doctor. Later, when Masters returned in his civilian guise to treat the wounded ranch hands on the Lathrop property, Matthew attempted to court Marie but she rebuffed him, telling him that she'd only tolerate him since he was a good doctor. Masters took this on stride and continued to romance Marie as the Black Rider.[2][3]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from All Winners Vol 1 2 003

Matthew Masters first rodeo as the Black Rider

Defender of Leadville[]

Soon after, Leadville was terrorized by Killer Kane and his men while Masters was out on call. When he returned to town, he quickly changed into the Black Rider and fought the outlaws after they accidentally shot Marie's little nephew Bobby.[7] Masters soon took into his care a government agent who was carrying silent bids on a government irrigation contract. When the bids were stolen by Ben Jonas and his men, who sought to win the contract the Black Rider rode again and recovered the stolen bids.[8]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Robert Lathrop from All Western Winners Vol 1 4 001

Bobby Lathrop discovers Doc Masters secret

Soon after, Snake Bostwick came to town and began trying to force ranchers from their property. While changing into the Black Rider, Masters was caught by Marie's younger brother Bobby Lathrop who was sworn to secrecy regarding the Black Rider's dual identity. When Bostwick's gang got the drop on the Black Rider, Bobby arrived in the nick a time, holding Bostwick's gang at gunpoint long enough for the Rider to take down the gang.[9]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from Western Winners Vol 1 5 001

The Black Rider cast his "vote" against murdering gun-slicks and crooked lawmen

Soon after, Grant Dumont and Sash Gale attempted to incite a range war between Leadville's ranchers and a nearby colony of nesters, hiring outlaw Red John to do so. Masters once more became the Black Rider to stop this, but things grew complicated when Red John began disguising himself as the Black Rider, turning the people of Leadville against the hero. The Black Rider caught up to his impostor who was mortally wounded in a gunfight. Before dying John gave a full confession and the Black Rider rallied the locals to stop Dumont and Gale.[10] Soon after, Leadville was running an election to choose a new sheriff. When a local named Waller attempted to use crooked means to try and force people to vote for him, the Black Rider began investigating. The hero uncovered that Waller intended to use his powers as sheriff to impose a tax on cattle that would make local ranchers cash strapped. Having bought up all the mortgages, he then plotted to force the ranchers from their land. The Black Rider prevented Waller from rigging the election through fear and intimidation and then gunned Waller down after he lost and tried to kill the hero.[11]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Marie Lathrop (Earth-616) from Wild Western Vol 1 8 001

Romance growth between the Black Rider and Marie Lathrop

After eliminating the Burroughs Gang, Matthew Masters believed lawlessness in Leadville was over and considered retiring his identity of the Black Rider, and no longer act meek as Masters in order to win the heart of Marie Lathrop. By this time, Buck Barstow had bought up all the mortgages and was forcing ranchers to pay up or be evicted. Masters confronted Barstow, and briefly gained Marie's attention for acting brave. However, overhearing that a stagecoach was robbed and that the Black Rider was still needed, Masters quickly reverted to his meek personality and was trounced by Barstow crushing his chance with Marie. The coach carried money that local store owner Josh Mundy had hopes to give to local ranchers to help them out. Suddenly another masked man,the Phantom, appeared in Leadville and began helping the ranchers. Barstow began pressuring Marie to marry him in order to save her father's ranch, and Matthews renew his identity of the Black Rider. Learning that Barstow was responsible for the coach robbery, he and the Phantom worked together to break up Barstow's gang. When the Phantom took a bullet, the Black Rider took him to the doctors office and learned that he was really Josh Mundy. Fulfilling Mundy's dying wish the Black Rider revealed his secret identity. He was caught in unmasking by Barstow, who tried to kill Masters, but Matthew was a quicker draw. The gunshots attracting the locals, Matthew doffed his costume and led everyone believe the Mundy was responsible for stopping Barstow. After the incident, Masters was committed to maintaining his double identity and protect the people of Leadville.[12]

Riding home from a out-of-town house call, Masters spotted Brush Bennett and his men trying to steal the Lathrop's horses. Trying to stop them, Matthews was wounded and carried out of danger by his horse. As the Masked Rider, Matthews prevented another horse rustling but he and Marie were captured by Bennett. They were saved thanks to Satan, who trampled their captor to death.[13] The Black Rider replaced one of the Lathrop's cowboys (Red) in a rodeo, after he was shot. Here he discovered and shot Outlaw Bucks, who had shot Red and also confessed before dying to have killed Osborn, a rich neighbor of the Lathrop.[14] Later, Matthew was forced to give medical treatment to outlaw Tod Sultan. After being treated, Sultan knocked out Masters and found his Black Rider costume. Sultan then confronted the Leadville sheriff and gunned him down, once more turning the townspeople against the Black Rider. Freed by Bobby Lathrop, Masters learned that Sultan had kidnapped Marie as a hostage. Tracking them down, Masters managed to rope up his impostor without revealing his identity to Marie. Sultan broke free and tried to escape on Satan, only to be bucked off the horse over the edge of a cliff where he fell to his death.[15]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from Western Winners Vol 1 6 001

The Black Rider confronts the Cavemen of Mystery Mountain

Marie once more needed saving by the Black Rider when she disappeared near Mystery Mountain. Climbing the mountain to find her, the Black Rider encountered a tribe of cavemen who lived on the mountain. The Black Rider was captured and the pair were then put to the stake to be burned alive. The Black Rider burned through his bonds, and freed Marie. The Black Rider gunned down all the creatures and helped Marie down to the mountain.[16] Leadville was soon swindled by the Hypnotist who was determined to use his powers to take over the United States. He robbed the Leadville bank, and then hypnotized Marie and the Black Rider and fled town. He later tried to force the Rider to commit suicide, but the hero was able to resist the Hypnotist's will and he was later killed by his partner whom he double crossed earlier.[17]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 8 001

The Black Rider is attacked by Zugg, the giant created by Professor Chalis

In one of his more bizarre adventures, the Black Rider soon clashed with mad scientist Professor Chalis who moved to a mansion outside of Leadville from Boston to conduct his giant-growing experiments in captured cowboys. Chalis brieftly captured Marie and the Black Rider had to figth Zugg, the giant underling of the mad doctor, who probed to be difficult foe. Exposed to his own growth ray, Chalis went mad and attempted to use his device on both the Black Rider and Marie Lathrop. They were rescued from sudden death by Satan, while the giant cowboys killed Chalis in revenge. An explosion finally destroyed the mad doctor's lab.[18]

Belle Raven (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 9 001

The First Fox, Belle Raven. is unmasked by the Black Rider

When railroad politico Mr. Cantrell showed up in Leadville, the Black Rider exposed his plot to manipulate a local Native American tribe to go on the warpath in order to have them wiped out, and prevented an unnecessary war between the two people. During this conflict, Matthew Masters had managed to win over Marie Lathrop by saving Bobby's life when the boy was wounded by an arrow. However, relations with Marie soured shortly after when she became jealous of Belle Raven a woman who sought Masters' medical assistance. Masters could not redeem himself in Marie's eyes even after he -- as the Black Rider -- exposed Raven as the outlaw known as the Fox. Shortly thereafter, Matthew's double identity strained relations with Marie further when the Black Rider agreed to participate in the Leadville rodeo. Masters found himself in a bind when Marie asked him to be her date. Masters however was able to slip away and put on his show as the Black Rider, while also maintaining his double identity. Next, the Black Rider shut down a human trafficking operation that smuggled Mexican immigrants into the United States in barrels of molasses, exposing the ring leader as Senior Morales, an outlaw posing as a Mexican border official.[19] Another outlaw calling himself the Fox then attempted to make a name for himself by taking over Leadville and trying to eliminate the Black Rider. Even after setting up a trap outside of town and taking Marie Lathrop hostage, the Fox failed in his plot and was felled by the Black Rider's guns for his troubles.[20]

Soon after, the Black Rider assisted Jim and Bobby Lathrop in defending the Lathrop ranch from outlaws, after which the Rider confided in Bobby the origin of his double identity. The Black Rider once more had to save Marie Lathrop from danger when the woman foolishly went after a puma that was stalking the cattle on her ranch, saving her in the nick of time. Matthew Masters was later asked by Miss Larrimore -- the local school marm -- to help with a student named Kit Pardee who was refusing to learn his lessons due to dreams of being a gunfighter like the Black Rider. As the Black Rider, Masters taught Kit that all the skills he learned to fight outlaws was thanks to studying, the hero convinced the boy to return to his studies. Not long after gambler Flush Dawson opened a casino in Leadville and Matthew Masters uncovered the fact that it was a crooked operation set up to bilk the citizens of their money. As the Black Rider, Masters shut down the operation and gunned down Dawson.[3] Masters soon found himself in a predicament when both he and Marie Lathrop were captured by Smoke and his Border Raiders who sought to lure the Black Rider into a trap. The pair were rescued by Bobby, who briefly wore the Black Rider costume until he could free Matthew who then wiped out Smoke and his gang.[21]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Pale Mist (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 11 001

The Black Rider protects Pale Mist from the deceived band ofCrooked Knife

The Black Rider soon learned of rising tensions between a local Apache tribe and the US Army postat Fort McVey. The Black Rider uncovered that Major Tyrell was instigating war against the Apaches. The Black Rider prevented a bloody war and Tyrell died under a hail of arrows. Back in Leadville, the Black Rider attended a dance with Marie Lathrop. asters was set in panic when he believed his secret identity was compromised by a local drunk who threatened to reveal his "secret". But it turned out the drunk was blind and the "big secret" was that Masters wasn't a drinker. When Marie's cousin Oscar Tippitt came to Leadville to work at the bank, the Black Rider exposed him as being the mastermind behind a robbery and, as Matthew Masters, stopped him from fleeing town with the stolen money. Shortly thereafter, Masters uncovered a plot between outlaw Flick Willis and the Leadville sheriff to rustle local cattle. When caught spying on the gang, Masters was forced to fake his own death. This gave him the opportunity to operate as the Black Rider; however the sheriff framed the hero for the murder of Matthew Masters. Turning himself in and forcing a fair trial, the Black Rider cleared his name and implicated Willis and the sheriff when convincing the judge to allow him to leave court and bring about Matthew Masters. Still, nobody in town thought that the two men were one and the same. Later, the Black Rider found himself caught in the middle of rising tensions between the Utabi and Shawmis tribes when Utabi warrior Crooked Knife tried to prevent the marriage between the Utabi's Pale Mist and the Shawmis' warrior Bright Eagle. When the Black Rider rescued Pale Mist, Crooked Knife united the two bands under the belief that the Black Rider had kidnapped her. However, the Black Rider exposed Crooked Knife's machinations and the renegade died under Bright Eagle's knife.[22] Tensions with another tribe of Natives and the people of Leadville were later instigated by a renegade warrior named Wolf Claw who attempted to start a war between his tribe and the US Army. The Black Rider foiled this attempt, once more saving the lives of Jim and Marie Lathrop who were Wolf Claw's prisoners.[23]

Frontier Doctor and Defender[]

Later on in his career, Matthew Masters became a frontier doctor, taking his medical practice and his adventures as the Black Rider outside of Leadville and across the untamed west.

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 12 001

The Black Rider traveled in time to La Muerto, 1554

While in New Mexico, the Black Rider was after the outlaw Juan de Lupo. The chase took him to the town of La Muerto where in 1554, de Lupo's ancestor hid gold before being wiped out by the local Native Americans. While hunting down de Lupo, the Black Rider encountered ghosts from that day reliving the historic battle. Later an earthquake destroyed the town, leaving the Black Rider the lone survivor and leaving him to wonder about the event. After a doctors' convention in St. Louis, Doc Masters returned to Leadville where he protected Miss Van Ryn from the men trying to kill her in order to claim her father's gold mine. While hunting down the Desalse gang, the Black Rider came to the aid of a travelling band of Mormons looking for a new place to settle by helping them gain acceptance in the town of Edgeville. While visiting his old friend Pitchfork Martin who had settled down into marriage, Black Rider and Martin relived their old days of adventure by capturing Laredo Larson. Back in Leadville, Doc Masters was framed for the murder of Sam Bragg, but as the Black Rider, he helped clear his own name.[24] Travelling to the Nagali village of Needle Pass, the Black Rider helped the Native American tribe liberate themselves from Ton Ransome and his gang. He later helped John Litch and his daughter reclaim the mine that was stolen from them by Branch Vegger. When outlaw Weed Meaghan murdered the sheriff of Brimstone City, the Black Rider chased him into the nearby Brimstone desert and caught the crook when he succumbed to the intense heat of the desert. In Kleinville, the Black Rider helps clear the name of the recently arrived French duke Jean de Grieux who was framed for various murders in town.[25]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 14 001

The Black Rider finds the secret of the mad Marquis de Lassus

While investigating disappearing travelers, the Black Rider investigated the Krug family who used their inn to murder and loot their visitors, bringing them to justice.[26] In Aspen Creek, the Black Rider helped the Marshall of Aspen Creek wipe out Lip Borger and his gang.[27] During his travels, the Black Rider discovered a colony built by French exile the Marquis de Lassus who ruled over his people with an iron fist, and helped liberate them. Without followers, the Marquis blew up his castle killing himself. He later stopped Rolf Helker's illegal logging near the Pukavi tribe, which was threatening to wipe the tribe out. Later, in the town of Yellow Bluff, the Black Rider stopped the robberies of the Great Forbish, a master of disguise. Travelling to Hot Strike, Nevada, the Black Rider uncovered an illegal mining operation organized by Al Hitkos and Native American chief Tall Toad, who forced Tall Toad's people into slavery to mine silver. With a strange illness being attributed to the mine, the Black Rider liberated the people and trapped Tall Toad and Hitkos inside. They perished by the illness, which unbeknownst to those at the time was radiation poisoning from the Uranium deposits in the mine as Uranium and its radioactive properties had not been discovered at that time.[28]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Lou Dade (Earth-616) from Wild Western Vol 1 16 001

The outlaw tigress Alamo Lou tried to seduce the Rider

While riding the rails, Doc Masters and the crew of the train were captured by Alamo Lou and her gang. Escaping and changing into the Black Rider, Masters was once more captured. Lou demanded that the Black Rider marry her, but he refused her advances. When one of Lou's gang members shot her in a fit of jealousy over her choosing the Black Rider over him, Lou's dying action was freeing the Rider and he gunned down the rest of her gang.[29] The Black Rider stopped the Comanche warrior Sly Wolf from taking over his father Running Deer's tribe by plying the other warriors' loyalty with alcohol bought from outlaws. Later the Black Rider went after Buckskin Baldy Morgan for murdering a deaf man for his gambling winnings. Baldy met his end drowning in quicksand while fleeing the Black Rider. The Rider also avoided the mutual killing of two Native American brothers, Orooka and Nadi-Ka who were fighting over a wolf pelt. Returning to Leadville after a long absence, the Black Rider exposed an outlaw named Spur and his gang who manipulated young Tim Varmus -- the son of a wealthy rancher whom they kidnapped years earlier -- into murdering his family so they could steal the family's wealth.[30] Travelling once more, the Black Rider came to the aid of ranchers being swindled by rustler Bronc Laswell.[31]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Nita Tyrez (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 16 001

The Black Rider pretended to be a sellout to infiltrate Tyrez's regime

The Black Rider received a letter written by Maria Juesto, asking for help against Manuel Tyrez the tyrant of the mexican town of Dinero. The Black Rider pretended to be a sellout to infiltrate Tyrez regime. Tyrez beautiful wife, Nita, fell in love with the Rider and began a series of murders that destabilized Tyrez's regime, but Tyrez killed her before dying by the wounds. Next, Dr Masters arrived to Bull Gulch, where Brick Edwards, blamed him the death of his father on Masters' surgery. As the Black Rider, he discovers that the outlaw Lath Reesy and his gang was hiding in town. They shot Edwards and tried to kill the Rider by hanging him in a tiny ledge in an abyss. Thanks to the arrival of the horse Satan, the Rider survived and killed the outlaws. Then, Dr Masters arrived to Slabside, Montana, where a series of killings were done by the supposed vengeful father of the Wiggams brothers (who had been executed for their crimes). The Rider discovered that the killer was the local Sheriff Bolton all along, who was killing the fellow shareholders of the local mine company. The Black Rider captured the killer, that was finally executed by hanging.[32] Riding into Colorado, the Black Rider stopped crooked US Marshall Nick Kelway from forcing the ranchers of Crippled Bend to pay tribute to him.[33]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616),Green Lizard (Earth-616) and Elle Janeway (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 17 001

The Black Rider confront the sioux warrior Green Lizard to save Elle Janeway

Next the Black Rider stopped the machinations of Sioux warrior Green Lizard, who kidnapped Elle Janeway and was attempting to force a war between the Sioux and Blackfoot tribes for his own ends. The Black Rider then stopped a range war started up by Carl Brasser. In the town of Tombstone, the Black Rider stopped the Patton gang from recovering stolen loot hidden on their late leader's body. After assisting a Native American tribe in stopping a white buffalo from plaguing them,[34] he stopped gold counterfeiter Tom Grayson who was disguising lead as gold.[35]

Again in the state of Montana, the Black Rider intervened in a war between the local Blackfoot tribe and the soldiers at Fort Noble that was instigated by John Thunderhead, a half-white half-Blackfoot scout who was discriminated against by both people. In September of 1875, the Black Rider rode to Locus Glen where he uncovered a counterfeit money scheme that was being proliferated by travelling actor Horace Hanslow. In Flat City, Wyoming, the Black Rider helped protect Amanda Beckwith who was being hunted down by her estranged husband Harland, who sought to kill her so he could claim her family inheritance.[36] Later, in his travels, the Black Rider crossed paths with the Doomsday Gang, who were trying to force the coach companies in Hope City out of business.[37] When the Black Rider, in his alter-ego of Matthew Masters, was forced to work for outlaw Ed Bates, he uncovered a plot by arms dealer Wreck Lasker to arm both his gang and a local tribe of Apaches so they would go to war against each other. This was all a plan to take control of vein of silver that was opened by a recent earthquake. Masters attempted to stop the outlaws as the Black Rider, but his job was completed by Mother Nature herself when another earthquake swallowed up all the combatants.[38]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Black Snake (Earth-616) from Western Outlaws and Sheriffs Vol 1 73 001

The Black Rider became involved in the revenge plan of the cheeroke chief Black Snake

Dr. Masters was involved in the unsolved murder of Proud Eagle, son of the Cherokee chief Black Snake, after the young native had won a great amount of money in a casino in Sicoti, Cherokee territory. Furious at the negligence of the local sheriff, Black Snake captured all the suspects of the murder (including Doc Masters) and told them that he had poisoned the food of the killer and only he had the antidote. The salesman Corbell confessed the crime and took the antidote. He tried to flee, but collapsed because the antidote was in reality poison.[39]

Return to Leadville[]

Eventually, Matthew Master's days as a travelling medicine man came to an end and he resumed his regular practice in the town of Leadville, Texas, reuniting with the Lathrop family.

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Hatchet Haines (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 19 001

The Black Rider defeated the impostor Hatchet Haines

No sooner was he back did trouble begin to return to the small town, starting with outlaw Hatchet Haines who briefly posed as the Black Rider to try and intimidate ranchers into selling their land to him cheaply. The real Black Rider slew Haines, and rescued his prisoner, Marie Lathrop while clearing his name. After treating a Comanche boy for rabies, the Black Rider soon stopped female stagecoach robber Lola Montace, rescuing Marie from danger once again.[40] The Black Rider also attended the murder trial of outlaw Salias Slade. When Slade was found guilty, his gang sprung him from the court house. The Black Rider followed them to Devil's Peak where he shot them all dead.[41] The Black Rider once again had his reputation tarnished when he was tricked into leading US Army soldiers into an ambush by Bush Kellem, landing the hero in jail. However, thanks to the help of Bobby Lathrop, the Black Rider managed to free himself and expose Kellem's plot. Travelling to Mexico, the Black Rider later liberated the town of Santo Del Oro from the crooked outlaw El Toro, then returned home where he helped a tribe of Comanches put a stop the bison poaching that was leading them to starvation.[42]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 21 001

The Black Rider confronts a black mountain lion in the middle of the rain

After stopping an outlaw named Carney,[43] the Black Rider next clashed with Whip Wade who terrorized the town of Leadville, particularly Marie Lathrop.[44] While investigating ghost sightings in the ghost town known as Doom's Road, the Black Rider uncovered that the "ghost" was really the Mad Messiah, a former resident who burned down the town, horribly burning himself in the process, and soon put the lunatic out of his misery.[45] Soon after, the Black Rider stopped a bank robbery in San Juan.[46] Returning to Leadville, the Black Rider rescued Bobby from Trigger Tracy and his gang after the boy witnessed a murder they committed. Next the masked hero went on the manhunt for outlaws Luke Gann and Hunk Dawson, but the pair were slain by a mountain lion while trying to flee justice. Later, when outlaws Shag Enoch and Jess Cantrell broke out of the Leadville jail, the Black Rider mobilized the locals to defend their town when the outlaws' gang stormed the city.[47] Always looking out for Bobby Lathrop, the Black Rider avenged the boy when a fired ranch hand shot his horse and the Black Rider slew the man and then tamed a brand new horse for Bobby, gifting it to the boy the next day.[48] Shortly thereafter, Deuce Dixon opened up a crooked gambling operation in town which the Black Rider exposed and shut down when Dixon made a failed attempt to frame the Rider for robbery.[49] In one of his more daring adventures, the Black Rider rode into the town of Bedlam during a tornado in order to clean out the outlaws that took over the place.[50]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 26 001

Alternate costume

The Black Rider did not always shoot first and ask questions later. He often helped those who fell off the beaten path, such as when he convinced Dan Royal that thieving in order to provide for his wife to be was not the way to go and convinced Royal to help take down his former gang before they could rob the Leadville bank. When Bobby let slip that he knew the Black Rider's identity, he became the prisoner of Trip Tomlin. When Bobby was roughed up too much, Tomlin captured Matthew Masters and Marie Lathrop to give the boy medical attention. Treated for his wounds, Bobby refused to reveal the Black Rider's identity with Masters in the room. When Tomlin let Masters leave, it ended up being his undoing as Masters changed into the Black Rider and killed the entire gang, preventing his secret from getting out. Later, the Black Rider helped Sheriff Vale of Salt Lick regain his reputation by helping him slay Tonto Kane and his gang.[51] When young Ted Kirk was framed for the murder of banker Lloyd Green, the Black Rider helped clear the boy's name by exposing the real killer, Brand Buley.[52] Later, the Black Rider came across a Comanche tribe on the brink of being wiped out by a plague; however their medicine man and chief Kun-Tan-Ho refused to allow him to help. The Black Rider was eventually forced to kill Kun-Tan-Ho, and, as Matthew Masters, cured the Comanches of their sickness.[53] Shortly thereafter the Black Rider helped liberate another tribe of Native Americans who were enslaved and forced to work a mine by a gang of outlaws, rescuing Marie in the process.[54]

Once more being the humanitarian, the Black Rider later convinced an outlaw named Ormond to go straight and return home to his son in Leadville. He also helped the repentant Lanny Kimball take down Bulldog Barnes, after Barnes betrayed him. In a slightly supernatural case, the Black Rider, with the help of Jim Lathrop, investigated the mysterious Black Gauntlet who the Rider reveals is really the supposedly executed Maynard Murrel. Having survived his execution, Murrel returned to murder those who sentenced him to death. The Black Rider succeeded in killing Murrel for good and planted him in the grave he avoided for 10 years[55] Later, while the trail of outlaw Trigger Yates, the Black Rider discovered the lost city of El Dorado. However, during his clash with Yates, the city was lost in an avalanche which took the life of Yates himself.[56] The Black Rider next assisted the soldiers of Fort Slocom defend their base by a band of Native Americans led by disgraced soldier Jack Marcy.[57]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Marie Lathrop (Earth-616) from Wild Western Vol 1 35 001

Dr. Masters inaction disappointed Marie Lathrop

During much of this time, Matthew Masters continued to win over the heart of Marie Lathrop. He was making progress after treating Jim Lathrop when he fell sick, but the progress soon nosedived when outlaw Blackie Thorp came to the Lathrop ranch to steal fresh horses. Matthew Masters was bound by his oath not to harm others while performing as a doctor and watched helplessly as Bobby was shot by Thorp who then fled. Although Bobby's wounds were superficial, Marie was furious at Masters for not doing anything about the situation. Masters changed into the Black Rider once again and got revenge against Blackie Thorp and his gang.[58]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Marie Lathrop (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 24 001

Marie Lathrop kissed Doc Masters for his bravery

Later while trying to stop the Caitlin gang, the Black Rider learned that sheriff Kirby's son was a member of the gang and helped the boy see the errors of his way and assisted the reunited family in stopping the gang. When the Black Rider failed to follow the gang known as the Legion of Death into the swamp where their hideout was, ironically enough it was his alter ego Matthew Masters who helped show the way. When the gang's leader was wounded, they kidnapped Masters and brought him to their cabin in the swamps blindfolded to treat their leader. Succeeding in his job, Masters was allowed to go free. Since his horse Ichabod memorized the way in and out of the swamp, Masters returned as the Black Rider and wiped out the entire gang. Matthew continued to lose the interest of Marie Lathrop when rival Dr. Stevens appeared in town and proved to be brave and daring unlike the meek Masters. However, when Bobby was wounded by cattle rustlers, Stevens did a hatchet job trying to fix the boy ending Marie's interest in him and sending her to seek Masters' aid. After Matthew treated Bobby's wound, he went after Stevens as the Black Rider and learned that he was a fraud who was also backing the rustlers and brought him to justice. Surprised, Marie kissed Doc Masters[59]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Mad Dog Murdock (Earth-616) from ild Western Vol 1 37 001

The Black Rider confronted the mysterious Specter of Doom

The Black Rider later came to the aid of a Paiute tribe that was faced with starvation thanks to wasteful hunters,[60] then put a stop to Jeremy Brass' protection racket in Leadville.[61] The Black Rider once again came to the aid of Bobby after the boy found some fools gold and he was captured by outlaws who thought he found the genuine article.[62] Later, he helped rescue rancher Jim Kane who was kidnapped by outlaws who hoped to hold him for ransom.[63] When Leadville was terrorized by the so called Specter of Doom, the Black Rider investigated and exposed the supposed "ghost" as outlaw Mad Dog Murdock, an outlaw the Black Rider seemingly killed a year earlier.[64] Not long after, the Black Rider helped cash strapped Judd Torrance by treating his ill son as Dr. Matthew Masters and recovering Torrance's stolen gold from the Mexican bandit known as El Tigre (Bandar Topez), liberating the Mexican town of Sonora in the process. Returning to Leadville, Matthew Masters ordered a shipment of a powerful poison to experiment with; however the poison fell into the hands of outlaw Shark Adams who threatened to poison Leadville's water supply. As the Black Rider, Masters stopped him and recovered the poison. Not long after, the conflicting morals of Matthew Master's double life came to the fore when he hunted down the Bragg gang. Seriously wounding Bull Bragg as the Black Rider, Masters was forced to treat him in his civilian identity. Masters struggled with the idea of killing a man -- even an outlaw -- he just saved as a doctor until Bull robbed the bank in Los Pintos, prompting the Black Rider to put Bull Braggs down like the dog he was.[65]

Returning to Leadville once more, the Black Rider helped rescue ranch owner Kim Benson and his son from outlaw Gus Seeley,[66] then captured cattle rustler Poison Polk before he could permanently blind Jim Lathrop and Sheriff Yarby before they could testify against him in court.[67] Once again, Masters began to question the conflicting morals created by his double identity when he came to the aid of miner Bill Desmond from the attack of the outlaw Tulsa Tighe. Tulsa forced Matthew Masters to give his men medical treatment. Hearing that Tulsa intended to murder Bill Desmond, Doc Masters went to prevent it as the Black Rider, ut he was ambushed by Tusla. In the fighting one of the bullets injured Desmond. The Black Rider suffered a great attack in his conscience and reputation. That night, Tulsa went into Masters' office poisoned and killed Desmond with arsenic. Masters blamed himself a willingly left town. However, he eventually investigated the two crime scenes and found the schemes of Tulsa.So he captured the outlaw and redeemed the image of both the Black Rider and Matthew Masters.[68] Later when the reformed criminal Brad Conway ran for mayor of Leadville, he was blackmailed by Lash Bellows who threatened to expose his criminal past until the Black Rider silenced him.[69] After the Black Rider ran Squid Sawyer and his minions out of town, they got revenge by unleashing a rabid dog in Leadville infecting many animals and locals with rabies. This greatly taxed Matthew Masters' medical abilities as he was out of the rabies vaccine. When a new shipment was stolen and held for ransom by Squid and his gang, the Black Rider slew the outlaw group and returned the vaccine to Leadville so his alter-ego could cure those infected.[70]

Next, the Black Rider helped clear the name of Red Fang, a Native American warrior who was framed for the murder of miner Ed Burrows. In Leadville, he cleared out a crooked gambler named Travers. When his friend Jim Lathrop was set to testify against Curly Adams and his gang, the Black Rider stopped the gang from terrorizing the Lathrop family and rescued Marie in the process.[71] Later, in the town of Quarry Gulch, the Black Rider came to the aid of US Marshall Ben Blade whose sudden onset of cataracts was hindering his ability to capture Drag Hamill and his gang.[72] Returning home again, the Black Rider came to the aid of banker Preston Wells and helped steer his son away from the life of an outlaw while capturing a gang of bank robbers.[73] Learning that outlaw Jack Grimes intended to blow up the rail bridge owned by the Golden Express Railroad, the Black Rider stopped the plot saving the lives of the passengers aboard the train, which included both Marie and Bobby Lathrop.[74] When outlaw Stinger Ray became smitten by Marie Lathrop, he kidnapped both Marie and Bobby in an attempt to force Jim to marry Marie off to him. However, like many who kidnapped Marie before him, the Black Rider foiled Stinger's plot and rescued his captured friends.[75]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Spider (Outlaw) (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 1 27 001

The Outlaw know as Spider died for the first time, only to revive and become a recurring foe of the Black Rider

The Black Rider joined the manhunt against an outlaw who called himself the Spider, helping Mexican authorities capture him. The Spider was seemingly executed, but unbeknownst to all, he had one of his men among the firing squad to insure that all the bullets in the guns were blank. Spider and his gang went on a pillaging spree, eventually heading toward Leadville. There, the Black Rider had rallied all the townspeople to face off against Spider and his gang. Trapping the outlaws in town by starting a ring a fire around it, the Black Rider took down the gang, and the Spider seemingly perished after falling into the flames.[76] However unknown to the Black Rider, the Spider had survived.[77] The town of Leadville was next targeted by the Lobo gang who unleashed trained wolves on the town. The Black Rider killed the wolves save one, having it lead him back to Lobo's hideout and shut down his operation. Later the Black Rider once again helped steer a young person away from a life of crime. This time it was the sheriff's son who was being influenced by an outlaw named Hutch.[76]

By this time, the Rider went to the Gilboa prison and found all the guards dead. The prison was burned down by a group of outlaws only known as the Legion of Death (different from the first Legion). They appeared like ghosts and attacked various towns across Texas, finally threatening Leadville. After treating a old prospector, Doc Masters discovered that Fort Gilboa was built upon an old mine and that the prisoners discovered it, killed the guards, turning them into the Legion. The Black Rider catched the outlaws in the mine and in the middle of the fight, it collapsed, killing the entire gang.[78]

Arrival of Sheriff Ben Yarby[]

Not long after this, Leadville elected a new sheriff named Ben Yarby, who was more competent that his predecessors. When Yarby's son fell ill, he was treated by Matthew Masters. When outlaw Ace Dacy stole the medicine needed to cure his son, Yarby was forced to allow him to opening a gambling house in Leadville. Masters, as the Black Rider, helped Yarby clear Dacy and his gang out of town after his son was treated. The Spider, having recovered from his last encounter with the Black Rider, resumed his reign of terror on Leadville. However his return was short lived, as the Spider fell to his death fighting the Black Rider on Old Ghost's Cliff. While trying to stop the Skinner gang from killing a herd of buffalo, their leader makes a connection between the Black Rider and Matthew Masters, when one of his men watched the Black Rider enter a barn and Masters exit. Skinner then captured Masters and Bobby Lathrop. Matthew convinced Skinner to let him go and bring the Black Rider to him, giving Masters the opportunity to change into his alter-ego and surprise Skinner and his men before they could set up a trap for him, saving Bobby's life.[77] Not long after this, the Black Rider steered yet another youngster -- this time Rad Malerk -- from a life of crime.[79]

Soon after, the Black Rider worked with Sheriff Yarby, and the Black Rider helped expose the owner of the Conde Coachlines Company as the leader of the gang robbing his own stage coaches. The Black Rider later investigated a recent rash of outlaws confessing to crimes that they did not commit. Using his medical skills as Dr. Matthew Masters and consulting a Native American medicine man, the Black Rider uncovered the fact that outlaw Trigger Tate was using a drug called Makuda to force other outlaws to confess to crimes he committed. The Black Rider brought Tate to justice with the help of Sheriff Yarby. Leadville was later targeted by dynamite wielding outlaw Blast Baxter and his gang. However, the Black Rider and Sheriff Yarby lured him into a trap, leading to Baxter's capture.[80] When the Black Rider discovered a tribe of Comanches that were infected with Cholera, it was his alter-ego of Matthew Masters who saved the day after applying his medical skills to help cure the epidemic.[81] Later in the town of Chisholm, the Black Rider helped the local sheriff clean up his town with the aid of his daughter. Back in Leadville, the Black Rider exposes Nate Oland, who legally purchased land in order to illegally hunt entire buffalo herds. The masked hero later came to the aid of rancher Brad Ralston, preventing Crusher Cabel and his gang from rustling his cattle.[82] The Black Rider once more came to the aid of the Lathrop family, when Jim's cattle were secretly being killed by Luke Halsey, a crooked gambler, who then attempted to swindle Jim out of all his money and force him to sell his ranch. The Black Rider arrived just as Jim lost it all, and revealed that Halsey had cheated and took him into custody.[83]

Later, the Black Rider's secret identity was once again compromised when Slasher Slade was broken out of prison. While on the manhunt, Slasher's men saw the Black Rider go into a forest and Matthew Masters emerge in order to see to Bobby Lathrop who had come down with a fever. Matthew and Marie were captured, and just as in the last instance, Masters convinced Slade to let him go and get the Black Rider, quickly changing into his alter-ego and catching the outlaws off guard before they could set a trap for him. Soon after, Matthew lost his medical license after the sudden death of Burt Wyatt, the star witness of the trial against outlaw Spur Cameron. Cameron was subsequently released and tried to rustle the Lathrop ranch. Wounded in the attack, Cameron holed up in the Lathrop home and held the family hostage. Instead of facing Cameron as the Black Rider, Masters confronted him as himself, only promising to patch up Spur if he confessed to murdering Burt Wyatt. Spur confessed, revealing that he had poisoned Wyatt's drinking water, and was easily captured in his wounded condition while Masters' medical license was reinstated. When the Leadville Bank was robbed, the Black Rider helped Sheriff Yarby investigate and they discovered that arrested bank robber Paso Jack had organized the gang from his own jail cell, having dug a secret tunnel to facilitate his crime and eventual escape.[84]

The Rider helped to solve a problem in a lumber camp.[85] Spike Clumber and his partner Kirby spread a dust in Cyclone Canyon which would be caught in the wind and irritate people's eyes. When a windstorm ran through Cyclone Canyon, it carried the dust into Leadville, rendering Sheriff Yarby almost unable to see. Spike and Kirby were ready to rob the town bank but the Black Rider had learned of their plan and chased them into the jail.[86] Then, the Black Rider caught the Skinner's gang that were attacking a stagecoach.[87] He also solved the murder of the old miner Spruce Miller.[88]

The Domino Mask[]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) from Black Rider Vol 2 1 001

The Black Rider used a domino mask.

For a short time, the Black Rider ditched his face mask and replaced it with a simple domino mask. After scaring away a rustler ganf, the Black Rider retold the story of his past to Bobby Lathrop. Soon, he was ambushed three times by a man called Barnett. Later, he treated him as Doc Masters. The mastermind of the ambushes, Durand, tried to kill the recovering Barnet and Marie Lathrop, but he was stopped at the last minute by the Black Rider. Then, he saw as a stagecoach was blown up in the Hangman's Bridge. The Black Rider went to recover the stolen gold and followed a suspicious man as Doc Masters. Despite the fact that the man discovered him, the Black Rider found the gang hideout, where the boss, Parrish, tried to collect the money that had been thrown away in the nearby river. The Rider quickly overpowered them and recovered the money.[4]

Then, the Black Rider saved Jim and Marie Lathrop from an attack of the Dan Basset’s gang. A posse was formed to capture the bandits, but they took advantage to attack Leadville. Doc Masters changed into the Black Rider and stopped them at the same bank that they tried to rob. [89] Soon after, the Waters' riders robbed the money collected for a school at a county fair. The Rider made the bandits flee and he promised Marie to recover the money. The bandits brought Doc Masters to cure Corwin, who was injured by one of the bullets from the Black Rider. They tried to flee, but the Black Rider caught to them, captured them, and recovered the school money, gaining approval from Marie as the Black Rider and Doc Masters.[90] One night, the Rider heard some shootings and pursued a hidden figure. The next day, Mr. Warren went to his office for a bullet injury, lying about the cause. The Black Rider discovered in the night that Warren was being blackmailed by a thug called Carver (to not reveal Warren's past as a felon), so he went to confront Carver, who fell into an abyss after he tried to escape. [91]

Later, a boy called Larry was shot, and the Black Rider brought him to his office, where he cured him as Doc Masters. Sheriff Ben Yarby had been called by the Black Rider earlier, and he informed Doc Masters that the boy had taken part in an assault by a gang against a stage near the Snake River. The Black Rider rescued Bob from the fury of the gang leader, Kincaid. He discovered that Larry only wanted to keep his older brother Bob out of the criminal life. The bandits were handed to the Sheriff Ben Yarby, with Bob vowing to renounce crime.[92]

A New Focus[]

Mathew Masters (Earth-616) from Black Rider Annual (BR) Vol 1 1958 001

The Black Rider was left amnesic by a fall and was convinced into robbing an stagecoach.

For a short time, the Black Rider team-up with a sidekick called Léo and went into some wandering in the West, fighting injustice. Both fought the outfit of Doc Watson and his gang, who pretended to be a new medic and to be kidnapped by the gang, making the local sheriff to search for him, but ambushing him and robbing the town at the same time. The Rider and Léo ambushed the bandits in a second attempt of robbing. Soon after he foiled a robbing, the Black Rider was tricked by Slim Jack into an ambush, and he falled from a bridge and lost his memory for a short time. Two small time bandits convinced him that he was part of their gang , and he helped to rob a stagecoach, As the Black Rider was recovering his memory, he was betrayed to Slim Jack, but he was saved at the last moment by his horse Satan, and then by a party of the local sheriff that was trying to capture the Rider. Then the Rider and Léo returned to a city that they had cleaned recently, but now they were rebuked by the sheriff and the population.After talking with the fearful milkman, Percy Farnol, they learned that Ned and his gang had taken the city. The Black Rider planned and executed a trap against Ned. Later the Black Rider and Léo defeated Mike Bolton, a strongman who become a respected man in a town by his knowledge and charisma, but was in reality a bandit leader.[93] After this short period, the Black Rider parted away with Leo.

Doc Smith (Earth-616) and Mathew Masters (Earth-616) from Black Rider (BR) Vol 1 79 001

The Black Rider dueled with Doc Smith

The Black Rider confronted the gang of the famous gunfighter, Doc Smith, but almost died trapped in quicksand until he was saved by the sheriff of Leadville, Tom Vayne. As the later was badly injured in the leg, the Rider replaced him in a duel with Doc Smith. The bandit proved to be faster with the gun than the Black Rider, but he got cocky and was defeated with a punch.[94] Then, the children of Mesa City unanimously elected yDoc Masters as provisional sheriff for 24 hours. Masters declined the guns of the local sheriff telling him that he would defend the city with only a book. When the gang of the bandit named 'Seda' attacked the city and vapture him with a whip, Masters used the book to escape. He changed into his alter ego and quickly defeated the bandits, one by one, being faster that their shootings.[95] After that, the Black Rider solved the continued robbing of stagecoaches across Leadville caused by Larry Sharty's gang, and he used special coloured bullets (created in his laboratory) to discover the real mastermind, Mr. Stanley owner of the robbed stagecoaches.[96] [97]

Marie Lathrop (Earth-616) and Mathew Masters (Earth-616) from Black Rider (BR) Vol 1 86 002

Marie Lathrop began to suspects that Doc Masters is the Black Rider

After some indeterminate time, Jake Martin's bandits assaulted Leadville's bank and were confronted by the Black Rider. The Rider captured them, but was injured. Marie and Bobby arrived at Dr. Masters house and discovered his injury in the leg. Marie heavily suspected that the doctor was the Black Rider and planned to discover the truth simulating an kidnapping. At the same time, the remaining bandits, leaded by "Shark", wanted to capture Dr. Masters to lure the Black Rider. One of the bandits, Bartley, discovered the fake kidnapping letter of Marie and captured her for real. Dr. Masters discovered the letter and uncovered her plot. He went to meet her, but was also captured by Shark's band. Bobby dressed up as the Rider and helped to rescue both and capture the bandits. Marie still was suspicious that Doc Master was the Black Rider.[98][99] Then, the Rider went to the city of White Rose to pursue two murderers. Inside the city, he uncovered a plot to smuggling mexican tequila throught mexican traders (who also entered illegally. The masterminds were the outlaw 'Trigger Joe' and a businessman called "Ramirez". The Rider stopped the smuggling, killing the culprits.[100] Then the Black Rider was ambushed by a Black mountain lion that he quickly shoot, and had to confront the gang of the bandit Max Tim, who shooted Jim and Bobby Lathrop, and made he look as a coward in Marie's eyes. Masters, as the Black Rider, quickly ended Max Tim.[101] In the middle of a wilderness, the Black Rider was called by the rancher Mendez to rescue his daughter Martha from some bandits who wanted to blackmail him into selling his ranch. The Rider succesfully rescued Martha and captured the kidnappers. [102]

Mathew Masters (Earth-616) and Handsome (Earth-616) from Black Rider (BR) Vol 1 98 001

The Black Rider had a fist fight with the murderous outlaw Handsome/Bonitao

Black Rider fought various outlaws, as Smile Jack but he was briefly captured by his gang.[103] Bill Mulligan, champion of shooting showmanship, had a public competition with the Black Rider to know who was the best shooter. Bearded Mickey tried to use the competition to do a robbing. Mulligan helped the Rider into capture of the bandit. [104] Soon after, Trigger John arrived to Leadville, supposedly reformed after his prison sentence. He was accused of comitting various robberies but he had always an alibi, involving even Dr. Masters. The Rider discovered his trick.[105] Then the Black Rider infiltrated the Willys ranch, seeking the truth behind the story of a masked man that he captured. There he meet José, the new owner of the ranch, who mistaken the Rider by the masked man that he had hired and welcome in his outfit ot robbing stagecoaches. The Black Rider meet the rightful heir to the ranch (Jack Willys) and captured José and his men.[106] Later he had a long fight with the outlaw nicknamed "Handsome"(Bonitao), who was the leader of a murderous gang that was plaguing Leadville.Some of"Handsome"'s men were were ranchers of the town and they used a poor drunk called Simon to forge the death of "Handsome". Despite that the Rider captured "Handsome", the outlaw escaped. The Black Rider uncovered the truth of the death of Simon and defeated the gang of "Handsome" with the help of his horse Satan.[107] One day, Doc Master was invited to the Lathrop ranch to eat with Marie and Bob. He offered to capture an old rober (Inacio) that were robbing the Lathrops' chicken. An old enemy of the Rider, Collen, escaped from prison and coerced Inacio to help with his revenge, Inacio faked repentance for his robbery and later kidnapped Bobby and burned the Lathrop ranch. The Rider confronted Collen, but the outlaw used Bobby as hostage, and forced both to go to a cave, where Collen wanted to shoot them, but there he was stopped by Joe Verruga, another of the Rider's enemies. The Black Rider took advantage of this opening to defeat and capture his foes. Inacio was forgiven and remained as a servant in the Lathrop's ranch.[108]

The Black Rider meet a young boy named Tim. He learned that Tim's father, Samuel, had been treacherously accused of robbery by the rancher Mike Steves.The Rider went to infiltrate Steves' ranch as a new cowboy. The rancher ordered his other employees to kill the Black Rider but all failed. Also Smuel escaped from prison. The Rider captured Ben, Steves's foreman and avoided a hostage taking, clearing Samuel's name.[109] Later, the Black Rider went to the nearby town of Rio Verde, where he helped Judge Willy and Reverend Curtys in collecting signatures for opening the territory to colonization. He also prevented the assault of the crooked indian agent Mack and his men against the coming settlers. [110] Then, the Rider tried stop the attacks of the sioux, so he talked with their chief Red Bear. He had to fight the sioux prince Black Bear to stop the war. The attacks had been caused by previous assaults of bandits that wanted to extract gold from the chief's territory. The Rider stopped them.[111] After that, a group of racketters called "Vigilantes" and leaded by Bud Masters 'Tronco' attacked many farmers from the town of Rio Verde, demanding "protection". The powerful landowner Ted Carson was behind the plot, and continued the attacks until the Black Rider arrived to the town and confronted the "Vigilantes" but he was left incapacitated after a blow from the head. Ted Carson offered the Rider to work for him, and when the hero refused, Carson ordered to carry him into the "Desert of Fire", and left him to die to the heath and the vultures. The Black Rider escaped, helped by a local prospector, and captured Carson's gang.[112]

A scientist expedition was seeking the treasury of the Cheyennes in the Ghost city, but its members were being killed by a unknown killer with daggers. Doc Masters joined the expedition to protect the scientists. When they arrive to the city, they were confronted by a mummy, that was defeated by the Rider. The city collapsed, killing the mummy and uncovering that he was in reality, the leading scientist Red Bax, who was also the secret killer.[113] Soon after, the Black Rider confronted the notorious killer Burt Gorilla who was tormenting the town of Villa Vieja. Gorilla captured him and Bobby and tried to kill the Rider with a clockwork bomb, but the hero escaped and fought with Gorilla, who at first overpowered him, but fell in a nearby abyss after a kick from Black Rider.[114] Then, the Black Rider pretended to be a experienced bandit to persuade an amateur robber, Pat, to leave the crime life and go straight, showing him the dangers and hardships of the life as criminal. Pat decided to became a sherriff and later he started a family. [115]

Then, Grant (sheriff of Leadville) was shot by a vengeful bandit called "Rattlesnake" Joe, because the sheriff had killed the bandit 's brother in a failed assault.Masters tried to save Grant but the sheriff died. So he, as the Black Rider, pursued "Rattlesnake" and his gang, even to the Mexican frontier, when Rattlesnake was briefly captured by the Apache.[116] Doc Masters was called to treat the injured rancher Larry Benson in a nearby town.He soon discovered an ongoing vendetta between Benson and other rancher called Martin, and both accused the other of stealing his cattle. The Black Rider went to investigate the situation and discovered that Bert, the main cowboy of Martin was the one who as stealing the cattle and wanted to wip out both ranchers. The Rider captured Bert and his gang, and establishe peace betwen families, with perspectives of a wedding between Larry Benson and Saly , the sister of Martin.[117] Then the Black Rider saved the miner Wates Anders and his daughter Mary from the blackmail of some masked outlaws that wanted to steal the secret mine that Wates had recently discovered.[118] Then Luthor, an outlaw captured by the Black Rider and Jim Lathrop, planned a revenge kidnapping Marie Lathrop, and using a trained gorilla to confront the Rider. The masked hero killed the gorilla, rescued Maried and stopped Luthor plan. [119]

When the prospector Josias Miller discovered a rich gold mine, a group of bandits planned to kill him, rob the gold and incriminate the Black Rider. They were leaded by the analist Bleck Raynes and they killed Miller, but they turned against each other, letting the Rider to capture Raynes.[120] Then the Rider stopped a violent struggle between cattlemen and newcomers that were farmers. He stopped a bunch of freed marmots and used his fame to make the foes to work together and survive a strong storm together. [121] The Black Rider was called to Villa Azul by his friend, sheriff Larry Batson. However, he quickly learned that Larry had been killed and that his brother Bill was the new sheriff. Bill was shown to be nervous and ineffective, and ask help to the Black Rider to learn to shoot and to avenge the death of his brother by the local outlaws leaded by Rusty. [122]

Wandering like a Gringo[]

Doc Masters begin to have adventures again far and far away from Leadville, becoming a wandering vigilante. He went to the town of Passo Creek to capture two fugitives from Santa Fe prison. Here he meet an old friend, Pepito, who talked about his hopes for a new opening in the local mine. But the two fugitives wanted to get ahead and take the gold for themselves, kicking Pepito who was in the mine, but it collapsed.The Black Rider wanted the rescue Pepito, but the miners didn't help him. The two fugitives caught the Rider, who had to escape using his fists, and later rescued Pepito.[123]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Patrik Logan (Earth-616) from Black Rider (BR) Vol 1 201 001

Black Rider admonishe Patrik Logan after the massacre in Gray Stone (Pedra Cinzenta)

Soon after, Dr Masters arrived to the town of Dourado, in the road to Abilene and witnessed the attack of the outlaw John Hubbard to Helen Carmody and the indian John. Masters transformed into the Black Rider and saved Helen, but the local sheriff didn't believe him, because of the sudden disappearance of both witnesses. John Hubbard escaped and soon kidnapped Helen and his brother, Dr Gary Carmody, forcing the Doctor to retract a testimony that he had given against his brother Burt Hubbard. The Black Rider defeated both brothers with his fists and rescued the hostages, leaving Helen Carmody in love with him.[124] The, Doc Masters went to Grey Stone (Pedra Cinzenta), where he meet Chico, who just had seen his wive Sara been killed by the Logan brothers, and his son kidnapped. Doc Masters promised justice and soon he infiltrated the Logan house. He changed into the Black Rider and rescued Chico's son. Then, he fought with the Logans, using dynamite that Chico gave to him. The dynamite killed two of the brothers, and the Black Rider killed another two (Jay and Dick) in the ensuing gunfight. At the end the Logan House burned in flames and Patrick Logan, father of the outlaws witnessed the disaster, lamenting his life of crime. [125] Immediately after, Dr Masters was robbed by a blonde girl called Kim, who wanted to take his horse to go to Quedas Altas and kill the gambler Lou Harrison in revenge for the suicide of her father. Doc Masters convinced her that he would carry her there. In the town, Kim was captured by Jerry, one of Harrison's friends, but both were again captured by a trio of outlaws. Doc Masters transformed into the Black Rider, looked for Kim and found both Harrison and her. Harrison claimed to have won in good faith against Kim's father and Kim couldn't shoot him. She also used her sleep pills to capture the outlaws.[126]

Then, the Black Rider searched for the Benton brothers, a group of notorious outlaws. However, the ex-outlaw Lee Stone was aheaded of him,killed the Bentons and rescued their prisoner, Lyndy Carr. The Black Rider was suspicious of Stone so he followed him and Carr to Abilene. Here, month passed until some old associates of Stone tried to made him return to his crime life. The Rider stopped the bandits and assured Stone that he would be free of his past.[127]

The Black Rider was worried about the continuous assaults of stagecoaches that went to Leadville. He had been named executor of the deceased Alfred Thompson, owner a stagecoach company. Since that the company was near bankrupt, the Rider himself was riding the stagecoaches. He defeated the gang of Tod Jackson, who pretended to be an honorable citizen. Finally, the Black Rider gave the company to the heir, the Thompson0s daughter, Patrice 'Pat' Thompson.[128]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Red Wolf (Earth-616) from Black Rider (BR) Vol 1 231 001

Black Rider fights the young Red Wolf

In the year 1877, The Black Rider was called to a house in a mountain valley by Richard Norton, a unscrupulous tycoon that wanted the Rider to capture Red Wolf, a supposed renegade indian that was fighting a guerrilla against the white colonists. But Norton planned to betray him and sent men to follow him. The Rider tracked Red Wolf and have a fight, trying to capture him. He was prevented into it by Red Wolf girlfriend, White Lily, who explained to the Rider the evil plans of Norton, who stole the land of Red Wolf's tribe. Black Rider decided to fight with Red Wolf and White Lily against Norton's men, defeating them and escaping.The Rider advised Red Wolf to flee north and made a new life with his girlfriend and the indian agreed.[129] Dr. Masters was in the road when he meet a woman called Selene Madox who was practicing shooting. She became annoying at his advances and questions and fleed. Masters decided to follow her as the Black Rider. Selene attacked some bandits, but she couldn't kill them all, so the Black Rider helped her. Selene told him her that she wanted to take revenge on the killers of her dead husband and the Rider decided to teach her in the art of shooting. Selene learned quickly and then she went to shoot the remaining bandits.The Rider and Selene killed the entire gang that passed in the desert. Selene flirted with the Rider, saying that she was grateful and now she would made a new life, marching by horse alongside the Black Rider.[130]

In the road to Lathrop's ranch, Doc Masters was attacked by a mountain lion and lost his horse. He was saved by Roy Colman, an government agent that was looking for the outlaw Alberto Altar(an old acquaintance of Masters). Masters agreed to help him as the Black Rider, but was appealed by Colman brutal killing of the members of Altar's gang. He learned that Alberto Altar had been falsely accused and saw that Colman still try to kill him, so he decided to follow his own sense justice and shoot Colman, saving Altar's life.[131]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Katy O'Neil (Earth-616) from Black Rider (BR) Vol 1 235 001

Black Rider is seen for last time fleeing into the horizon with the young exiled Katy O'Neil

In his last reported wandering, the Black Rider went into the Redstone Plains, When he was sleeping, he was attacked and robbed by a strange woman and his three companion wolves.The Rider put one of the wolves to flee and followed the trail of the woman, and captured her.She was turning blue and the Black Rider searched for a medic, because he lacked medical instruments. He arrived to the town of Redstone, followed by the woman's wolves. When the local medic saw her, he called her a witch. The doctor explained that the woman was named Katy O'Neil, she lived in the town three years before and had a eccentric uncle and was friend with a Big Wolf called Diablo. The Reverend Partney arrived to Redstone and ordered the killing of the wolf, but Mr. O'Neil didn't accept it. The reverend believed that Katy inherited witchery from his uncle and accused her of all the troubles of the town. The townspeople and the reverend tried to kill Katy, but her wolves and the Black Rider saved her. The rider and Katy fled the town and went into the horizon, hoping to find a place without fear and ignorance.[132]

Later Adventures[]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Helen Masters (Earth-616) from Marvel Westerns- Strange Westerns Starring the Black Rider Vol 1 1 001

The Black Rider killed his aunt Helen Masters after discovering her prostitution ring.

At some point, the Black Rider visited New York, following a lead on a case he was working on dealing with the enforced prostitution of Asian girls. The trail led him to Chinatown where he saw several of the girls arriving. A man known only as Yao was also trying to stop the prostitution ring and the pair soon worked together. Masters soon discovered that it was his Aunt Helen who was behind the prostitution ring, having inherited the business from her father, the Black Rider's grandfather. He discovered that this was why his father had moved westward in the first place, to track down his Chinese girlfriend whom his father had sent west to prostitute. When he catches his aunt, she claims that she will never face any consequences because she is rich. Masters then informed her that he thinks he has been crazy since the day he watched his father die in his arms for her sins and that he deals in justice, before shooting her to death.[6]

At one point in his medical career,(in the year 1880) Masters found the Masked Raider dying in a desert and tried to help him, taking off his mask unaware it was a magical artifact that was keeping him alive. On his deathbed The Raider told him that the masks creators were looking for it but that he should keep it for himself. Masters blamed himself for his death.[133]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Barbara Kane (Earth-616) from Cowboy Romances Vol 1 1 001

The Black Rider mastered Barbara Kane using a lash

In later times, Masters pretended to be an agricultural expert named "Oswald Garry" and helped a beautiful rancher named Barbara Kane with the lack of water in her lands. Masters and Barbara Kane became attracted to each other. Barbara stopped a fight between Masters and her head cowboy Red Mobley, telling Masters that she loved him. However, Masers denied Barbara and leave the ranch, telling her that he would be the one ordering her to love him. One day, when Barbara was lamenting in a rock, Masters returned and wrapped her with a lash. He asked Barbara to marry him. Barbara interpreted the proposal as a order and kissed him, thinking that she had met her master.[134]

Matthew Masters (Earth-616) and Dennis Piper (Earth-616) from Marvel Comics Vol 1 1000 001

An older Matthew Masters gave the Eternity Mask to the young vigilante Dennis Piper

Masters retired as a vigilante and lived until at least the 1930s. One day he found a thief named Dennis Piper breaking into his house. Finding out Dennis stole from the wealthy to give to those affected by the Great Depression, he recognized Dennis as someone that would fight against the powerful on behalf of the downtrodden and gave him his mask, the Eternity Mask, which he now understood was a magic mask that made the wearer the equal of their opponent. He then warned Piper not to give it back to the Scientists Guild.[135]

Later in life, Bobby Lathrop wrote a note about the Black Rider, revealing his secret identity and backstory,[1] but it wasn't widely available and his identity remained secret even in the Modern Age.[136]

Attributes

Powers

None

Abilities

The Black Rider was a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and one of the best gunfighters of the old west. In addition he was also a fine horseman.

Weaknesses

The Black Rider may or may not suffer from some sort of mental illness as he described himself as being crazy since the day he watched his father die.

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Eternity Mask (since 1880)

Weapons

Pistols, rifle.

Transportation

The Black Rider rode a horse named Ichabod

Notes

  • In Western Gunfighters (Vol. 2), the 1970s reprint book, the Black Rider's adventures were re-edited and he was renamed the "Black Mask."
  • There are some discrepancies between the origin story given in Western Winners #2 and later accounts in Black Rider #10 and Black Rider Rides Again #1. The later two accounts are very similar and are the own retelling of his origin by the Black Rider to Bobby Lathrop. Another account in Marvel Westerns: Strange Westerns Starring the Black Rider #1 change more details, and is the retelling done by the western hero to his aunt in New York. The account present here is the last one.
  • Brazilian publisher RGE had the license to publish Black Rider in the 1950. The hero was translated as "Cavaleiro Negro". His civilian identity was renamed as "Heron Robledo", and the normal shape of his horse was known as "Molenga" instead of Ichabod. When the american title ended, they created various new adventures for Black Rider (who was popular in Brazil) in the regular comic Black Rider (BR) (from issue #79), the annual Black Rider Annual (BR)(from annual #1960) and the specials Black Rider Special Edition (BR) and Black Rider Extra Edition (BR). The canonicity of this stories to Earth 616 hasn't been confirmed, but is likely. [137]
  • RGE also adapted some stories from the Western hero "Gringo"(From Selecciones Ilustradas) in the later issues of Black Rider (BR)/"Cavaleiro Negro", changing the images of the blonde Gringo with the Brunette Dr. Robledo/Cavaleiro Negro,since issue #198, alternating brazilian original stories and Gringo's adaptations. At the time it was a common occurrence for titles reprinted in Brazil. Stories of the western hero Durango Kid were already adapted to be Black Rider's ones in Black Rider Annual (BR) #1958.

See Also

Links and References

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Marvel Westerns Outlaw Files #1
  2. 2.0 2.1 All Winners #2
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Black Rider #10
  4. 4.0 4.1 Black Rider (Vol. 2) #1
  5. Black Rider (BR) #153
  6. 6.0 6.1 Marvel Westerns: Strange Westerns Starring the Black Rider #1
  7. Wild Western #5
  8. All Western Winners #3
  9. All Western Winners #4
  10. Best Western #58
  11. Western Winners #5
  12. Wild Western #8
  13. Best Western #59
  14. Rex Hart #6
  15. Two-Gun Kid #9
  16. Western Winners #6
  17. Wild Western #9
  18. Black Rider #8
  19. Black Rider #9
  20. Wild Western #11
  21. Wild Western #12
  22. Black Rider #11
  23. Wild Western #13
  24. Black Rider #12
  25. Black Rider #13
  26. Wild Western #14
  27. Wild Western #15
  28. Black Rider #14
  29. Wild Western #16
  30. Black Rider #15
  31. Wild Western #17
  32. Black Rider #16
  33. Wild Western #18
  34. Black Rider #17
  35. Wild Western #19
  36. Black Rider #18
  37. Two Gun Western #13
  38. Two Gun Western #14
  39. Western Outlaws and Sheriffs #73
  40. Black Rider #19
  41. Two-Gun Kid #11
  42. Black Rider #20
  43. Kid Colt Outlaw #33
  44. Kid Colt Outlaw #34
  45. Two-Gun Kid #12
  46. Wild Western #32
  47. Black Rider #21
  48. Kid Colt Outlaw #35
  49. Kid Colt Outlaw #36
  50. Wild Western #33
  51. Black Rider #22
  52. Kid Colt Outlaw #37
  53. Kid Colt Outlaw #38
  54. Wild Western #34
  55. Black Rider #23
  56. Kid Colt Outlaw #39
  57. Kid Colt Outlaw #40
  58. Wild Western #35
  59. Black Rider #24
  60. Outlaw Kid #1
  61. Wild Western #36
  62. Kid Colt Outlaw #41
  63. Ringo Kid #2
  64. Wild Western #37
  65. Black Rider #25
  66. Kid Colt Outlaw #42
  67. Outlaw Kid #2
  68. Wild Western #38
  69. Kid Colt Outlaw #43
  70. Wild Western #39
  71. Black Rider #26
  72. Kid Colt Outlaw #44
  73. Wild Western #40
  74. Kid Colt Outlaw #45
  75. Wild Western #41
  76. 76.0 76.1 Black Rider #27
  77. 77.0 77.1 Western Tales of Black Rider #28
  78. Wild Western #42
  79. Wild Western #43
  80. Western Tales of Black Rider #29
  81. Wild Western #44
  82. Western Tales of Black Rider #30
  83. Wild Western #45
  84. Western Tales of Black Rider #31
  85. Two Gun Western #5
  86. Wild Western #50
  87. Gunsmoke Western #36
  88. Kid Colt Outlaw #74
  89. Gunsmoke Western #47
  90. Gunsmoke Western #51
  91. Kid Colt Outlaw #86
  92. The Fast Gun (AU) #9
  93. Black Rider Annual (BR) #1958
  94. Black Rider (BR) #79
  95. Black Rider (BR) #80
  96. Black Rider (BR) #84
  97. Black Rider (BR) #113
  98. Black Rider (BR) #86
  99. Black Rider (BR) #114
  100. Black Rider (BR) #87
  101. Black Rider (BR) #88
  102. Black Rider Annual (BR) #1960
  103. Black Rider (BR) #91
  104. Black Rider (BR) #92
  105. Black Rider (BR) #93
  106. Black Rider (BR) #97
  107. Black Rider (BR) #98
  108. Black Rider (BR) #100
  109. Black Rider (BR) #102
  110. Black Rider (BR) #103
  111. Black Rider (BR) #107
  112. Black Rider (BR) #108
  113. Black Rider (BR) #110
  114. Black Rider (BR) #111
  115. Black Rider (BR) #115
  116. Black Rider (BR) #118
  117. Black Rider (BR) #120
  118. Black Rider (BR) #121
  119. Black Rider (BR) #123
  120. Black Rider (BR) #124
  121. Black Rider (BR) #125
  122. Black Rider (BR) #126
  123. Black Rider (BR) #198
  124. Black Rider (BR) #200
  125. Black Rider (BR) #201
  126. Black Rider (BR) #202
  127. Black Rider (BR) #203
  128. Black Rider (BR) #218
  129. Black Rider (BR) #231
  130. Black Rider (BR) #239
  131. Black Rider (BR) #243
  132. Black Rider (BR) #245
  133. Marvel Comics #1000 ; The Black Rider
  134. Cowboy Romances #1
  135. Marvel Comics #1000 ; Denis Piper's Last Heist
  136. Avengers: Forever #5
  137. http://www.marvunapp.com/ohotmu/appendixes/marveloverseassouthamerica.html#Brazil
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