DC’s decision to finally release the complete Lansdale/Truman Jonah Hex spurred me on to write a history of the comics of Joe R. Lansdale (much like I previously did for Michael Moorcock). Titled “As Seen on the Rush Limbaugh Show: The Comics of Joe R. Lansdale,” the essay appeared as part of the regular Nexus Graphica column.
My reasoning behind the title lies with that back in the 90s, Rush Limbaugh attacked Lansdale and Truman’s Lone Ranger and Tonto comic.
On the August 17, 1995 episode of his TV series, conservative mouthpiece Rush Limbaugh held up a copy of Joe R. Lansdale and Tim Truman’s Lone Ranger and Tonto (Topps, 1995) graphic novel and chided their portrayal of an intelligent, independent Tonto as “political correctness.” In his typical, uninformed manner, Limbaugh didn’t even research the offending material (“I have far more productive things to do than read comic books.”) The creative duo would attract even more controversy in 1996.
I even included the video as proof of the event.
I won’t lie. The title was a blatant attempt to attract readers. (Really, isn’t that the purpose of every title?) Judging from the fact that the column has been shared all over the net, it may have worked. Course could be the subject material. I hear that Lansdale fella is mighty popular.