Series Overview

The Outlaw Kid was a series that re-branded the Texas Kid, another western character created by Joe Maneely. The origins of the two characters are identical right down both characters having the same civilian identity and supporting case. The only describable difference being the fact that in this series Lance Temple calls himself the Outlaw Kid and he wears a completely different outfit. The first issue also featured a story that introduced Belle Taylor, a love interest for Lance through the run of the series. By about issue #3 the Kid’s sidekicks Emilio Diaz and Red Hawk were phased out of the title. Although primarily featuring Outlaw Kid stories, the first two issues also featured the Black Rider as a backup feature. After that, all backup stories were one-off western stories.

Are the Texas Kid and Outlaw Kid the Same Guy? Is Any of This In Continuity? Will I Die Alone?

All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #8 features a profile on the Outlaw Kid which does not address the Texas Kid. Based on that, it would seem like not only is Marvel considering these two separate characters but there is no connection between the two. At the very least, the Outlaw Kid characters are considered part of Marvel Continuity. After his Atlas Comics run, the Outlaw Kid experienced a brief revival in the 70s with a second volume. It was mostly reprints of the original Atlas Era comics but featured a few original stories in the middle of its run. In particular, Outlaw Kid (Vol. 2) #10 presented a very different origin story. The character later made an appearance in the Blaze of Glory limited series.

Blaze of Glory and Apache Skies both go out to say that old Timely/Atlas era western stories are “dime store novel” adaptations of the “real” exploits of Marvel’s western heroes as a way of working around contradictions, historical inaccuracies, and more problematic elements of these old titles. This certainly goes to explain the two different origins presented in Outlaw Kid #1 and Outlaw Kid (Vol. 2) #10. It may also go on to explain the Texas Kid stories. Maybe the Outlaw Kid operated as both the Outlaw Kid and the Texas Kid, changing his identity — or he was always the Outlaw Kid and the early “dime novel” stories changed his name to the Texas Kid to make the character sound more exciting and dynamic (this is not outlandish as this was the same in-universe rationale used about World War II era comics in Young Allies: 70th Anniversary Special and All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes as well as the 50s era exploits of Bob Grayson in Marvel Boy: The Uranian.)

Also, yes, you will die alone.

Series Index