Real Western Hero #74

Hopalong Cassidy tells the dramatic tale of how Twin River was founded when he led a group of flood-displaced settlers westward, only to face a ruthless outlaw tribe determined to drive them out. But years later, when the town commemorates that founding with a celebration, the real Indians return to settle an old score—and Hopalong must act fast to protect his friends from a massacre that's playing out under cover of historical reenactment.

Loco Lew tends bar in this quick comic western, substituting for the regular proprietor, when things take an absurd turn behind the counter. What starts as a simple shift becomes a showcase for the kind of slapstick mishap this half-page story is built around. It's a brief, lighthearted romp that leans hard into the humor.

Young Falcon has finally reclaimed his tribe's sacred totem from the renegade Blackmoon, but his escape on horseback takes a desperate turn when he encounters a wounded trapper left for dead on the trail. Forced to choose between his own survival and saving an innocent life, Young Falcon makes a choice that leaves him defenseless as Blackmoon's war party closes in, and now he faces capture at the edge of their camp with arrows drawn.

Monte Hale stumbles into a frontier town ruled with an iron fist by Judge Proctor, who uses his courtroom to shield outlaws and silence anyone who stands against him—including the young woman whose father was murdered by the Judge's hired guns. When the Judge threatens to exile Monte or jail him for contempt, Monte's curiosity and conscience override his rules, and he decides to investigate the corruption at the heart of Outlaw Town. But uncovering the Judge's schemes puts Monte squarely in the crosshairs of a deadly frame-up that will take courage, quick draw, and unexpected help to survive.

Gabby Hayes reluctantly joins a posse for quick cash after losing money meant for groceries, only to find himself the sole deputy assigned to capture the fearsome outlaw Horrible Harry. What follows is a wild clash between the wisecracking cowpoke and the brutal badman, where Gabby must rely on his wits—and his faithful horse Corker—to turn an impossible situation to his advantage.

When young Rogan's father loses everything in a ranch fire, Tom Mix offers him a chance to win prize money at the county fair horse race—but only if he can ride Son of Tony, Mix's prized thoroughbred. After saboteurs plant a burr under the saddle to injure the boy, Mix finds himself knocked out and hidden away, leaving the Rogans without a jockey and no way to compete. With time running out, Mix must escape his captors and make it to the racetrack to save the day.