NanoSteps -- the brainstorming thread

[Bob Schroeck]

just because he can afford it doesn't mean it's not expensive. :p

Taking that seriously for the moment (yes, I see the emoticon), that's why he uses them. From the http://www.endeavorcomics.com/largent/ranger/faq.html]Lone Ranger FAQ:

Silver bullets reminded the Ranger how expensive firing a gun at a man was.

Oh, and also from the FAQ -- more about the mine and one of the built-in crossovers:

The Lone Ranger had a silver mine that he and his brother, Dan, had planned on using for their retirement. A retired Texas Ranger (who knew the Ranger's secret) agreed to work it for him and make the silver bullets. The Lone Ranger and Tonto would periodically visit the old Ranger and stock up on bullets and silver to use to buy goods. (This mine would be the basis of the fortune that built the Reid publishing empire in the Green Hornet.)

Although the Ranger never had an official first name, his last name is "Reid" because his brother's name was given in the original radio show as "Dan Reid"; Brit "The Green Hornet" Reid is the great-grandson of Dan Reid.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.