Rawhide Kid (comic book)

The Rawhide Kid is the name of a Marvel Comics Western character and the title of a comic book series featuring that character. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Rawhide Kid debuted in Rawhide Kid #1 (March 1955). The character's real name is Johnny Bart, and he is a young, skilled gunslinger operating in the American Old West. The comic initially presented fairly straightforward Western tales.

The series was later revived in 1960 with new numbering, continuing the original numbering from #17. This revival, primarily written by Larry Lieber, gradually shifted in tone, introducing more elements of superheroic action and adventure, though still set within the Western genre. Lieber's run established many of the defining characteristics of the Rawhide Kid, including his impressive gunfighting skills and his generally lighthearted, though occasionally troubled, personality.

Later, the character was re-imagined by writer John Ostrander and artist Leonardo Manco in a mature readers miniseries (2002-2003), which controversially implied a hidden homosexual subtext to the character. This miniseries sparked considerable debate and re-evaluation of the Rawhide Kid's place in comic book history.

Throughout his publication history, the Rawhide Kid has appeared in other Marvel titles, both Western and superhero-related, and remains a notable, albeit sometimes controversial, figure in Marvel's Western comic book legacy.