A man in black who fights against injustice and oppression. A masked man who laughs in the face of his enemies, taunting them before dispatching them with great skill and ease. A man feared by evil. A common description for many pulp heroes of the 30s. But in this case it originates a decade early then even the Shadow’s appearance. At the birth of the first of the true pulp heroes, and the most famous, Zorro.
The creation of Johnston McCulley, Zorro first appeared upon the pages of the pulp magazine All-Story Weekly in 1919. The first story, The Cures of Capistrano, was serialized over five issues. Within a year it had been adapted to the silent screen for Douglas Fairbanks and the masked hero of old California had become world famous. McCulley would go on to write 60 more stories between 1922 and 1958. An interesting fact however is that these additional tales followed the movie version far closer than the original tale. Altering Zorro’s costume, personality, and even name to the film’s story. As for what inspired McCulley’s famous creation, he obviously shares traits with Robin Hood, and Joaquin Murrieta, the Mexican Robin Hood, was likely part of Zorro’s parentage as well.
So who is Zorro? Don Diego de la Vega, minus the de la in the original story, a rich Spanish nobleman living in colonial era California. He is seemingly a cowardly and uncoordinated spoiled noble with little care for the common people. In reality he is a master swordsman, a skilled tactician, an acrobat, and skilled horseman who hides these skills beneath the image of the foppish fool. Donning a mask and carrying both rapier and bullwhip he fought the corrupt Spanish military and government that so ruthlessly oppressed the people of California. And though a skilled combatant it was his mind that was his greatest weapon, and he favored mentally toying his opponents.
His identity is known only to a select few. Foremost are his loyal companion and servant Bernardo the deaf mute, though depending on the version this is sometimes a deception, and Friar Felipe who taught the young right from wrong and whose own fight against the oppression lead to Don Diego putting on the mask. Though lacking knowledge of his true identity the local caballeros, or noblemen, often help him as well. As does his father Don Alejandro Vega who leads these men, all the time wishing his son was more like the fabled Zorro.
Ranked against him are the military of the Spanish colonial government. Captain Ramon being his primary enemy with Sgt Pedro Gonzales acting as something of a comic foil and minor adversary through the tales.
The Fairbanks silent film in 1920 began a long tradition of Zorro on film. Over the years over 20 films have been made, along with multiple TV series, and several cartoon incarnations. He has also appeared in multiple comic series from various companies, though all were short lived. There has even been a play based on the character and several video games.
His influence on the pulp and super hero genres cannot be denied. Along with the Scarlet Pimpernel he is one of the earliest masked heroes to appear in literature. And he established the common tropes of the wealthy playboy type character who play up his cowardice or ineptitude to hide the great skill he possess as his masked alter ego. With Batman in particular his influence is worked directly into the origin, The Mark of Zorro being the film his parents took him to as a child the night they were murdered.
Finding the original stories is fairly easy as they have been collected and reprinted several times by various companies over the years. Most of the comics have also been reprinted n various collections for those who are interested. And several other authors have added to the characters mythos over the years with various novels and short stories. The most recent book of short stories being released by Moonstone Books.