Over the past several years it has become commonplace to bash Batman. However, this series of articles are not here for that. This is a love letter to his origins, his methods, and his endurability. And in a world consumed by flash over substance, his background is now more important than ever.
On August 9th, 1919, Johnston McCulley’s “The Curse of Capistrano” began appearing in All-Story Weekly. Appearing in five serialized parts, this was the debut of the masked avenger of California, El Zorro.
Established in the story as a disinterested, foppish, man of leisure, Don Diego was the secret identity that was to be the refinement and continuation of the concept created in the Scarlet Pimpernel series by Baroness Ozcry. His misleading behavior would become part of the stock template used by creators of comic book characters for years, especially Batman.
In the original stories, at the age of fifteen, Don Diego sees the injustice around him and decides to create the personality that would enable him to become a defender of the oppressed later in life. He studies people, and tactics and masters several weapons, notably the sword, and when the time is right takes on the mask, cape, and hat that would become the well-known visage of Zorro.
Douglas Fairbanks, and his wife, read the novel and fell in love with the character. Fairbanks and his spouse, Mary Pickford, decided on their honeymoon, that a film version of the novel, The Mark of Zorro, would be the debut film of their new studio, and Fairbanks produced, co-wrote, and starred in the film. Although McCulley had Zorro unmasked and give up the personage of Zorro at the end of the first story, the film was so popular, that McCulley wrote another sixty stories featuring Zorro.
Although El Zorro, The Fox, was given his nom de gurre by the citizens of Capistrano, later 1800’s Los Angeles, for his cunning and skill, the fox was never used as his symbol. However, the taking of a nocturnal animal as an alias is definitely a connection to Batman, and Bob Kane, co-creator of the Dark Knight has stated that Zorro was a definite inspiration for the Caped Crusader.
Along with their foppish behavior, easily bored demeanor, and seeming focus on subjects that entertain them for a moment, Don Diego and Bruce Wayne are also characters that use their wealth and position to help others. And over the years the connections between the two became even stronger. Over time Zorro has gained weighted costume pieces that enabled him in his war. The use of a cape as an additional tool when defending himself has become part of the character’s fighting style. Also, he gained some versions of his story, an underground lab, in addition to the lair he used to hide his costume and a loyal steed.
Zorro also had assistance from a partner that others believed they had an advantage over. In Don Diego’s case, it was mute or depending on the story deaf, a valet who acted as his eyes and helper in many instances, going as far as donning the mask of El Zorro to protect his friends’ identity.
Zorro, like Batman, has become a universally loved character, from the original serials to the latest films, Zorro has even inspired Japanese and Italian animated series, each with their own unique take on the character.
El Zorro’s connection to Batman has come further into focus over the past several years, especially with connections made by Frank Miller in his work on various Batman titles. The Dark Knight Returns (1986) and The Dark Knight Strikes Again (2001–2002) both include multiple Zorro references like Batman inscribing a Z on a defeated foe. In later tellings of Batman’s origins, Bruce Wayne’s parents are murdered by a robber as the family leaves a showing of the 1940 film The Mark of Zorro, starring Tyrone Power.
Although originally an inspiration for The BAtman, El Zorro has become a distinct ancestor and relative to the Dark Knight Detective. And it is a well-met connection, giving Bruce Wyne not only some of his personality points but also grounding him as a protector of his city, the mission to defend others keeps him from merely being a servant of vengeance.
Even with all of the modern accouterments of the cyber age, and the commonplace deception of social media, isn’t it interesting that the idea of a double life wasn’t started with an Instagram filter but with a well-educated and trained man of action deciding to help the helpless? And with the combative aspects of current culture, is it becoming time we may have to bring back El Zorro to take a stand.
