Zorro's Shadow: How a Mexican Legend Became America's First Superhero

by Stephen J.C. Andes

"SADDLE UP! Andes takes us on an exhilarating, dust-kicking ride through the actual origins and history of the first hemispheric Latinx Zorro." —Frederick Luis Aldama, editor of Tales from la A Latinx Zorro's Shadow explores the masked character's Latinx origins and his impact on pop culture—the inspiration for the most iconic superheroes we know today. Long before Superman or Batman made their first appearances, there was Zorro. Born on the pages of the pulps in 1919, Zorro fenced his way through the American popular imagination, carving his signature letter Z into the flesh of evildoers in Old Spanish California. Zorro is the original caped crusader, the first masked avenger, and the character who laid the blueprint for the modern American superhero. Historian and Latin American studies expert Stephen J. C. Andes unmasks the legends behind Zorro, showing that the origins of America's first superhero lie in Latinx history and experience. Revealing the length of Zorro's shadow over the superhero genre is a reclamation of the legend of Zorro for a multiethnic and multicultural America.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Pulp, Social

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2020

Reviews

[3 no 7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Zorro’s Shadow” is a first person journey to find the origins of Zorro, the prototype of the superheroes who followed. It explores the fact and fiction surrounding “Zorro” the righter of wrongs, the enemy of the corrupt, and the champion of justice for all in old Spanish California. Zorro entered popular culture in 1957 in the Disney series, but Don Diego de la Vega, Zorro, The Fox, first appeared in 1919 in “The Curse of Capistrano” by Johnson McCulley. Print copies of Zorro books are difficult to access, and when studying California history in fourth grade, those interested in Zorro have to read the library’s copy in the research room rather than checking it out because so many previous copies have been “borrowed” and never returned.

Andes explores Zorro as the model for superheroes that follow. Zorro has no super power, no accidental acquisition of unhuman strength, no escape from outer space, and yet Zorro’s story is that of a true super hero, incorporating multiple cultures, regional conflicts, fighters for the underdog, independent determination, and above all justice. He shifts back and forth in his role as an unassuming common person to that of a resourceful avenger of the oppressed.

“Zorro’s Shadow” reintroduces Zorro to a multicultural America, looking at this prototype of today’s superheroes through fresh eyes and uncovering both the literary world of Zorro, and the historic facts upon which he is based. I received a review copy of “Zorro’s Shadow” from Stephen J.C. Andes and Chicago Review Press. It is an enlightening look into using fiction to tell the truth of historic tragedies.

[Jeffrey Mariotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zorro's Shadow is the history I've been waiting for all my life, without even knowing it. Disney's Zorro hit the airwaves when I was two years old, and only stayed on the air for two years, but lived on in reruns, and it was those I saw as a child, those that formed my lasting impression of Zorro in particular, and superheroes in general.

Fast forward through my life: in 1961, my family moved to Paris, France. There, in the shop of a Russian barber who catered only to American military and Defense Department clientele, I first encountered comic books. I was already a Roy Rogers fan, so seeing Roy on the cover of a comic drew me in. I'm pretty sure there were Dell Zorro comics in the mix, as well. By 1966, my comics fandom had grown, and when the Batman TV series hit the air, I was more than ready (the only comic I've ever subscribed to was Detective Comics--featuring Batman--in that era. I have an autographed photo of Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin on my office wall to this day).

Fast forward again, to 1973, when I moved to California's Bay Area. On frequent forays into the state's Gold Country, I became fascinated with Gold Rush-era bandit Joaquin Murrieta and bought the first of many books about him. And in college there (like Britt Lomond/Capitan Monstario), I studied fencing under a U.S. Olympics coach. Then jump ahead to 1980, when I became a bookseller, and 1988, when my first short story was published, and then 1993, when I entered the comic book business professionally at WildStorm Productions/Image Comics--where I wrote comics as well as helping to publish them, including my first original series, Hazard, which was the first major U.S. comics gig for a Filipino artist named Roy Allen Martinez. And then to 1999, when DC Comics (home of Batman!) bought the company and I became an editor. We'll stop the tour in 2008, when I got to write the short story that leads off the anthology Tales of Zorro, and in the process got to meet Guy Williams, Jr. and to carve some Zs in the air with one of his father's screen swords.

None of which is about this fascinating book by historian Stephen Andes--but at the same time, ALL of that is about the book, because threads of my story are (unknown to Andes, of course) woven throughout the book. If you, dear reader, have grown up with Zorro, you'll find your own threads. Whether your Zorro is Fairbanks or Powers or Williams or Banderas, or to be found in the pulps or the comics or the lyrical novel of Isabel Allende, he's discussed here.

Andes takes us through the character's creation, and the self-creation of his original author, Johnston McCulley. He explores in detail Zorro's Latinx roots, and discusses the reasons for Zorro's Americanization at different stages of his development. It's serious history, but it's told through the eyes of a fan, a fellow nerd. It's never dry, never pedantic and plodding, but as lively and engaging as Zorro himself.

As in all the best books, you'll find yourself learning things you never knew, things you wish you'd always known. You'll marvel at some turns of phrase, you'll laugh out loud, and you'll come away with a fuller, deeper understanding of one of the most compelling, lasting, influential pop culture creations of all time. Zorro's Shadow is highly recommended--especially for nerds, but not exclusively for them. You should read it.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Zorro's Shadow is a thorough examination of the Zorro myth: from historical origins to comics, books, tv shows, and movies. As well, a thorough dissection of culture and myth, superhero origins and latinx whitewashing can be found throughout. The author takes an easy conversational tone that is neither dry nor boring. But at the same time, he did have a tendency to go off on a lot of meaningless tangents that added nothing to the story he was telling.

The first quarter of the book attempts to track down the origin of the legend - was it rebel/outlaw Joaquin Murrieta? Or was it Irish Spanish adventurer William Lamport? Author Andes takes great pains to thoroughly investigate both leads but ultimately (and frustratingly) comes up with very little. I found this first section so frustrating and full of odd musings and pointless journeys that I put the book down and didn't pick it up again for several weeks.

The rest of the book is far more interesting: a dissection of the various media that have featured Zorro, from the first Zorro story called The Curse of Capistrano to 2005's Antonio Banderas movie, The Legend of Zorro. You'll get to know about the pulp author who created Zorro (and his notorious life) before travelling from his grave in Glendale to Hollywoodtown and Douglas Fairbanks assuming the role in movies. From there, Disney gave us Guy Williams and the comics picked up the mantle.

Throughout the historical facts are cultural/political/opinion /observations/discussions such as the white-washing of Zorro (e.g., The Lone Ranger). Discussions of how important Zorro became to the Latinx culture yet how rarely Zorro movies had actual Latinx actors in there is also covered. But I think the true discussion throughout is that Zorro is the inspiration for superheroes to come: Batman, etc.

So while it is a conversational read, it is also a frustrating one. The number of times the author says something to the point of "but I digress" can get annoying fast. Do we need to know the history of the Glendale Forest Lawn mortuary park where the first Zorro pulp author is buried? Do we really want to read about the author's vacation to Mexico City where he talked with a security guard at a statue as to whether Zorro was real? Honestly, I just wanted him to get to the point. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Haley The Caffeinated Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 Rounded up. A lot of fascinating history but I feel the last couple of chapters go a bit too in-depth in things that sort of segue off Zorro which isn't a bad thing, I just wasn't as interested, though there was still a lot of fun/good information in those last couple of chapters.

Huge Zorro fan, was intrigued by the idea behind this book, and overall, was super glad I read it!

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked up this book, I thought I was going to get some interesting background on the origins of Zorro, maybe a good discussion topic for the next cocktail party I attended (“Did you know America’s first superhero was Mexcian?”), and fun trivia with which to amaze my friends. And it definitely satisfied those expectations. What I did not expect was the depth of inquiry into USAmerican national identity that Zorro’s Shadow plumbs. I did not expect an education in 19th century Mexican-American history and the creation of the genteel, Spanish-Colonial Californian mythos. I did not expect to learn sordid details about the real-life creator of Zorro, Johnston McCulley’s, life, and to wrestle with the question “what do we do with great creative work made by very flawed men?” I did not expect to dive into Hollywood’s earliest days and discover unsettling connections between superhero vigilantism and the KKK. In short, I did not expect this book to send me, again and again, into deep thought and new insight on questions of culture, race, and identity. Zorro’s Shadow is definitely a “come for the geeky details, stay for the powerful insight” kind of book. Would recommend!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway!

There's something very American about Zorro - my grandfather grew up watching the TV Series and I grew up knowing Zorro as Antonio Banderas. It shouldn't surprise me that Zorro became very white-washed, but at least this book provides a great unraveling of the origins of the famous character. I learned so much about Mexican-American history while reading this book! It can get bogged down by some minutiae of the character's history, but really where this book shines is where Andes highlights the beauty of diversity in American culture. Diversity gave us superheroes, has made America into what it is today, and is something to be celebrated. I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but it has definitely become one of the best non-fiction books I've read in 2020. There's something in here for everyone - from the lovers of Zorro, to those studying Latinx culture, to those who just love comics.

[Amelia Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was so much more than I expected. A 100 year journey of the origins or suspected origins of Zorro and all who want to lay claim to him. There is a lot of interesting California history in this novel that touches all groups of people who’ve lived here from the beginning to modern day times. I read this on a whim and glad I did. I feel like I traveled through time and learned a lot about my people as well as Zorro and many other superhero origins as well.

[John Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather interesting book of how Zorro, became a hero to both Mexicans and the USA. The author takes on an interesting trip to discover if there was a real Zorro, finally settling on Joaquin Murrieta (spelling of his name varies), himself maybe real maybe a myth. Zorro was the first superhero, no doubt, beating Superman, Batman and all the other superheroes. Closest to Zorro in age seems the Lone Ranger.
Nevertheless, Zorro came to fame by one Johnston McCulley, who in 1919 wrote the first Zorro story. Who has an interesting story of his own. Book took off and of course then to the fledgling
world for motion pictures.
Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. was picked as Zorro and the character took off. After several movies including one with Tyrone Power, our hero took a path that would eventually make him famous for the baby-boy generation when Walt Disney selected Guy Williams to play Zorro. Sadly the show only lasted wo seasons. You'll have to read the reasons why.
Zorro went away until the Antonio Banderas resurrected the character in two movies in the 1990's,
Even today Zorro is mostly forgotten, although the author claims he will make a comeback.
There some discussion about the fact that Zorro in the movies has been played by a white man (or a woman) and never by a Latin American actor. Also there is some debate about how certain people have been treated in the movies. But with the comeback this most definitely change.
Anyway and very interesting book

[Travis Salas-Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of really interesting and important history in this book. I enjoyed the concept, but i think it could have used one more pass by an editor. There were some times when the author seemed to switch thoughts midstream and then didn't really come back to them for a long time, if he did at all. Overall, i enjoyed the book. But those interested in reading it should beware that it isn't the most fluid read.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the first couple chapters, speculating about the origin of the Zorro legend, to be fascinating. The rest was more old Hollywood focuses, which is less interesting to me. I think this would have been better as a series of essays instead of trying to keep a narrative flow. Andes is clearly a superhero nerd who was happy to geek out about Zorro, and for that I was right there with him. This was not necessarily a bad book, just not a book for me.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting if you follow superheroes, used to watch Disney in the 50s or 60s and love Zorro, as I do. I only read the chapters that piqued my interest and enjoyed them. Some of it read like a thesis and I lost interest in those parts.

[Leonard · Rating 2 out of 5]

To me, it felt like the author was stretching at points. I like a bit of history on the character, and yes Bob Kane had come out and said that Zorro was an inspiration for Batman, but still...

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it. It’s a bit dry but lots of good information on the origins through recent history of Zorro.

[Austin Wrathall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartfelt biography of the Zorro mythos and a must-read for diehard Zorro fans. In it, Andes chronicles his quest to prove that the modern superhero genre owes its success to Latin American folklore and that Zorro was the link between the two. The end result is a fun and fascinating study of an underrated American superhero.

It's easy to see that Andes is a Zorro expert. He seems to have read and/or watched every iteration of the character from pulp novels to silent films to live shows. He also seems to have gone to great lengths to uncover the history behind the character. He describes a pilgrimage he took through Mexico and California to learn the truth behind the Joaquín Murrieta legend, Johnston McCulley's writings, and Zorro's influence on modern superhero stories. Andes leaves no stone unturned and you can feel his passion for his quest in every line.

The only flaw in the book is Andes's overconfidence in his thesis. At times he seems so determined to prove that white superheroes owe their existence to a Latinx legend, that he doesn't give counterclaims their full due. For example, while Andes makes a convincing argument that Zorro wasn't based on the Scarlet Pimpernel, he fails to prove that modern superheroes owe more to Zorro/Murrieta than they do to the Pimpernel. He makes a convincing argument that Zorro drew inspiration from the legend of Joaquín Murrieta, but fails to prove that Murrieta was the character that influenced Zorro most. Andes may be right to say that without Joaquín Murrieta there'd be no Batman, Superman, etc., but his case isn't as rock solid as he seems to believe. If Andes added a pinch more humility to his rhetoric, the book would be pitch perfect.

Overall, this was an extremely enjoyable journey through pop culture history that deepened my appreciation for one of my favorite characters.

[Robert Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zorro has been with us for well over 100 years. This masked avenger of Spanish California predates Superman, Batman and other comic book superheroes, as well as popular pulp magazine crime busters such as the Shadow, the Spider and Doc Savage. Yet, his roots run deep, as author/creator Johnston McCulley found influences in the romantic adventure stories of Alexander Dumas and Sir Walter Scott, among others, and the Scarlet Pimpernel stories of Baroness Emmuska Orczy. McCulley also tapped into a contemporary “Spanish fantasy heritage” trend - one in which filmmakers, authors, architects and others celebrated a romantic myth of California life under Spanish rule, circa the late 18th and early 19th centuries and prior to Mexican independence. Finally, there’s the noted similarity of the Zorro myth with the legend of Joaquin Murrieta, a Mexican bandit who purportedly operated in California in the mid-1800s, shortly after its acquisition by the United States.

There’s a lot to unpack, and author Stephen J.C. Andes proves more than game. I enjoyed Andes’ storytelling sensibilities, as he essentially invites the reader on a journey. He relates visits to relevant sites in Mexico, California and elsewhere, weaving these accounts into the narrative of Zorro’s origins and history. His tone is informal and relaxed, and as a Gen Xer, I chuckled at his casual use of Millenial slang (At one point, he references an actor’s “baller” performance as Zorro.). Don’t be fooled by the informality, though: Andes did his research, and he delivers the goods.

First, he provides backstories on two possible real life “Zorros”: William Lamport, an Irish revolutionary executed in Mexico in 1659, and the aforementioned Murrieta. For the purposes of this narrative, the legends about each prove more enlightening than real history, a point that Andes acknowledges. Of the two figures, Andes places greater importance on Murrieta, who, in real life, probably either didn’t exist or was often conflated with other bandits named “Joaquin” (It’s complicated.). The Murrieta legend, however, includes a California setting in a time close to that of the Zorro stories.

Andes never produces evidence that Johnston McCulley knew of the Murrieta legend. Further, he acknowledges that many Murrieta tropes exist also in the works of Dumas and Scott. That said, I agree that Andes’ examination of Murrieta is appropriate. First, it seems unlikely that McCulley WOULDN’T have known of the Murrieta tales, given his interest in California history and penchant for romantic fiction. Second, as Andes demonstrates, the Murrieta legend speaks to how the Zorro stories have whitewashed North American history.

Andes goes into some detail on this point, and I found his observations quite interesting. He notes, for example, that U.S. citizens are the villains in the Murrieta legend. He argues that the Spanish California setting of Zorro effectively takes the U.S. out of the equation and even arguably exonerates it for acquiring California by conquest: If Spanish Californians were so noble, after all, then perhaps Mexico mismanaged the area. Andes demonstrates how the upper class Spanish Californians in Zorro stories often functioned as stand-ins for modern day American whites, while Mexican lower class characters tended to be less positively portrayed. He also examines how such portrayals changed over time (He explains, for example, how Hollywood consciously courted Mexican audiences while war raged in Europe, resulting in a relatively more sensitive portrayal of Mexican characters in the 1940 MARK OF ZORRO film.).

Such analysis often proves more enthralling than the history of the Zorro character, but Andes gives us plenty of the latter, as well. He doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, either, as demonstrated by his presentation on Johnston McCulley, a convicted rapist and one-time bigamist. Andes surveys McCulley’s life, and of course, Zorro’s various screen incarnations - from the 1920 Douglas Fairbanks silent film (Andes goes into some length on Fairbanks’ influence on Zorro’s subsequent portrayals and popularity.) to various Republic serials to the 1940 Tyrone Power movie, the 1950s Disney series with Guy Williams, the Guy Hamilton comedy ZORRO THE GAY BLADE, the 1990s Antonio Banderas film and more. It’s arguable, I think, whether Zorro is truly “America’s first superhero,” but one certainly can’t deny the character’s influence on the superhero genre or on American culture.

ZORRO’S SHADOW is, then, not a traditional history of a fictional character. A more traditional history, however, could never be so engaging or enlightening. Andes taught me quite a bit and gave me some food for thought - and he accomplished it all with an engaging and informal style. I’m quite happy that I read this book.

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book years ago and have had this on my shelf since then. I decided I wanted to go back and finally take this off and thought it would be a nice change of book. There's Batman, the Zorro movies with Antonio Banderas, etc. but I did not know the story behind the legend.

Author Andes takes the reader behind the legend, from the historical origins to the modern day pop culture appearances. Was he real? What were his origins? What about the white washing (See Anthony Hopkins playing the first Zorro and his daughter being played by another Welch person, Catherine Zeta-Jones, etc.). How did we get to the Zorro portrayals and heroes in his mold like Batman?

I'll admit it, I was really bored. I did not think this was very good and really did need more editing. The topic in itself is really fascinating: as someone who would really only know Zorro through the Banderas movies, it definitely made me think. I knew there was already some eyebrows at Anthony Hopkins playing the first Zorro of those films and then chatter about CZJ of being Welsh when many assumed she was Spanish, etc. But I did not know much about the actual history or the legend.

This would have either made for a better series of long magazine reads or better sets of essays rather than trying to force it into a book without better editing and/or expansion on some aspects (like why modern day portrayals have issues, etc.). It might not be bad to have as a reference, though.

I bought this and didn't mind since it was going to take forever but I would have preferred a library borrow and do think it is ultimately skippable.

[Kilewy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Andes has taken the history of Zorro, one of the great icons of the twentieth century, and distilled his story and exhaustive research into a wildly entertaining journey. Far from an ordinary history text or character tribute, the book follows the author’s personal journey of discovery as he uncovers each real-life figure that helped inspire the creation of the masked bandit. From the exploits of Spring-heel Jack to a disembodied head traveling through the mail, Andes leaves no stone unturned in his quest for the first superhero on the continent. Just in time for the original caped crusader’s 100th anniversary, you owe yourself a look through this fun and fascinating ride. Even if you are only familiar with Zorro’s trademark Z, it would be hard not to find something to love in this book.
If you enjoyed this work and are looking for another read by Andes, I also recommend The Mysterious Sofia. Although a bit denser than the Zorro book, it demonstrates the same mix of history and personal journey as Andes tracks down the life of one of the most influential women in Catholicism that no one knows.
Either way, if there’s a Zorro fan in your life, this is an easy get.

[Kilewy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Andes has taken the history of Zorro, one of the great icons of the twentieth century, and distilled his story and exhaustive research into a wildly entertaining journey. Far from an ordinary history text or character tribute, the book follows the author’s personal journey of discovery as he uncovers each real-life figure that helped inspire the creation of the masked bandit. From the exploits of Spring-heel Jack to a disembodied head traveling through the mail, Andes leaves no stone unturned in his quest for the first superhero on the continent. Just in time for the original caped crusader’s 100th anniversary, you owe yourself a look through this fun and fascinating ride. Even if you are only familiar with Zorro’s trademark Z, it would be hard not to find something to love in this book.
If you enjoyed this work and are looking for another read by Andes, I also recommend The Mysterious Sofia. Although a bit denser than the Zorro book, it demonstrates the same mix of history and personal journey as Andes tracks down the life of one of the most influential women in Catholicism that no one knows.
Either way, if there’s a Zorro fan in your life, this is an easy get.

[Gonzalo Oyanedel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunque el texto rezuma el entusiasmo del autor hacia su postulado - extrañándose a ratos un enfoque más objetivo -, su esmerado viaje hasta las raíces que alimentaron al héroe pulp de Johnston McCulley no solo enfatizan su innegable herencia latina (más allá de la fantasía hispana y encarnada principalmente por el legendario bandido Joaquín Murrieta), sino que también reconocen el aporte del cine, la televisión, las nuevas novelas y la historieta en la construcción del personaje que se revela como un mestizo cultural y mediático; heredero de una evolución social y multimedial acorde a la realidad americana cuya proclama por igualdad y justicia es - pese a la pretensión estadounidense - común a nuestros pueblos. Se echó de menos eso sí una mención a "The New Adventures of Zorro" (1981), estupendo serial animado realizado por Filmation.

[Marcelo Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book not only contains everything that went into the unintended pop culture icon of Zorro, but it contains a large segment of information that ultimately has no relevance to Zorro, (here I name the chapter devoted to Don Guillen de Lampart.)

The book reads like a sequence of independent essays linked by common theme, which isn't a bad thing. Certain chapters are more interesting than others and later chapters divulge the author's intention to make known that he has in fact scene all the Zorro movies and will tell you the plot of all of them.

Overall, it's a readable history of the legend that will appeal to aficionados of Zorro and not many others.

[R. K. Saenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up on the star review. Andes tends to repeat himself a lot (to be fair, he's writing for a white audience about a lot of non-white history), and I feel like it could have been editted down a bit. However, he's clearly very passionate about the subject, and this book is an EXTENSIVE history on Zorro (and every single media adaptation of him).

A bit dry, but also endearingly nerdy. I learned a lot more than I expected.

[Joe Manning · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read most of McCulley's stories and then I saw the Walt Disney series, which I think is the best of all and also made me want to visit California.
This book isn't very interesting, it's like the author is trying to create something out of nothing. Right from the start, we know that Zorro is Spanish, not Mexican, that this country didn't exist as such, and secondly, we're talking about Spanish California,

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fascinating read for any Zorro fan. There were a few rabbit holes the author went down but it all came together at the end. I do understand the blatant racism and whitewashing that happened but by the epilogue the author was really beating the subject matter home.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read. I’m glad I stumbled upon it in a small bookstore in South Dakota… definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in superheroes, Mexican-American history, Hollywood history, comic books, American westerns, or someone just looking for a fun read.

[Quanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction based on legend? There are several good guys, bad guys, and just plain guys that are thought to have been the model for Zorro. The author did extensive research. But, like Jack the ripper, we'll never be sure.

[Jeff J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The origin and influence of Zorro.