Zorro: The Dailies and Beyond

A shiny black cape, flowing in the wind.

A confident smile, a quick sword, and a sure rescue.

A low brow black hat, covering a skin tight black mask.

A mounted swordsman, astride a rearing Toronado glinting in the moonlight.

The silent whisper of a single name that brings confidence to the despoiled.

Douglas Fairbanks. Duncan Regehr. Guy Williams. Antonio Banderas.

Catherine Zeta-Jones. Anthony Hopkins.

Hope.

And so many more...

Johnston McCulley created Zorro in 1919 for the serialized story "The Curse of Capistrano" and from that point, heroes were never the same. Zorro has touched all media possible. Movies, cartoons, television, novels, comic books, and even now video games. His very name can evoke a sense of mystery and justice, and for the merchandiser, an immediate "I know" for the purchaser.

Zorro has evolved from the original character and has touched 80 plus years of fans. He has appeared in movies starting with the 1920 serial adaptation of "The Curse" featuring Douglas Fairbanks as Zorro. Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone added to the legend in 1940 with "The Mark of Zorro", and Disney added it's considerable resources to the classic television show starring Guy Williams in 1957. The 1980's saw George Hamilton portray Zorro in "The Gay Blade", and Duncan Regehr add his style to New Worlds feature "The Adventures of Zorro" (which remains my favourite to this day). Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, and Catherine Zeta-Jones starred in the modern day classic "The Mask of Zorro" which served to re-ignite the character world wide.

Cartoons have seen the Zorro touch as well. 1981 welcomed "The New Adventures of Zorro", and Mondo TV of Italy produced 52 episodes of their series. Zorro Productions, in association with several partners, produced 26 episodes of a new Zorro in 1997 which saw incredible success.

The world of merchandise too has seen it's share of Zorro. Disney, in tandem with the TV show, applied their touch and flooded the market with Zorro (fill in the blank). Toys, clothes, books, and comics all appeared. With each success, another item has surfaced. Playmate toys, in 1998 launched the latest figurines amidst fanfare.

Enter Don McGregor, Thomas Yeates, and Todd Smith. Riding the success of "Mask", Zorro Productions commissions a new Zorro daily strip. Debuting April 12, 1999 "Tusk Envy" takes the comic pages by storm. "Dead Body Rising" follows. Sadly however, the strip makes only survives 2 years.

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