Is Zorro America’s First Superhero?

Who is America’s first superhero?

When I was a little girl, every Sunday I would watch Godzilla, Green Hornet, a Bruce Lee flick and Zorro with my dad. It was our Sunday afternoon ritual after I got home from Sunday school.

I watched this charming Mexican aristocrat, in black and white film, flirt with women and drink with the wealthy all while he was plotting their demise. He was an excellent swordsman and he was fearless! He used his own social status to defend the lower class and indigenous people from the tyranny.

However, Zorro is rarely ever spoken of when the topic of superheroes is brought up. Even when Zorro hits the big screen, he is often whitewashed. After reading Zorro’s Shadow: How A Mexican Legend Became America’s First Superhero, I couldn’t help but wonder where would superhero culture be without Zorro? Sure there are great tales that embrace the nature of superhero lore like John Henry and Paul Buyan, but none truly captures the essence of how superheroes are presented today and none of it could have happened without Zorro.

But why am I calling him the first American superhero?

Well for one, Zorro is the prototype of superheroes we love today. He has a mask, a cape and his double identity is the standard recipe for most superhero folklore today. He was also wealthy like Batman and Iron Man and he was a trained supreme fighter that remained unmatched to the majority of his foes.

His double-identity complicated his love life

Like most superheroes, his love life was complicated because he couldn’t trust people with his secret. When he lived as Diego, he was a hot boy—bragging about his riches, wearing fly outfits and being a surface-level, rich pretty boy. Nobody took Diego serious, not even Lolita. Diego had a thang for Lolita but Lolita wasn’t feeling him because whe thought he was a cornball. However, Lolita had the hots for Zorro and welcomed any opportunity to be rescued by him.

His loyal crew was small

His loyal servant (like Alfred) was death and mute and he had close friend who helped him whenever he needed extra eyes. Those two people and his horse were the only living beings he trusted outside of his father. He always showed his friends extreme grace and empathy and made sure they were all cared for.

He had a secret lair

Sure, it wasn’t like Batman’s but his home had lots of secret passages and doorways like any other superhero. His mansion was the last place anyone wanted a battle because it could turn into a booby trap real fast.

Zorro is extremely athletic

He’s also an acrobat who can take a mighty fall, too. Similar to Robin, Zorro is agile and can jump high and swing low at any given moment.

Zorro has a laboratory in his cave

Of course Zorro isn’t a scientist but he’s very smart. He might not be a genius or in the same league with Bruce Banner but he’s sharp and witty.

I think the reason Zorro gets overlooked is partly because he’s Mexican but because he was too ahead of his time. Zorro is very much a pulp character and to some, that automatically dismisses him from holding the superhero title. Even though he wasn’t presented as a standard comic, we can’t deny the impact he’s had on pop culture. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month and please read more literature by Hispanic writers.