“…there is nothing so dangerous in its consequences as injustice to individuals- whether it arises from prejudice of color or from any other source; that a wrong done to one man is a wrong to society and to the world.”
― John Rollin Ridge, Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta: Celebrated California Bandit
I remember growing up watching reruns of the Disney TV Show from the 1950’s Zorro. I was mesmerized by how Diego de la Vega was able to fool the townspeople to believe he was a lazy coward when in reality he was the mysterious masked man who would be on the Californian people’s side against the Spaniards who would try to take their land from them. But then again, I also wondered how Clark Kent was able to disguise himself by a pair of glasses and slacks while his alter ego Superman flew freely across Metropolis without a mask.
The difference was that I knew Superman was a character who only existed on my TV screen; Zorro felt real. I never doubted he was based on some true Mexican-American hero who had seen injustice and was willing to use his Spaniard heritage to help others. When I found out he was based on a pulp magazine series written by Johnston McCulley in 1919, I’ll admit I was a little disappointed. I mean, there had to have been someone who’d gone against the odds of what was expected of him, who was not going to let his community suffer either at the hands of the Spaniards or, eventually, the Americans.
While I processed this sad information, something in my brain made a connection between my favorite swashbuckling hero and another masked crusader living a dual life as a rich playboy. I’ll admit I was late to the party when I realized Bruce Wayne and Diego de la Vega share a lot in common. And while I know they’re not identical, you have to admit that they have some similarities: dual identities, masked black costumes, fighting for the little guy, resourceful and intelligent, and with someone even smarter and more unassuming person behind them (Bernardo and Alfred).
Then, just before Batman Versus Superman: Dawn of Justice came out, I reread my copy of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. And there it was. Bruce remembering the day his parents were killed outside the movie theatre. The title on the billboard: The Mark of Zorro. This also made an appearance on BvS.
Bruce is inspired by something he sees right before the most defining moment of his life. As he suffers through one of the most traumatic experiences a child can have, he remembers a masked avenger who fights in the dark to protect those who nobody will. He becomes the hero who can walk the thin line between good and evil. He’s not perfect and tends to make mistakes, and yet, you can’t help but love him.
But did you know that the hero who inspired the caped crusader was inspired by real life man who some consider a patriot while others see him as a criminal. The real Zorro was not a wealthy man, just someone who’d been wronged to the point of no return. His name was Joaquin Murrieta.
While John Rollin Ridge’s novel The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta (sic): The Celebrated California Bandit, first published in 1854, is a fictionalized account of Murrieta’s story, it uses real details to explain what drove this family man to become a wanted one. Born in the northwest region of Sonora, Mexico in 1829, he immigrated to California with his wife and brother in 1849 during the Gold Rush.
However, instead of encountering prosperity Murrieta faced racism, which by several accounts led to a group of AngloAmericans raping his wife, killing his brother, and beating Murrieta almost to death. That act of pure violence led him to form a band of outlaws known as the Five Joaquins. To the marginalized Mexican and Indigenous community in the American southwest they were heroes helping them take back their land. To the other side, they were wanted men. In 1853, the California governor sent a group of California Rangers to hunt them down. During a shootout three members of the band were killed, one was believed to be Murrieta. His head was cut off from the body and preserved in order to collect the $1000 reward. However, there are rumors that a family member of Murrieta stated that the head did not belonged to the famed bandit.
What is true is that the hero’s story became immortal, both in Mexican and American folklore, and evolved into two iconic heroes of Pop Culture. They might not be identical, but they share one thing: a desire to right the wrongs done to others in order to heal the horrors that were done to them.