There seems to be a run on superheroes these days, creatures of extraordinary powers and bold and courageous actions wearing Halloween costumes. If Iron Man came to your door, you’d hand him a Snickers and wave him on.
Lately, they have reached the extremes of power and righteousness in American movies, video games and ... some car dealerships. They generally represent good vs. today’s current evil. Judging from the successes of the movies and games that depict them, there seems to be an unflagging, worldwide hunger for creatures of super strength, super speed, near invulnerability, regenerative power, sharpened senses, shape-shifting, telepathy, flight, atomic vision, super hearing and of course bulging tight pants.
But notably, the first American superhero was a Mexican. No, not Cutter-ant Man or SuperKatrina. Over 100 years ago, the first superhero movie hit the theaters: Zorro.
Zorro, a character from an American short story, became the subject of a hit silent film starring Douglas Fairbanks in 1920. The flick went on to become one of the biggest and most influential cinematic franchises of all time; and, I confess, the reason I became a flashy fencer, puncturing evil-doers to kingdomcome. (Yeah, me, indulging a fantasy decades ago. All in fun and good sport.)
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