Books with title The MASK OF ZORRO YA

Complete and unabridged, with an illuminating Introduction, plus a special gallery of movie posters, stills, and classic Zorro book and magazine covers, this is the ultimate edition of a timeless masterpiece of pulse-pounding action, daring exploits and passionate romance. Here is the original "Zorro" story, the tale of a "Robin Hood" of Old California—so beloved by the world that it inspired dozens of motion pictures and television series.Although masked heroes in dramatic costumes with secret identities as ordinary, even ineffectual civilians, have been popular with old and young alike for the last seventy or so years, they were almost unknown in literature until the fabulous success of Zorro, first as a magazine serial, then in book form, and finally as a screen blockbuster.Zorro is unique—no other hero has quite his gift for delivering a witty line while pressing a villain to retreat with his consummate swordsmanship. No one has quite his gift for paying a languidly bored compliment to a Señorita as Don Diego, or for fiery, poetic love-making as Zorro. And no one else has quite his touch for delivering retribution to those who brutally victimize the poor and helpless—not even Superman or Black Scorpion leave their initials behind, carved in the evildoer's own hide as a permanent reminder that "crime does not pay."Myth, allegory, parable—The Mark of Zorro is a call to champion the rights of the downtrodden and oppressed that is not lost on the young, whatever its reception by their more jaded and literal-minded seniors. In all of his sixty-plus Zorro tales, Johnston McCulley had one goal: using his pen to fight injustice as his immortal hero did with the sword.If you have never read it, this very special edition is the place to start. If you have read it before, this is the perfect time to relive all Don Diego de la Vega's immortal exploits in Old California.

The native hurried forward to fasten the door against the force of the wind, and then retreated to his corner again. The newcomer had his back toward those in the long room. They could see that his sombrero was pulled far down on his head, as if to prevent the wind from whisking it away, and that his body was enveloped in a long cloak that was wringing wet.With his back still toward them, he opened the cloak and shook the raindrops from it, and then folded it across his breast again as the fat landlord hurried forward, rubbing his hands together in expectation, for he deemed that here was some caballero off the highway who would pay good coin for food and bed and care for his horse.When the landlord was within a few feet of him and the door the stranger whirled around. The landlord gave a little cry of fear and retreated with speed. The corporal gurgled deep down in his throat; the soldiers gasped; Sergeant Pedro Gonzales allowed his lower jaw to drop and let his eyes bulge.For the man who stood straight before them had a black mask over his face that effectually concealed his features, and through the two slits in it his eyes glittered ominously."Ha! What have we here?" Gonzales gasped, finally, some presence of mind returning to him.The man before them bowed."Señor Zorro, at your service!" he said."By the saints! Señor Zorro, eh?" Gonzales cried.- Taken from "The Mark of Zorro" written by Johnston McCulley

McCulley's novel "The Mark of Zorro" originally was published in 1919 in All-Story Weekly as "The Curse of Capistrano". "The Mark of Zorro" has inspired countless films and television adventures.Summary:Old California, in a bygone era of sprawling haciendas and haughty caballeros, suffers beneath the whip-lash of oppression. Missions are pillaged, native peasants are abused, and innocent men and women are persecuted by the corrupt governor and his army.But a champion of freedom rides the highways. His identity hidden behind a mask, the laughing outlaw Zorro defies the tyrant's might.

Originally titled The Curse of Capistrano in its 1919 debut, this exciting tale achieved immortal fame thanks to Douglas Fairbanks’s 1920 blockbuster film, The Mark of Zorro—a cinematic triumph that inspired Johnston McCulley to retitle his novel and dedicate it to Fairbanks. Set in Mexican California during the 1820s, the story follows the career of Don Diego Vega, by all appearances an effete and foppish aristocrat. But Vega’s timorous reputation is nothing more than a mask to conceal his alter ego: a California Robin Hood known as Zorro, whose swift blade strikes down those who exploit the poor and oppressed. The inspiration for dozens of film and television adaptations, The Mark of Zorro remains a paradigm of swashbuckling adventure.

Here begins the legend of Zorro. Spanish Southern California struggles under the governor’s tyrannical grip. Missions are raided and innocent peasants are abused and persecuted. But from the desert a savior arises. A masked man named Zorro, or desert fox, rides at night taking revenge on those who would harm the common man. His deadly marksmanship and flashing sword quickly become legendary. Swashbuckling Adventure Awaits!

Here begins the legend of Zorro. Spanish Southern California struggles under the governor’s tyrannical grip. Missions are raided and innocent peasants are abused and persecuted. But from the desert a savior arises. A masked man named Zorro, or desert fox, rides at night taking revenge on those who would harm the common man. His deadly marksmanship and flashing sword quickly become legendary. Swashbuckling Adventure Awaits!

Old California, in a bygone era of sprawling haciendas and haughty caballeros, suffers beneath the whip-lash of oppression. Missions are pillaged, native peasants are abused, and innocent men and women are persecuted by the corrupt governor and his army.But a champion of freedom rides the highways. His identity hidden behind a mask, the laughing outlaw Zorro defies the tyrant's might. A deadly marksman and a demon swordsman, his flashing blade leaves behind . . .Fist published in 1919, The Mark of Zorro has inspired countless films and television adventures. Now read how the legend began . . .