==Introduction==
El Zorro is a well-known fictional character and is instantaneously recognizable. He was a fighter for justice and protects the weak against the strong, a Robin Hood figure. This character has become something of a cultural figure, especially in California. Moreover, the character has been very influential in the development of the ‘super-hero’ genre. It is generally accepted that the Californian outlaw inspired the creation of Batman. The character also inspired many other well-known figures in ‘pulp fiction’ works, cartoons, and comics. Like many popular fictional heroes, the figure of Zorro was based on a real-life or historical figure. Below is a discussion of the candidates that inspired the character of the Californian hero.
[[File: Zorro One.jpg |200px|thumb|left|The cover of the first Zorro novel]]
