The Curse of Cipistrano is a novel written by Johnston McCulley, first published in 1919. It tells the story of the fictional character Don Diego Vega, who disguises himself as Zorro, a masked outlaw, in order to fight injustice and defend the common people against corrupt officials in Alta California. Set in the early 19th century, during the era of Mexican rule over California, the novel explores themes of justice, heroism, and the struggle against oppression. Don Diego Vega, the alter ego of Zorro, is depicted as a wealthy and educated aristocrat who initially appears to be a foppish and weak individual. However, beneath his timid facade, Vega is a skilled swordsman and strategist who uses his dual identity to wage his personal war on tyranny. The character of Zorro has become one of the most iconic figures of popular culture, known for his dual identity, swashbuckling swordsmanship, and the trademark Z carved on surfaces with his sword.
The character of Zorro has become one of the most iconic figures of popular culture, known for his dual identity, swashbuckling swordsmanship, and the trademark Z carved on surfaces with his sword. The Curse of Cipistrano popularized the Zorro character and inspired numerous adaptations in different media, including films, TV series, and comic books. The curse mentioned in the title refers to the supposed curse placed on the Vega family by the last of the Knights Templar, Mateo Rivera, known as Cipistrano.
100 Years of “The Curse of Capistrano”
In the early 1800s, California was still under Spanish rule. The peaceful indigenous people were victimized by the corrupt military commanders. One man rose to stand against injustice and the abuse of power. One man stirred the hearts of Californians and gave them the spirit to resist tyranny. That man was the masked avenger known as Zorro!
Zorro was introduced in Johnston McCulley’s novel, “The Curse of Capistrano,” when it was serialized in the pages of ALL-STORY WEEKLY in 1919. The first segment of the five-part serial part serial was dated August 9, one-hundred years ago to this very day.
The success of the serial’s 1920 film adaptation as THE MARK OF ZORRO — starring Douglas Fairbanks — convinced the character’s creator to author further adventures. Over the next forty years, McCulley penned a total of five Zorro novels and nearly 60 short stories featuring the masked avenger. The stories appeared in ARGOSY, WEST, and other magazines. In book form, “The Curse of Capistrano” was retitled THE MARK OF ZORRO and sold more than 50 million copies. McCulley’s numerous follow-ups never achieved the same level of success. Most were never collected in book form until the definitive editions published by Bold Venture Press.
In addition to the Johnston McCulley’s stories, Zorro has appeared in over forty film and television adaptations, including Walt Disney’s 1950s TV series starring Guy Williams. The character has also appeared in numerous literary pastiches as well as radio, comic books, newspaper strips, and stage plays.
Being one of the earliest examples of a fictional masked avenger with a double identity, Zorro inspired the creation of several similar characters in pulp magazines and other media. McCulley’s hero is a precursor of the superheroes of American comic books, with Batman drawing particularly close parallels to the character. As such, today’s superheroes are very much “Children of the Pulps.” Join publisher/author and 2019 Munsey Award nominee Rich Harvey of Bold Venture Press on the opening night of PulpFest for a celebration of “A Century of Zorro.”
PulpFest 2019 will begin on Thursday, August 15, and run through Sunday, August 18. Join PulpFest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry, just north of Pennsylvania’s “Steel City” of Pittsburgh in Mars, PA. We’ll be celebrating “Children of the Pulps and Other Stories” — focusing on the pulp influences in popular culture — at this year’s gathering.
Click our Programming button below our homepage banner to get a preview of all the great presentations at this year’s event.
To join PulpFest 2019, click the Register button below our homepage banner. And don’t forget to book a room at the DoubleTree. You can reserve a room by calling 1-800-222-8733. Please be sure to mention PulpFest when placing your reservation in order to receive any convention special deals that may still be available. There is ample free parking surrounding the hotel.
(Created by the prolific pulp writer Johnston McCulley, Zorro debuted in “The Curse of Capistrano,” a five-part serial that ran in the pages of the Munsey magazine, ALL-STORY WEEKLY during the month of August 1919. It will be the centennial of the first Zorro story during this year’s PulpFest.
The cover art featured on the August 9, 1919 issue was painted by P. J. Monahan. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Monahan moved to Brooklyn in 1907. He became one of New York’s most prolific artists for the first three decades of the twentieth century, creating advertisements, movie posters, commissioned art, and, most of all, pulp magazine illustrations and covers.)
To join PulpFest 2019, click the Register button below our homepage banner. And don’t forget to book a room at the DoubleTree. You can reserve a room by calling 1-800-222-8733. Please be sure to mention PulpFest when placing your reservation in order to receive any convention special deals that may still be available. There is ample free parking surrounding the hotel.
According to the legend, Rivera cursed the Vega family after they betrayed him, vowing that their wealth and status would be a curse rather than a blessing. This curse is believed to be the reason why Don Diego Vega initially hides his true identity and appears to be a weak and ineffective individual. Throughout the novel, Don Diego Vega struggles with the curse and the expectations placed upon him as a member of the Vega family. However, he ultimately defies the curse by assuming the role of Zorro and using his skills and resources to protect the innocent and fight against corruption. The Curse of Cipistrano is a tale of adventure, romance, and heroism that has captured the imagination of readers for over a century. It explores themes of identity, justice, and the power of individual actions to bring about change. Through its memorable characters and thrilling plot, the novel continues to resonate with audiences and remains a classic in the genre of swashbuckling adventure literature..
Reviews for "The Curse Breakers: Those Who Seek to End Cpistranl's Hex"
1. John - 1/5 stars
"The Curse of Cpistranl was a complete waste of time. There was absolutely no plot development, the characters were flat and uninteresting, and the writing style was amateurish at best. The story dragged on with no clear direction and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat in every aspect. I would not recommend wasting your time on The Curse of Cpistranl."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I was excited to read The Curse of Cpistranl based on the intriguing synopsis, but it ended up being a disappointment. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot was predictable. The characters lacked depth, and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. The writing style was also inconsistent, with awkward phrasing and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I found The Curse of Cpistranl to be a lackluster read that did not live up to its potential.
3. Robert - 2/5 stars
I struggled to finish The Curse of Cpistranl. The story felt disjointed and the narrative was confusing at times. The author introduced too many unnecessary subplots that ultimately led nowhere. The lack of character development made it difficult to care about their fates, and the dialogue was stilted and unnatural. The potential for an interesting fantasy tale was there, but unfortunately, The Curse of Cpistranl failed to deliver. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars
I have to admit, I was disappointed by The Curse of Cpistranl. The world-building was weak, leaving me with many unanswered questions throughout the story. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. The dialogue was also lackluster, with characters speaking in overly formal and unrealistic ways. Overall, The Curse of Cpistranl fell short of my expectations and left me unsatisfied as a reader. I would not recommend this book to others.