Zorro

This exciting adventure story has achieved immortal fame thanks to the blockbuster film of the same name, starring Douglas Fairbanks-a cinematic triumph that inspired author Johnston McCulley to dedicate it to Fairbanks. It has since seen numerous film and other adaptations, including a full-cast audio drama featuring the voice talents of Val Kilmer, Ruth Livier, Elizabeth Peña, Armin Shimmerman, and Meshach Taylor. Set in Mexican California during the 1820s, the tale follows the career of Don Diego Vega, by all appearances just a timid and aristocratic dandy. But apearances can be deceiving, and this is nothing more than a mask to conceal his hidden side as a California Robin Hood known as Zorro, whose swift blade strikes down those who exploit the poor and oppressed. The Mark of Zorro remains a paradigm of swashbuckling adventure and a popular novel to this day.

Based on Johnston McCulley's The Curse of Capistrano first published in 1919 by pulp magazine All-Story Weekly Set in Los Angeles during the era of early nineteenth century Colonial Spanish California, the story introduces us to wealthy, young aristocrat Don Diego de la Vega, son of the richest ranchero in the country. Don Diegois an idler who has never concerned himself with more than the cut of his clothes. Unlike other full-blooded youths of his age, he presents himself as a fop, lacking in vigor, vitality, and strength. But Vega's timorous reputation is merely a mask to conceal his alter ego-El Zorro. As Zorro, dressed in black and wearing a mask, he is transformed into a cunning swordsman who fearlessly pulls off dashing and daring escapades in his quest to avenge the helpless, aid the poor and oppressed, and punish cruel officials. Deemed an outlaw by California's corrupt governor, he is ever-hunted by the Commandante of La Reina de Los Angeles, Capitan Ramen, and his henchman, Sergeant Pedro Gonzalez. Forced to find a wife or lose his inheritance, Diego sets off to romance the fiery, outspoken Lolita Pulido, the most beautiful seorita in Los Angeles. Unimpressed with Diego's passionless efforts to win her affections, Lolita finds herself attracted to the dashing and courageous Zorro. With the Pulido family having been impoverished by the corrupt governor, her father would see her married to the rich Don Diego. At the same time, the nobly born, but morally dissolute, Captain Ramen has also taken an interest in the fair seorita, making matters worse. As tensions heighten between Ramon and the Pulido family and pursuit of the masked avenger intensifies, Zorro leaves his mark on those who would perpetrate injustice. The Mark of Zorro, masterfully adapted into a full-cast audio drama by the award-winning Hollywood Theater of the Ear especially for Blackstone Audio, is an exciting, action-packed, swashbuckling adventure that will have listeners on the edge of their seats.

1820s California, in a bygone era of sprawling haciendas and haughty caballeros, suffers beneath the whip 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 strikes down those who exploit the poor and oppressed. First published in 1919, The Mark of Zorro remains a paradigm of swashbuckling adventure and a popular novel to this day.

The swashbuckling sequel to The Mark of Zorro (The Curse of Capistrano), The Further Adventures of Zorro sees the daring hero out for revenge once more. After Captain Ramon kidnaps the beautiful Lolita Pulido, Zorro takes to the seas and battles pirates in a bid to win her back. Swordfights, death traps and disastrously tight corners await him. But it is never much more than a challenge as the gallant caballero laughs in the face of danger - nothing can faze him. Villainous villains, heroic heroes and damsels in distress are all brought to life in full sonic splendour.

Zorro Rides Again is the third novella featuring Zorro, the Robin Hood of Old California. Reina de los Angeles is being terrorized by a masked swordsman who marks the faces of his victims with Zorro's trademark Z. But is this the real Zorro? The Governor of California offers a reward for the capture of Don Diego Vega (who is known to have previously been Zorro) dead or alive, while an army - led by the ruthless Captain Rocha - is in hot pursuit of the outlaw. Assisted by a coterie of allies and the native Cocopah tribe, Don Diego seeks to establish his innocence and unmask the evil imposter.