 | Joaquin Murrieta is an early example of a dime novel. A type of cheap literature prevalent during the 19th century and the early precursor for comic books. The novel was written by John Rollin Ridge, most notable for being one of the first published Native American authors. The story of Joaquin Murrieta isn't as famous as it's succeeding storyline. This knife, gun slinging, blood bath tells the story of a Mexican bandit, who's lineage includes Zorro. While, Zorro has his own blockbuster franchise, Joaquin was put on the back burner. He was less vigilante and less hero, then our masked Antonio Banderas. |
The original Joaquin Murrieta was loosely based on real life events, although was highly fictional. The real Joaquin is said to be based on four separate outlaws. The novel was highly plagiarized, however in it's original format by John Rollin Ridge, it featured an undercurrent of social justice, showing the harm that discrimination and hatred creates in society. It's a lesson of the old west that the United States still hasn't picked up.
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