| Abällino the Great Bandit | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Count Rosalvo |
|
First Appearance |
Abällino, der grosse Bandit (1794) |
|
Original Publisher |
Unknown |
|
Created by |
Heinrich Zschokke |
Origin[]
Abällino is the fearsome outlaw alter‐ego of the Neapolitan Count Rosalvo, who adopts two distinct identities to serve a higher purpose in Venice. By day, he appears as a handsome, virtuous nobleman known as Flodoardo, committed to reforming the city. By night, however, he transforms into Abällino — a hulking, grotesque bandit whose fearsome presence intimidates Venice’s criminal underworld.
This dual nature allows him to infiltrate the realm of conspirators and thugs while secretly pursuing justice. Despite his monstrous guise, his actions are driven by a deep-seated sense of duty and self-sacrifice, marking him as an early prototype of the “costumed avenger” archetype.
In essence, Abällino embodies both noble courage and the dramatic flair of Romantic antiheroes, using disguise, wit, and boldness to ultimately restore order in a corrupt society.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Abällino, der grosse Bandit (1794)
Notes[]
- Abällino is often attributed as being one of the first modern playboy costumed vigilantes, inspiring the likes of Zorro and Batman.