Avenger X

Lore & Background

Avenger X was based on the comic series Mister-X, created by writer Cesare Melloni and drawing artist Giancarlo Tenenti, first published by Milan's Edizioni Cervinia in 1965. Unlike other fumetti neri of the era, the comic had very little violent content, with the titular character being a gentleman thief similar to Arsène Lupin. In the film, Mister X visually differs from the comics design: the comic version wore a black hood and leotard, while the film version wears a red cape, white boots, and a hood that covers his face.

Reader's Guide

Avenger X represents a transitional work in Italian genre cinema, adapting a relatively non-violent comic into a film that still required censorship cuts. Director Piero Vivarelli stated most violent scenes were removed from the Italian version to earn a V.M.14 rating, though censors only documented 47 seconds of cuts, including a blowtorch approaching Mister X's bare chest and a speedboat moving toward a reef. The film grossed 112 million Italian lire in Italy and sold 707,889 admissions in Spain after its release there on 22 January 1968. Its English-language title ignores the character's name, calling it Avenger X instead of Mister X. Parts of the film were shot in Rome, including location shooting at the Stadio dei Marmi.

Did You Know?

• The film's English title, Avenger X, ignores the character's original name Mister X.
• The comic series Mister-X was first published in 1965 by Milan's Edizioni Cervinia.
• In the film, Mister X wears a red cape, white boots, and a hood, unlike the comic's black hood and leotard.

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