History Main / ZorroMark

* In the ''Series/{{Castle}}'' episode "Heroes & Villains", the vigilante Lone Justice carves an "L" into the butt cheek of a mobster with a sword.

A Subtrope of the CallingCard. If this is done with an open flame, it's a FlamingEmblem. If etched into the person's skin, it's AScarToRemember. Compare MarkOfShame.

* Franchise/{{Batman}}, being a Franchise/{{Zorro}} fanboy, does this on occasion.
** During ''ComicBook/BatmanNoMansLand'' he spray-painted his symbol on the walls of areas of Gotham he'd liberated from his RoguesGallery. Though it should be noted that this was standard practice for every group in NML, to mark their territory.
** In ''ComicBook/TheDarkKnightStrikesAgain'' he uses the sharp edge of a batarang to carve a Zorro-style Z on ComicBook/LexLuthor's face.
** He and Robin also spray explosive gel on walls and floors in the shape of their symbols in the ''[[VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries Arkham]]'' series.

** The Cavalier appearing in a 5 page back-up story in ''ComicBook/BatmanAdventures'' #1. His portrayal was a cross between Myth/RobinHood and Franchise/{{Zorro}}, in stealing from those he perceives rich and slashing his sword in that person's clothes.

* ''VideoGame/SlyCooper'': The titular character leaves his calling card behind in the scenes of crime.

* Kaine from ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' uses his wall-sticking powers ''on your face'' and pulls his hand away, resulting in the disfiguring "Mark of Kaine." Yeeowch. Fortunately (or unfortunately) the person he's doing this to is typically already dead.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'':

** In ''[[ChristmasSpecial Shrek the Halls]]'', Puss tells a story in which he portrays Santa Claus. In it, he slashes an "S" on a wall with his claws.

* The ''[[WesternAnimation/SuperMarioBros Super Mario Bros Super Show]]'' does this in their own parody with Mario taking the role of "Zero", leaving zeroes on his enemies shirts with his plumber's snake. Luigi, taking the role of "Zero Plus One", was very pleased when he managed to pull one off.

* PlayedForLaughs in an episode of ''Series/ElChavoDelOcho''. El Chavo was so dirty that he was leaving hand marks imprinted all over on everything he touched. At one point, it actually saved Don Ramón from Doña Florinda's usual ArmorPiercingSlap, as he proved that El Chavo was the one who hit Quico by showing her a water can with the hand mark on it.

* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/CourageTheCowardlyDog'' tells the story of the cast's [[IdenticalGrandson Identical Ancestors]] in the Old West. Eustace's ancestor was a bandit named The Whip who was quite proficient with his WeaponOfChoice, even leaving a Zorro-style "W" on the clothing of his victims.

* In ''Manga/DragonHalf'', Mink's father's signature technique carved an "R" on his enemies. Dick Saucer's carved an "S" (Which one opponent thought was a "5").

* ''Series/UltramanZ'' would occasionally incorporate a "Z" motif in his attacks, notably when he uses the Z Lance Arrow which leaves a burning Z-shaped slash on monsters before they explode.

-->'''Theme song:''' ''This bold renegade carves a "Z" with display... A Z that stands for ZORRO!''

* ''ComicStrip/TheFarSide'' shows that Zorro had a younger brother named Gomez, whose habit of slashing cursive capital "G"s wasn't so catchy.

** The trope is parodied with the Zorro-like character in the ''TabletopGame/DiscworldRolePlayingGame'' spaghetti western setting [[http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=2177 "A Fistful of Tunes You Can Whistle,"]] who has the name Don Gaveroz de Varozag de la Lala, "El Aguilo del Cubo". He keeps attempting to carve ''all'' his intitals on his opponents, but since his code of honor prevents him from continuing to attack someone who is clearly about to collapse from blood loss, he seldom gets very far with it.

* Naganegiman from ''Franchise/{{Anpanman}}'', who is a parody of Zorro, slashes an "N" on Baikinman's UFO and robots, which will cause them to short out and break their casing, leaving only the machine components.

* ''ComicBook/XDarkHorseComics'', of Dark Horse's ''comicBook/ComicsGreatestWorld'', uses an X mark.

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[[quoteright:300:[[ComicBook/{{Asterix}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/asterix_21.png]]]]

* PlayedForLaughs in an episode of ''Series/ElChavoDelOcho''. El Chavo was so dirty that he was leaving hand marks imprinted all over on everything he touched. At one point, it actually saved Don Ramón from Doña Florinda's usual ArmorPiercingSlap, as he proved that El Chavo was the one who hit Quico by showing her a water can with the hand mark on it.
-->"Look here! El Chavo's mark!"

* Radio/TheGreenHornet carried seals which he used to mark his presence when it suited his purposes, such as on documents at crime scenes, on the bodies of criminals he captured and left for the police to find, etc. Occasionally facsimiles of the Hornet's seal were used by criminals in attempts to pin the blame for their deeds on the Green Hornet. It never worked. Carried over into movie serial, television, and comic book adaptations of the property.

* In ''TabletopGame/SeventhSea'', with the right sword schools, you get a skill knack for doing just that.

* ''VideoGame/SlyCooper'': The titular character leaves his calling card behind in the scenes of crime.

* Webcomic/DominicDeegan's father has a habit of doing this. At one point, he actually gets into trouble.

* There is a serial on the animated cartoon series ''The WesternAnimation/RockyAndBullwinkle Show'' that features a mysterious character called "The Mark of Zero". His trademark is stamping the numeral 0 in unexpected places. For example, the score late in a baseball game is 9 to 1. The "Mark of Zero" changes this to 10 to 9 -- to everyone's amazement. At the story's conclusion, his talent for stamping "zero" is put to good use as he becomes the scorekeeper for the New York Mets major league baseball team, at that time the symbol of futility in that sport.
** Two more Zero examples: WesternAnimation/{{Popeye}} spins a tale to Olive's niece Deezil about a daredevil hero that usues his sword to brandish the integer zero on villains' clothing, and ''[[Creator/{{Terrytoons}} The Adventures Of Lariat Sam]]'' had Badlands Meeney's minion Bushwhack quit from being a minion and becoming "Zero," painting zeroes all over Bent Saddle.
* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' entitled "E-I-E-I-(Annoyed Grunt)", the Simpsons go to the movies to see ''The Poke of Zorro''. In it, Franchise/{{Zorro}} fights Literature/TheThreeMusketeers, Film/TheManInTheIronMask, unseen ninjas and challenges Literature/TheScarletPimpernel to a duel. Inspired by Zorro, Homer defends Marge, challenging Snake to a duel by slapping him with a glove. Victorious, Homer marks Marge's dress with an "H" scrawled out in ketchup.
* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' has ComicBook/GreenLantern John Stewart punching [[CorruptChurch Despero]] so hard it leaves the lantern imprint. [[GoForTheEye On his third eye.]]
* The ''[[WesternAnimation/SuperMarioBros Super Mario Bros Super Show]]'' does this in their own parody with Mario taking the role of "Zero", leaving zeroes on his enemies shirts with his plumber's snake. Luigi, taking the role of "Zero Plus One", was very pleased when he managed to pull one off.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' plays this one straight, in a session of LetsYouAndHimFight [[LoveMakesYouCrazy Zoidberg]] carves a Z on Fry's shirt, and then he adds Dr. above it.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLooneyTunesShow'': Speedy leaves "S" behind after his cheese thefts in "Queso Bandito".
* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': When she strikes, Sabine, the Mandalorian weapons and explosive expert of the Rebels, leaves a phoenix-symbol at their bombing-sights, as a graffiti on the walls, or on the helmets/armor of stormtroopers she's taken out. Sometimes the graffiti she leaves behind ''is'' a bomb, sprayed with [[MadeOfExplodium combustible materials]].

* In ''Manga/DragonHalf'', Mink's father's signature technique carved an "R" on his enemies. Dick Saucer's carved an "S" (Which one opponent thought was a "5").
* Naganegiman from ''Franchise/{{Anpanman}}'', who is a parody of Zorro, slashes an "N" on Baikinman's UFO and robots, which will cause them to short out and break their casing, leaving only the machine components.

* In the ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}}'' comic book album ''Recap/AsterixAndCaesarsGift'', Asterix duels with a Roman and makes the iconic Z mark on his tunic, all the while exchanging [[YouFightLikeACow half-assed quips]], in the best Zorro tradition.
* X, of Dark Horse's Comics ''Greatest World'', uses an X mark.

* ''ComicStrip/ThePhantom'' and his skull ring. This was busted, as far as application through direct force was concerned, on ''Series/MythBusters'', although they didn't take into account indention through other means, such as the ring on the Phantom's ''left'' hand, that he uses to leave a "Good Mark" on those he protects. According to the new Dynamite ''ComicBook/TheLastPhantom'' series the mark is caused by an allergic reaction from berries that the signets of the rings are dabbed with, creating an indelible tattoo. Another official explanation that has been offered is that the ring actually has a lot of tiny needles.
* A short ''ComicBook/LuckyLuke'' story features a Zorro parody, whose mark is an "X" instead of a "Z" because he can't read or write.
* In his early tales, Alan Scott, the [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] ComicBook/GreenLantern, would often lay out a villain with a left haymaker that'd leave, at least temporarily, the imprint of his ring on their cheek.

* ''ComicBook/SuskeEnWiske'': In ''De Raap van Rubens'' (''Rubens' pupil'') Lambik travels back in time to meet Creator/PeterPaulRubens, the famous 17th-century painter. He decides to have a duel with painter Anthony Van Dyck where they fight using their paint brushes. Lambik then paints a ''Z'' on Van Dyck's bare chest and says: ''You don't know him [Zorro], do you? You might learn about him in school, when you're older!''
* ''ComicStrip/TheFarSide'' shows that Zorro had a younger brother named Gomez, whose habit of slashing cursive capital "G"s wasn't so catchy.

* In ''[[FanFic/CheerileesGarden Cheerilee's Garden]]'', Cheerilee carves the word "[[MadnessMantra Weed]]" into Apple Bloom's chest.
* ''FanFic/ThisBites'': Rather appropriately, Zoro's Three-Sword Style Burst: Five-Sense Ravager technique does this by etching the Straw Hat's Jolly Roger into a target.

* In ''Anime/HowlsMovingCastle'', the Witch of the Waste sends Howl a "scorching love note" via Sophie, which falls on the breakfast table when Howl touches it and burns a scorch mark on the table. However, the permanent marking is averted when Howl proceeds to declare the mark "not good for the table" and wipes it away with his bare hand.

* In the 2005 film adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel ''Film/VForVendetta'', the masked, black-clad protagonist, overtly identified with the imagery of Guy Fawkes, carves his "V" symbol in Zorro-like style.

** ''Film/TheMaskOfZorro'', naturally. Alejandro Murrieta, [[LegacyCharacter the new boy]], puts his own spin on it, cutting an "M" into the cheek of the man who [[YouKilledMyFather murdered his brother]].

** In ''Film/TheBoldCaballero'', in all Zorro stories, Zorro carves a "Z" on the flesh of his targets. The Commandante carves one on the Governor's body to frame Zorro for his murder.
* In ''Film/InglouriousBasterds'', the Basterds carve swastikas into the foreheads of any [[ThoseWackyNazis Nazis]] they let live. "We like our Nazis in uniform. That way we can spot 'em just like that. We're gonna give you something you can't take off."
* In ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', Batman brands his symbol into the skin of a criminal he takes down. A news report later notes that this significantly shortens the life expectancy of the criminals he does this to, as other criminals tend to single out these people in jail for violent treatment. [[spoiler:Batman nearly does this to Lex Luthor at the end, but he changes his mind and instead decides to punch a bat-shaped hole in the wall behind Luthor.]]
* In ''Film/{{Cartouche}}'', at one point while robbing a palace with his gang, the titular bandit draws a "C" on a mirror with a candle.
* ''Film/{{The Punisher|2004}}'' makes a Zorro mark out of the skull on the shirt he wears. It was the shirt his son gave him before his family was brutally murdered by Howard Saint. When Saint is finally defeated, the explosions are arranged to form the Punisher's skull out of flame.
* ''Film/SurfNinjas'' contains a deliberate homage to ''Zorro'' when Johnny concludes his duel with Zatch by slicing a "Z" into his tunic, to demonstrate his natural finesse with a sword.

* Franchise/{{Zorro}}, of course, is the TropeNamer. It should be noted that in the original works, it doubled as a MarkOfShame -- Zorro cut his mark into the flesh of the evildoers he defeated. The common people would recognize the Z scar as a sign that Zorro had judged them and then refuse to do business with them. Such people would then have to leave the area if they wanted to find people who were willing to sell them food.
* Pulp magazine hero Literature/TheSpider used to leave a red-ink "spider" impression (known as the Spider's Seal) on the foreheads of the criminals he slew.
* Literature/ThePenetrator, Mark Hardin, left behind blue arrowheads.

* Literature/TheGraySeal left behind stickers.
* Literature/TheSaint left behind haloed stick figures.
* Kissin' Kate Barlow from ''Literature/{{Holes}}'' applied lipstick and kissed the men she killed.

* In Cornelia Funke's ''Literature/{{Inkheart}}'' trilogy, Capricorn's men always hang a dead rooster in the razed ruins of the buildings they destroy.

* To make a point about his restored sapience during ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'', [[spoiler: Nolien]] carves an "N" into the outer coat of a naysaying diplomat with his new unicorn horn. It demonstrates his control over his transformation and the ability for precision.
* Comes up in ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'' of all places, when Zaphod explains that someone pulled a MemoryGambit on him with brain surgery and left their initials ''burned into his brain''. [[spoiler: They were Zaphod's own initials: He set the whole ZanyScheme that drives the plot of the first two books himself, for reasons that even he doesn't understand anymore.]]

* Naturally, Disney's live-action ''Series/{{Zorro|1957}}'' series had this in spades, as did the [[Series/Zorro1990 1990s series version]].
-->'''Theme song:''' ''This bold renegade carves a "Z" with display... A Z that stands for ZORRO!''
* In the last anime training video for ''Series/CaptainPowerAndTheSoldiersOfTheFuture'', The good captain "leaves a message" in the side of Castle Volcania [[http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UTm9Cp_FzQI starts at about 6:50.]]
* ''Series/{{Eureka}}'': In a dream sequence, Zorro-style hero Douglas Fargo slices an "F" into the dress of fair maiden Jo Lupo.

* "R.I.P. Series/{{MacGyver|1985}}" blowtorched onto the main character's house's wall is an excellent clue to the villain's identity. You could forget the guy's ''voice'' and never see his face and you'd still always recognize Murdoc.
* Clark Kent in ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' started doing this with his (not yet) famous \S/. The practice was mocked by Green Arrow in "[[Recap/SmallvilleS09E03Rabid Rabid]]", who thought Clark was being egotistical. "What does the 'S' stand for, 'Superstar'?"
* Used as a title reference in the original ''Series/{{V|1983}}'' TV miniseries, when a Holocaust survivor shows some taggers how to spray-paint a V ("For Victory") on one of the aliens' propaganda-posters. The practice spreads, becoming a symbol of LaResistance.
* Franchise/KamenRider:
** In ''Series/KamenRider555'', the multiple Riders' [[FinishingMove Finishing Moves]] leave behind their symbol with a line going through them that disappears after a few seconds, the most memorable one,[[TheHero Faiz]], has a circle with a line going through its middle to reference the Greek letter Phi.
** The titular Rider of ''Series/KamenRiderKiva'' has his sigil forming out of his Rider Kick (Darkness Moon Break) in any solid surface the hapless MonsterOfTheWeek happens to be in (be it a wall, floor or the street). TheMovie even has him plastering the BigBad (of the movie at least) and forming his sigil as a giant crater on the moon [[spoiler: which, fortunately dissipated immediately]].
* In the ''Series/{{Castle}}'' episode "Heroes & Villains", the vigilante Lone Justice carves an "L" into the butt cheek of a mobster with a sword.

* Naturally, Disney's live-action ''Series/{{Zorro}}'' series had this in spades, as did the [[Series/Zorro1990 1990s series version]].

[[folder:Films -- Live Action]]

** ''Film/TheMarkOfZorro'', the 1920 silent film in which Douglas Fairbanks slices the Z into his enemy's forehead.

** In ''Film/TheBoldCaballero'', in all Zorro stories, Zorro carves a 'Z' on the flesh of his targets. The Commandante carves one on the Governor's body to frame Zorro for his murder.

* ''Film/ThePunisher2004'' makes a Zorro mark out of the skull on the shirt he wears. It was the shirt his son gave him before his family was brutally murdered by Howard Saint. When Saint is finally defeated, the explosions are arranged to form the Punisher's skull out of flame.

* Clark Kent in ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' started doing this with his [[strike:not yet]] famous \S/. The practice was mocked by Green Arrow in "[[Recap/SmallvilleS09E03Rabid Rabid]]", who thought Clark was being egotistical. "What does the 'S' stand for, 'Superstar'?"
* Used as a title reference in the original ''Series/{{V 1983}}'' TV miniseries, when a Holocaust survivor shows some taggers how to spray-paint a V ("For Victory") on one of the aliens' propaganda-posters. The practice spreads, becoming a symbol of LaResistance.

* Clark Kent in ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' started doing this with his [[strike:not yet]] famous \S/. The practice was mocked by Green Arrow, who thought Clark was being egotistical. "What does the 'S' stand for, 'Superstar'?"

* Naturally, Disney's live-action ''Series/{{Zorro}}'' series had this in spades, as did the live-action series done in the 90s.

** The [[Series/Zorro1990 1990-1993 series]] as well.

* Naturally, Disney's live-action ''Franchise/{{Zorro}}'' series had this in spades, as did the live-action series done in the 90s.

* ''Anime/BubblegumCrisis'': The Knight Sabers usually leave their name burned into the concrete after taking out a rogue Boomer. Nene's suit actually has a laser for which this is the only real use (it's not much as a weapon).

* ''ComicBook/SuskeEnWiske'': In ''De Raap van Rubens'' (''Rubens' pupil'') Lambik travels back in time to meet Creator/PeterPaulRubens, the famous 17th century painter. He decides to have a duel with painter Anthony Van Dyck where they fight with use of their paint brushes. Lambik then paints a ''Z'' on Van Dyck's bare chest and says: ''You don't know him [Zorro], do you? You might learn about him in school, when you're older!''

* ''Film/ThePunisher2004'' Makes a Zorro mark out of the skull on the shirt he wears. It was the shirt his son gave him before his family was brutally murdered by Howard Saint. When Saint is finally defeated, The explosions are arranged to make the Punisher's skull out of flame.

* Comes up in ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'' of all places, when Zaphod explains that someone pulled a MemoryGambit on him with brain surgery and left their initials ''burned into his brain''. [[spoiler: They were Zaphod's initials: He set the whole ZanyScheme that drives the plot of the first two books himself, for reasons that even he doesn't understand anymore.]]

* In the last anime training video for ''Series/CaptainPowerAndTheSoldiersOfTheFuture'', The good captain "Leaves a message" in the side of Castle Volcania [[http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UTm9Cp_FzQI starts at about 6:50.]]

** In ''Series/KamenRider555'', the multiple Riders' [[FinishingMove Finishing Moves]] leave behind their symbol with a line going through them that disappears after a few seconds, the most memorable one,[[TheHero Faiz]], has a circle with a line going through its middle to reference the greek letter Phi.

* Radio/TheGreenHornet carried seals which he used to mark his presence when it suited his purposes, such as on documents at crime scenes, on the bodies of criminals he captured and left for the police to find, etc. Occasionally facsimiles of the Hornet's seal were used by criminals in attempts to pin the blame for their malfeasance on the Green Hornet. It never worked. Carried over into movie serial, television, and comic book adaptations of the property.

* An American surgeon whose mental issues, suspected to be a form of early-onset Alzheimers, had gone largely un-noticed, demonstrated such pride in the neatness of his stitching an abdominal incision that he autographed it, [[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/631568.stm carving his initials on the hapless patient with a scalpel]]. Dr Alan Zarkin has since been struck off the professional register and his patient sucessfully sued for damages.