The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta

Critics have long argued that John Rollin Ridge's sensational novel about Murieta served as the inspiration for particular westerns such as Zorro and the Lone Ranger. They also see it as the prototype for superhero characters such as Batman. Based on your reading so far, what qualities does this novel exhibit that seem similar to these other stories? Do you see Murieta as a superhero or comic book character? If so, what makes him that kind of character?