Mister-X (1967; Piero Vivarelli)

In 1964, the Italian comic strip Mister-X, by writer Cesare Melloncelli and drawing artist Giancarlo Tenenti, was published. Its content was far less violent than other popular fumetti, such as Kriminal or Satanik, as the character was more of a "gentleman thief".

Many Italian comic book films lack an origin story, whether or not they are adapted from other source material. The hero (or in this case, anti-hero) is already established and well-known to the public. In this case, Mister X (also known as "Avenger X" in North American prints) is already unpopular among the authorities. When Lamaro (Armando Calvo), a gangster in charge of a narcotics ring, is blackmailed by his secretary, he has her killed and has her death blamed on Mister X. 

Like the popular fumetto character Kriminal, Mister X (Norman Clark) is a master of disguise, appearing as a morgue attendant, window washer, etc., to get the goods on the mob ring, when it convenes at a resort. His Mister X costume recalls the jumpsuit and black mask worn by The Phantom in the long-running comic strip.

We are reminded that people involved in espionage are less colourful than the typical James Bond stereotype. Out of disguise (or superhero wardrobe), Mister X is a perfectly average man who can easily blend into the background. He could have been a middle-aged lovelorn character in a film by François Truffaut or Eric Rohmer. 

Director Piero Vivarelli, makes a far more enjoyable movie than his other big-screen adaptation of a fumetto character (Satanik). If the characterizations are often superficial, and the finale is rushed, there is still a pretty good caper movie beneath the surface, even without the costume gimmick, benefiting from gorgeous Capri locations, and some memorable sequences including the discovery of the secretary’s body in a stadium, and an amusing bit where the gangsters’ wives talk about keeping their mouths shut to stay healthy. Helga Liné was becoming a staple in these films by now (see Kriminal and Mark Of The Kriminal). Here she is again as the duplicitous Gloria.

Mister-X was once on VHS (released by good old Wizard Video as Avenger X), but you should easily find it online for viewing.