Pulptober 2025 Day 10-Mastermind of Crime-Lupin the third
Since the example character of this day is Diabolik,I choose another pulp hero that's wildly popular in Italy.I've introduced Lupin III in the past pulptober,and I guess this character isn't quite obscure in the pulp hero fandom (at least I hope that is),so I won't go into detail about him here.
Diabolik and Lupin III have a lot in common.They are all intelligent,cunning,and full of gadgets,tricks and plans.They are inspired by classic pulp criminal characters and are entangled with a police inspector who is sometimes hostile and sometimes cooperative.In the early original manga, they were presented as out-and-out jerk villains,but later their images developed into more sympathetic and honor-oriented ones (especially Lupin III).Of course,they resonate deeply with Italian culture with their rebellious spirit against social constraints.However,what makes them truly unique is probably their differences.For example,in terms of general image,Diabolik is more cold,taciturn and calculating,exuding a serious and sophisticated temperament,while Lupin III is lively and cheerful,both stupid but smart,with a little cynicism,and has a sense of humor in his sophistication.Diabolik likes to hide in the shadows and plan his crimes,usually avoiding direct confrontations and always hiding himself with a mask and a fake identity,while Lupin often takes off his disguise mask in public and runs through gunfire and bullets around the world,making it difficult to tell whether he is the descendant of Arsène Lupin or James Bond.Also,Diabolik has remained essentially faithful to his original dark and realistic style throughout his long history,while Lupin has displayed a flexible image in different works,ranging from light-hearted and humorous to steady and profound.
Perhaps their biggest difference comes from their female counterparts.Eva Kant was initially targeted by Diabolik and feared by his ruthlessness,but the two quickly fell in love,and she is very loyal for Diabolik and as his regular partner in crime.Fujiko Mine is an unofficial member of Lupin gang,and they do have a romantic attraction to each other,but even to Lupin III that Fujiko is a clock-in working femme fatale,because she often exploits and betrays him,though she still often works sincerely with him and other members.Both are highly skilled thieves capable of standing on their own,but Eva possesses a strong sense of loyalty and emotional dependence on Diabolik,while Fujiko often acts out of personal gain and exploits Lupin's infatuation with her,though she does sometimes display deep feelings for him.Overall,Eva and Diabolik are a pair of thieves who work together seamlessly,they maintain a lover relationship in normal sense with a life far away from social norms,while Fujiko and Lupin have a relationship full of tension and playfulness,there are probably not many couples in reality who can maintain a long-term relationship like them,which is like two rotating magnets that are sometimes intimate and sometimes confrontational.
The cover of Lupin III Millennium,the series of Italian comics published by Kappa Edizioni.
Lupin III and Fujiko Mine.The art is from Arte Zeta Studio.
