El Coyote (the Coyote or prairie wolf) is the name of a fictional character very similar to Zorro (El Zorro), the Fox, although acting several years later (when California had transformed to be a part of the United States' "Wild West"). He first appeared in a Spanish Novelas del Oeste ("Stories of the West") Number 9 pulp novel in 1943, written by Carter Mulford, later as J. Mallorquí. Mulford was one of several pseudonyms of the successful Spanish author José Mallorquí y Figuerola (1913–1972). The novel was issued by the Spanish publishing house Editorial Molino. Mallorquí now started writing a series of extremely popular novels, with the character "El Coyote" in the head role, for Ediciones Cliper. Between September 1944 and late 1953 the hero appeared in a series of 192 pulp-like EL COYOTE novels, with several revival editions throughout the years. They covered 30 years of chronological adventures from 1851 (and earlier) until around 1876, or possibly later (the original Cliper novels were not published in strict chronological order). Cover illustrators were not always identical to inside illustrators. The novels (a Cliper edition already in 1947) – and the comics – were also glued in nice collections and sold in hardbound "limited bookform" (Forum had one with all its novels, and also one with the comics). The Spanish Editions Cliper (1944–1953) – the original editions (which also featured the very first novel, El Coyote) – 192 novels (originally 2.50 pesetas each – later 3 and 4), covers and insides illustrated by Francisco Batet (Pellejero). The first 120 "El Coyote" started with La vuelta del Coyote ("The return of El Coyote"), in September 1944. There also were 10 Numero Extra (often 6 pesetas – see below – including one Extra-Especial) – and finally 62 (4 and later 5 pesetas) "Nuevo Coyote" were published. Cid (1961–1964) with reeditions of above in one series (18,4x10,8 cm) illustrated by Jano (Francisco Fernández Zarza-Pérez) and possibly others. Bruguera (1968–1971) with 110 of the early novels (including nine Extras, but not the Especial) – with El proscrito de las lomas as the last (17,5x10,5 cm) illustrated by Antonio Bernal (Romero). Favencia (1973–1977) with the 192 novels (18x11 cm) illustrated by Jano, Carlos Prunés, Pedro Alferes Gonzales and others. Forum (1983–1984) with 96 reedited double volumes (19x14 cm) – covers illustrated by Salvador Fabá; insides by Julio Bosch and José María Bellalta. Planeta DeAgostini (2003–2004) with