Despite being one of the longest-running comic series on the planet, Diabolik remains unknown to the Western World. Since 1962, more than 900 volumes of Diabolik have been released, becoming one of the world's most popular Italian comic series. Diabolik has been adapted into television shows (including a 2000 cartoon on Fox Kids), several video games, and movies, including the recently released Diabolik: Who Are You? in 2023.

Yet, most Western audiences have likely never even heard of the Diabolik character. For all intents and purposes, the title character has enough mainstream exposure outside of comics to be a household name across the globe. Marvel and DC characters with the same pedigree have managed to achieve worldwide notability by the same means.