Anti heroes

Arsene Lupin is an anti -hero - a cocky thief who blends in with French society only to steal all their belongings. Written by Maurice Leblanc, these books have been translated into English and are available for free online since their loyalties have long expired.

Arsene is set in France of early 1900, Lupin is a celebrated thief because of his audacity and cleverness in hood winking the authorities. Unlike Leslie Charteris' Simon Templar, the money is solely for Lupin's empire building.

Simon Templar aka The Saint is a character of the 1960s who donates part of his takings to charity. The earlier Simon Templar books portray a debonair, devil may care, risk taking Robin Hood character. Later books sees a more mature Simon travelling the world.

Although on the wrong side of the law, both Lupin and Templar are not necessarily baddies. The law is portrayed as ineffectual and blindly zealous. These anti heroes are taking advantage of this and because they are clever and risk takers, they succeed.