As he leads the double life, a copycat vigilante begins stalking the streets, using a distinctive .45 caliber Luger pistol.

In 2007, a film based on the novel, though a completely different storyline, was made, starring Kevin Bacon and directed by James Wan.

He felt upset that the film's audience was encouraged by the violence and vigilantism, despite the story being against both topics in his book, in which Charles Bronson agrees with.

Paul was originally depicted in the novel as something of a pacifist weakling with no previous life experience dealing with issues of revenge or violence.

Bronson noted that, given he was really known better as a customary Hollywood tough guy, he was ill-suited for the part, saying, "I was really a miscast person.