The series is named after its protagonist, an anti-heroic thief, inspired by several previous pulp fiction characters from Italy and other countries.

The series takes place in the fictional town Clerville and stars the titular Diabolik, initially represented as a ruthless and cruel thief who does not hesitate to murder anyone in order to accomplish his deeds, aided by his partner and lover Eva Kant.

Over time, the character evolved his personality, developing healthy roots and ethical principles such as honor, the sense of friendship and gratitude, and respect for noble souls.

Its success has also inspired a radio show, an animated television series, video games, novels, and countless parodies.

Co-creator Angela Giussani, who lived near Milano Cadorna railway station, thought of making comics in a format designed for travelling and carrying in one's pocket.

To better understand the tastes of her potential readers, Angela made a survey of the market, from which she concluded that many commuters read mystery novels.

He was later given a more "Robin Hood"-like persona and was shown stealing essentially from criminals, in order to soften the series’ violence and amorality.

From issue #3 of the series, Diabolik is aided by his "moll", Eva Kant, who has gained an increasing role as his partner and lover.

Graphically inspired by the actor Robert Taylor, he usually wears a skintight black body suit that leaves only his eyes and eyebrows (very distinctive ones) exposed when going "into action".

Eva drives a white Jaguar, and unusually goes into action wearing a heavy sweater and pants, no mask and no revealing clothing.

Diabolik carries various radio-controlled equipment, that trigger specific objects into helping him, placed over Clerville (for example: traffic lights to create green waves, sprinklers that spray black paint onto incoming police cars, train ramps).

Another of Diabolik's trademarks is his photorealistic masks of a specially designed plastic that he uses to impersonate his victims or enemies, and he has used a multitude of them to help him.

The main bulk of the artwork is executed by Sergio Zaniboni, who has been drawing Diabolik since 1969 (lately sharing the role with Giorgio Montorio) until his death.

Other artists working on the series include Brenno Fiumali, Franco Paludetti, Enzo Facciolo and Lino Jeva.

Diabolik was translated into Tamil and introduced to India in December 1987 by Prakash Publishers under their imprint Lion Comics.

Based on the positive response for the story arc and the style, in December 2013, Diabolik made his third appearance in Operation Tornado.

The series featured Diabolik and his companion Eva, as they fought and gradually exposed the Brotherhood and Dane, while evading Inspector Ginko.

The popularity of Diabolik spurred a long series of characters directly or indirectly inspired to him, generally noticeable by the "criminalizing K" in their name; some of them are a kind of satire.

[26] In real life, Matteo Messina Denaro, a prominent figure in the Sicilian Mafia who was considered to be a candidate to become the next capo di tutti capi, was nicknamed "Diabolik", after the comic book character.