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Italian comics are comics made in Italy. Comics (via Latin from the Greek "" kōmikos, of or pertaining to "comedy" from kōmos "revel" They are locally know as Fumetto, although this latter term is often used in English to describe a specific comic genre (see Fumetti). Fumetti (or photo novels) are a genre of Comics illustrated with Photographs rather than drawings. The most popular Italian comics have been translated into many languages. The term fumetto (literally little puff of smoke) refers to the balloon that contains the dialogs. As such, it is a more appropriate nomenclature than the American comics which implies funny stories, and precisely pinpoints what makes comics such a unique art form: the seamless integration of images and words.

Contents

History

Unlike American comics that were born as daily strips in newspapers, Italian fumetto has its roots in periodicals aimed at younger readers and in the satirical publications of the 19th century. An American comic book is a small Magazine originating in the United States and containing a Narrative in the Comics form These magazines published cartoons and illustrations for educational and propagandistic purposes. The first illustrated satirical publication appears in 1848: it's a daily paper named L'Arlecchino published in Naples. Year 1848 ( MDCCCXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap Other noteworthy examples of satirical papers of the period include Lo Spirito Folletto published in Milan, Turin's Il Fischietto and Il Fanfulla, that is established in Rome in 1872. Year 1872 ( MDCCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year As far as publications for kids, some of the most significant titles of the period are Il Giornale per i Fanciulli (1834), Il Giovinetto Italiano (1849), and Il Giornale dei Bambini (1881). Year 1834 ( MDCCCXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Year 1849 ( MDCCCXLIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1881 ( MDCCCLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common In 1899 Il Novellino debuts: the paper will be the first to publish Outcault's Yellow Kid in Italy in 1904. Year 1899 ( MDCCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Yellow Kid emerged as the lead character in Hogan's Alley drawn by Richard F Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on But the first Italian comic will not appear until four years later.

The birth of Italian Comics

In December 27, 1908 Italian newsstands saw the first issue of Il Corriere dei Piccoli, the first mainstream publication primarily dedicated to comics. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Corriere dei Piccoli ( Italian for "Courier of the Little Ones" nicknamed Corrierino ("Little Courier" was an influential The first issue introduced readers to the adventures of Bilbolbul, a little black kid drawn by Attilio Mussino that is considered the first Italian comic character. Despite being officially considered the birthplace of fumetto, the Corrierino, as it is nicknamed, doesn't use balloons in the stories that it publishes, opting instead for captions in verse. Regardless, the sequential narration and the returning characters make the publication rightfully the first Italian comic magazine. Il Corrierino introduced American comics to the Italian audience; however, it was edited to replace balloons with captions. Following its spectacular success (it will reach 700. 000 copies), several other periodicals appeared during the following years: Il Giornaletto (1910), Donnina (1914), L'Intrepido (1920) and Piccolo mondo (1924). Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Fumetto during Fascism

The fascist regime was quick to recognize the potential for propaganda through the new medium. During the '20s several periodicals published educational comics for Italian youth, including Il Giornale dei Balilla (1923) and La piccola italiana (1927). Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Beginning January 1, 1939 the publication of foreign comics was forbidden, and the Italian material was required to follow a strict standard, exalting heroism, patriotism and the superiority of the Italian race. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. To work around these restrictions, some publishers simply renamed American heroes with Italian names. The only exception to the censorship was Topolino, the Italian name for Mickey Mouse, published by Nerbini starting in December 31, 1931. Mickey Mouse is a comic animal Cartoon character who has become an icon for The Walt Disney Company. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Apparently, the reason behind this special treatment for Walt Disney's character was Mussolini's children passion for the little mouse. Walter Elias Disney (December 5 1901 – December 15 1966 was a multiple Academy Award -winning American Film producer, director, Screenwriter In 1932 Milan publisher Lotario Vecchi started Jumbo, a weekly magazine that many consider the first true Italian comics publication. Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. Jumbo The Elephant ( 1861 - September 15, 1885) was a very large African bush elephant, born 1861 in French Sudan, imported to The magazine reached a circulation of 350. 000 copies, sanctioning comics as a mainstream medium with broad appeal. In 1935 Nerbini sold Topolino to Mondadori, which published it with great success until 1988. Year 1935 ( MCMXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, ( Borsa Italiana: MNDI is the second biggest Publishing company in Italy. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) In 1937 Il Vittorioso appeared, a Catholic magazine entirely composed of Italian comics. Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It was an attempt to compete with similar secular publications like L'Avventuroso (1934), Il Monello (1933) and L'Audace (1937). Year 1934 ( MCMXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

After WWII: Bonelli and the Rise of the Comic Book

The end of World War II marked a flur of activity in the Italian comic press: many titles that were forced to suspend publication during the war come back to saturate the newsstands, joined by new publications often backed by improvised publishers looking for a quick buck. Finally this oversupply of comic material resulted in a crisis of the traditional comic magazine. Among the numerous publications of the period were L'Avventura (1944), a Roman magazine that presented American adventure strips like Mandrake, L'Uomo Mascherato (The Phantom), Flash Gordon. Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Flash Gordon is the hero of a Science fiction adventure Comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond, which was first published on January 7, Another Roman publication appeared in 1945: Robinson, a first attempt to target a more adult audience. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar It introduced several American characters like Prince Valiant, Tarzan, Secret Agent X-9, Rip Kirby, Li'l Abner and Dick Tracy. Prince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur, or simply Prince Valiant, is a Comic strip created by Hal Foster. Tarzan is a Fictional character, an archetypal Feral child raised in the African jungle by Apes who later returns to civilization only to Secret Agent X-9 was a comic strip begun by writer Dashiell Hammett ( The Maltese Falcon) and artist Alex Raymond ( Flash Rip Kirby was a Comic strip featuring an Eponymous character created by Alex Raymond in 1946 Li'l Abner was a Satirical American Comic strip appearing in many newspapers in the United States and Canada, featuring a fictional Dick Tracy is a long-running Comic strip featuring a popular and familiar character in American Pop culture. Robinson lasted until 1947, publishing 90 issues. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

In 1945, one of the most original magazines of the period was born: L' asso di Picche published in Venice as a result of the work of a group of young venetian artists including Alberto Ongaro, Damiano Damiani, Dino Battaglia, Rinaldo D'Ami and above all Hugo Pratt. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Venice ( Italian: Venezia, Venetian: Venesia or Venexia) is a city in Northern Italy, the capital of the Damiano Damiani (born 23 July 1922) an Italian Screenwriter, Film director, actor and writer Dino Battaglia ( August 1, 1923 - October 4, 1983) was an Italian comic artist noted for a distinctive and expressive style best known for his Hugo Eugenio Pratt ( June 15, 1927 – August 20, 1995) was an Italian Comic book creator who combined his strong storytelling Their distinctive approach to the art form earned them the name of venetian school of comics. Among the characters created for the magazine were Pratt's L'Asso di Picche, Battaglia's Junglemen, Draky and Robin Hood.

Inspired by the success of the Catholic Il Vittorioso, the Italian communist party decided to exploit the comic medium for their own propaganda: in 1949 Il Pioniere was born. Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Aimed at a very young audience, the new publication presented fantasy material as well as adventures, with an eye to the social issues of the period.

In 1954 Il Disco Volante began publication. Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) It is the Italian version of British weekly Eagle, and introduced Dan Dare to the Italian public. Dan Dare is a classic British Science fiction comic hero created by illustrator Frank Hampson. In 1955 Tintin appeared, adapted from the French Le Journal de Tintin, which first presented Franco-Belgian comics to the Italian public. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) Le journal de Tintin (in its French-speaking version Kuifje ( Dutch-speaking version was a weekly Belgian comics magazine Franco-Belgian comics are Comics that are created in Belgium and France.

But the most significant phenomenon of the period was the appearance of comics books. Printed in a variety of formats, from strip size to booklets to giant size, they presented collected stories from the periodicals as well as new adventures of Italian characters. It is on the comic books pages that heroes made in Italy gained popularity, eventually overshadowing their American counterparts.

Among the host of Italian series that were created during these years, Tex Willer is without doubt the most renowned. Tex Willer is a Italian comics series featuring the character of the same name created by writer Gian Luigi Bonelli and illustrator Aurelio Galleppini Born on September 30, 1948, from the imagination of Gian Luigi Bonelli and from the pencil of Aurelio Galleppini, Tex Willer would become the model for a line of publications centered around the popular comic book format that became known as Bonelliano, from the name of the publisher. Events 1399 - Henry IV is proclaimed King of England. 1744 - France and Spain defeat the Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Giovanni Luigi Bonelli ( December 22, 1908 – January 12, 2001) was an Italian comic book author and writer Aurelio Galleppini (b August 28, 1917, &ndash d March 10, 1994, Chiavari) better known with his nickname Galep, was These comic books presented complete stories in 100+ black and white pages in a pocket book format. The subject matter was always adventure, whether western, horror, mystery or science fiction. The bonelliani are to date the most popular form of comics in the country.

Some of the series that followed Tex Willer were Zagor (1961), a tomahawk wielding hero who protects the imaginary Darkwood forest in eastern US, Il Comandante Mark (1966), featuring a soldier in the American independence war, and more recently Mister No (1975), about an American pilot who operates a small tourist flying agency in the Amazonian jungle, and Martin Mystère (1982), featuring an anthropologist/archaeologist/art historian who investigates paranormal phenomena and archaeological mysteries. For Zagor The Warlock of Firetop Mountain see The Warlock of Firetop Mountain. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A tomahawk is a type of Axe native to North America traditionally resembling a Hatchet with a straight shaft Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. Mister No is an Italian comic book, first published in Italy in 1975 by Sergio Bonelli Editore. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Martin Mystère is an Italian comic book. Created by writer Alfredo Castelli and drawn by Giancarlo Alessandrini, it was first published in Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar)

Another popular series, Diabolik featuring a criminal mastermind, was published since the 1960s, influenced later series such as Kriminal and Satanik. Diabolik is a Fictional character, an Anti-hero featured in Italian comics. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 Kriminal is an Italian comics series featuring an Eponymous Fictional character, created in 1964 by Magnus and Max Bunker Satanik is an Italian noir comic book created in December 1964 by Max Bunker (writer and Magnus (artist also the authors of The latter created in the 1960s by one of the most famous duos of comics history, Magnus & Bunker, whose most outstanding creation was however the humorous espionage series Alan Ford (1969). The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 Magnus, pseudonym of Roberto Raviola, ( May 30, 1939 - February 5, 1996) was an Italian Comic book artist, regarded Max Bunker, pseudonym of Luciano Secchi (born 24 August, 1939) is an Italian Comic book author Alan Ford is an Italian comic book created by Max Bunker (Luciano Secchi and Magnus (Roberto Raviola in print since 1969 Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Another famous author of humouristic strips is Franco Bonvicini, whose Sturmtruppen met a wide success abroad. Franco Bonvicini, also known as Bonvi, ( March 31, 1941 - December 10, 1995) was an Italian Sturmtruppen is a successful Italian series of Anti-war Comic books written and drawn by Bonvi

Though read by a more restricted audience, in the past years the comics series which met the greatest critical success are Corto Maltese, by Hugo Pratt, and Valentina by Guido Crepax. Corto Maltese is a Comics series featuring an Eponymous character a complex sailor-adventurer Valentina is one of the most influential European Comics series created in 1965 by the Italian artist Guido Crepax. Guido Crepax (born Guido Crepas, Milan, July 15, 1933 - July 31, 2003) was an Italian comics artist While the former is a kind of summa of the evolution into an adult form of the classic adventure comics, the latter gave birth to that special kind of erotic comics quite typical of the Italian scene, and whose main pupils are today Milo Manara and Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri. Milo Manara, byname of Maurilio Manara (born September 12, 1945 in Luson, Bolzano-Bozen) is an Italian Comic book Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri ( February 29, 1944, Venice) is an Italian Comic book writer and illustrator noted for his works of highly

Disney Italia

Italy also produces many stories featuring Disney's characters (from Mickey Mouse's and Donald Duck's universes, not feature film classics such as Cinderella). After the 60's, American artists of Disney comics, such as Walt Disney himself, Carl Barks, Floyd Gottfredson, did not produce as many stories as in the past. At present American production of new stories has dwindled (Don Rosa himself publishes in Europe), and this niche has been filled by companies in South America, Denmark and Italy. The Italian 'Scuola disneyana' has produced several innovations: building the Italian standard length for stories (30 pages), reinterpreting famous works of literature in 'Parodie', writing long stories up to 400 pages. Among the most important artists and authors are Marco Rota, Romano Scarpa, Giorgio Cavazzano, Giovan Battista Carpi, Guido Martina. The best known Disney character created in Italy is 'Paperinik' (known as Duck Avenger or Phantom Duck to Enlgish audiences).

Italy prints around 8000 pages of new Disney stories per year, exported worldwide (it makes up 50% of the total production). The main publication, 'Topolino', prints only new stories every week, but there exist 32 different series of reprints going on, for 30 millions of copies sold each year. In the last 10 years Disney Italia produced innovative series like PK (Paperinik stories with an American superheroes flavour), W. I. T. C. H. or Monster Allergy.

Famous authors

Famous comics

Links

External links

Gianfranco Goria is an Italian cartoonist script-writer Disney creator and journalist
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