Milo Manara
Encyclopedia
Maurilio Manara – known professionally as Milo Manara – (born September 12, 1945 in Lüsen (Luson)
, South Tyrol
) is an Italian
comic book writer and artist
, best known for his erotic
approach to the medium.
and painting
studies, he made his comics debut in 1969 drawing for Genius, a Fumetti neri
series of pocket books from publisher Furio Vanio in the wake of the popularity of Kriminal
and Satanik
. In 1970 he illustrated for the magazine Terror, and starting in 1971 drew the erotic series Jolanda de Almaviva written by Francisco Rubino, issued in small format by publisher Erregi. Joining the youth magazine , he worked with Rubino, Carlo Barbieri, Mino Milani and Silverio Pisú. With Pisú Manara launched the publications and in 1974 and the series , and with writer Mino Milani the series in 1975. Manara and Pisú later went on to publish Lo Scimmiotto (The Ape) along the story of the Chinese Monkey King
in Alter Linus
in 1976, and with Alfredo Castelli
, L'Uomo delle Nevi (The Snowman) in 1978.
During this period Manara began publishing work in several Franco-Belgian comics magazines
including Charlie Mensuel
, Pilote
and L'Écho des savanes
. For (A SUIVRE)
Manara created the first stories featuring HP and Giuseppe Bergman, which grew to become a large body of work. The character "HP" is based on Manara's friend, the Italian comics creator Hugo Pratt
, and a collaborator on some of Manara's most acclaimed work, initially (1983, Indian Summer) and later El Gaucho (1991). Manara also completed two stories working with another of his heroes, Federico Fellini
. In his own right Manara has been commended on his skills as a scenarist, as with the western (1982, The Paper Man).
Manara's reputation for producing comics that revolve around elegant, beautiful women caught up in unlikely and fantastical erotic scenarios became solidified with work such as (1983, also known as Click or Le Déclic), about a device which renders women helplessly aroused, (1986, Butterscotch), introducing the heroine Miele (Honey) and a sweet-smelling body-paint which makes the wearer invisible, and Candid camera (1988, Hidden Camera) featuring the same protagonist in further explicit adventures. In the following years of combining sequels, original work and collaborations with noted creators, Manara's production continued in this direction to explore erotic comics themes with an artistic and storytelling expression in a manner considered unique to Manara.
In the U.S. The Ape was serialised in Heavy Metal
in the early 1980s and Manara received some exposure through collaborations with Neil Gaiman
and other artists. Curiously, Manara does not enjoy the popularity in his native Italy that exists in France, where he is considered one of the most important comics creators in the world.
, specifically made for the Italian GP in Mugello. Rossi declared:
In 2003, Manara's work featured on the cover of Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro's second studio album "The Vertigo of Bliss". Manara also created the artwork for all the singles released from this album.
In October 2006, Manara developed character designs for the animated television series City Hunters
. The series, of ten 11 minute episodes, blends traditional animation techniques with modern CGI
, to be broadcast across all of Latin America on the FOX network throughout 2006 and 2007.
Manara pencilled an X-Men
project written by Chris Claremont
for Marvel Comics. X-Men: Ragazze in fuga was released in April 2009 in Italy; in July 2010, the book was released in the United States, titled as X-Women.
Footnotes
Lüsen
Lüsen is a comune in South Tyrol, located about 90 km northeast of the city of Trento and about 40 km northeast of the city of Bolzano.-Geography:As of 30 November 2010, it had a population of 1,543 and an area of 74.2 km²....
, South Tyrol
South Tyrol
South Tyrol , also known by its Italian name Alto Adige, is an autonomous province in northern Italy. It is one of the two autonomous provinces that make up the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The province has an area of and a total population of more than 500,000 inhabitants...
) is an Italian
Italian comics
Italian comics are comics made in Italy. They are locally known as fumetto – plural form fumetti – although this latter term is often used in English to describe a specific comic genre . The most popular Italian comics have been translated into many languages...
comic book writer and artist
Comic book creator
A comic book creator is someone who creates a comic book or graphic novel.The production of a comic book by one of the major comic book companies in the U.S...
, best known for his erotic
Erotic art
Erotic art covers any artistic work that is intended to evoke erotic arousal or that depicts scenes of love-making. It includes paintings, engravings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, music and writing.-Definition:...
approach to the medium.
Career
After architectureArchitecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
studies, he made his comics debut in 1969 drawing for Genius, a Fumetti neri
Fumetti neri
Fumetti Neri is a subgenre of Italian comics, born in Italy with the creation of the Diabolik character.The heroes of fumetti neri are more anti-hero or villain than traditional heroes. Diabolik itself was very loosely based on the French Fantômas character...
series of pocket books from publisher Furio Vanio in the wake of the popularity of Kriminal
Kriminal
Kriminal is an Italian comics series featuring an eponymous fictional character, created in 1964 by Magnus and Max Bunker, the authors of Alan Ford, Maxmagnus and Satanik.-Characters:...
and Satanik
Satanik
Satanik is an Italian noir comic book created in December 1964 by Max Bunker and Magnus , also the authors of the popular series Kriminal and Alan Ford.-Synopsis:...
. In 1970 he illustrated for the magazine Terror, and starting in 1971 drew the erotic series Jolanda de Almaviva written by Francisco Rubino, issued in small format by publisher Erregi. Joining the youth magazine , he worked with Rubino, Carlo Barbieri, Mino Milani and Silverio Pisú. With Pisú Manara launched the publications and in 1974 and the series , and with writer Mino Milani the series in 1975. Manara and Pisú later went on to publish Lo Scimmiotto (The Ape) along the story of the Chinese Monkey King
Sun Wukong
Sun Wukong , also known as the Monkey King is a main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West . In the novel, he is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices...
in Alter Linus
Linus (magazine)
Linus is an Italian comics magazine. The first number was published in April 1965 by Milano Libri, a subsidiary of Rizzoli. It is currently published by Baldini & Castoldi in monthly issues....
in 1976, and with Alfredo Castelli
Alfredo Castelli
Alfredo Castelli is an Italian comic book author and writer.-Biography:Born in Milan, Castelli began his comic book career at an early age, creating the strip Scheletrino, a humor series for Italian comic book Diabolik, when he was only 16 years old.In 1966, with Paolo Sala, he created Comics Club...
, L'Uomo delle Nevi (The Snowman) in 1978.
During this period Manara began publishing work in several Franco-Belgian comics magazines
Franco-Belgian comics magazines
Belgium and France have a long tradition in comics. They have a common history for comics and magazines.In the early years of its history, magazines had a large place on the comics market and were often the only place where comics were published. Most of them were kids-targeted.In the 1970s,...
including Charlie Mensuel
Charlie Mensuel
Charlie Mensuel was a French monthly comics magazine. Its publication began in February 1969, and ceased in February 1986.-History:...
, Pilote
Pilote
thumb|Cover of the first Pilote teaser issue, #0.Pilote was a French comics periodical published from 1959 to 1989. Showcasing most of the major French or Belgian comics talents of its day the magazine introduced major series such as Astérix le Gaulois, Blueberry, Achille Talon, and Valérian et...
and L'Écho des savanes
L'Écho des savanes
L’Écho des Savanes is a French comics magazine founded in May 1972 by Claire Bretécher, Marcel Gotlib and Nikita Mandryka. It featured the work of French and international authors and graphic artists in mature-oriented comics over the course of 34 years, but temporarily ended publication in...
. For (A SUIVRE)
À Suivre
or was a Franco-Belgian comics magazine published from February 1978 to December 1997 by the Casterman publishing house....
Manara created the first stories featuring HP and Giuseppe Bergman, which grew to become a large body of work. The character "HP" is based on Manara's friend, the Italian comics creator Hugo Pratt
Hugo Pratt
Hugo Eugenio Pratt was an Italian comic book creator who was known for combining strong storytelling with extensive historical research on works such as Corto Maltese...
, and a collaborator on some of Manara's most acclaimed work, initially (1983, Indian Summer) and later El Gaucho (1991). Manara also completed two stories working with another of his heroes, Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , was an Italian film director and scriptwriter. Known for a distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images, he is considered one of the most influential and widely revered filmmakers of the 20th century...
. In his own right Manara has been commended on his skills as a scenarist, as with the western (1982, The Paper Man).
Manara's reputation for producing comics that revolve around elegant, beautiful women caught up in unlikely and fantastical erotic scenarios became solidified with work such as (1983, also known as Click or Le Déclic), about a device which renders women helplessly aroused, (1986, Butterscotch), introducing the heroine Miele (Honey) and a sweet-smelling body-paint which makes the wearer invisible, and Candid camera (1988, Hidden Camera) featuring the same protagonist in further explicit adventures. In the following years of combining sequels, original work and collaborations with noted creators, Manara's production continued in this direction to explore erotic comics themes with an artistic and storytelling expression in a manner considered unique to Manara.
In the U.S. The Ape was serialised in Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal (magazine)
Heavy Metal is an American science fiction and fantasy comics magazine, known primarily for its blend of dark fantasy/science fiction and erotica. In the mid-1970s, while publisher Leonard Mogel was in Paris to jump-start the French edition of National Lampoon, he discovered the French...
in the early 1980s and Manara received some exposure through collaborations with Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
and other artists. Curiously, Manara does not enjoy the popularity in his native Italy that exists in France, where he is considered one of the most important comics creators in the world.
Later work
In connection with their joint project Quarantasei, in July 2006, Manara designed a helmet for Moto GP rider Valentino RossiValentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi, , is an Italian professional motorcycle racer and multiple MotoGP World Champion. He is one of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time, with nine Grand Prix World Championships to his name – seven of which are in the premier class.Following his father, Graziano Rossi,...
, specifically made for the Italian GP in Mugello. Rossi declared:
In 2003, Manara's work featured on the cover of Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro's second studio album "The Vertigo of Bliss". Manara also created the artwork for all the singles released from this album.
In October 2006, Manara developed character designs for the animated television series City Hunters
City Hunters
"City Hunters" is an animated TV series developed in Argentina that premiered throughout Latin Americaon October 2006 on the Fox network. The series, which blends traditional animation techniques with the latest generation of CGI, consists of nine 11-minute episodes."City Hunters" is a form of...
. The series, of ten 11 minute episodes, blends traditional animation techniques with modern CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
, to be broadcast across all of Latin America on the FOX network throughout 2006 and 2007.
Manara pencilled an X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
project written by Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont is an award-winning American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on Uncanny X-Men, far longer than any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters, and with introducing complex literary themes into superhero...
for Marvel Comics. X-Men: Ragazze in fuga was released in April 2009 in Italy; in July 2010, the book was released in the United States, titled as X-Women.
Adaptations
- Series
- Click (1997 IMDb)
- City HuntersCity Hunters"City Hunters" is an animated TV series developed in Argentina that premiered throughout Latin Americaon October 2006 on the Fox network. The series, which blends traditional animation techniques with the latest generation of CGI, consists of nine 11-minute episodes."City Hunters" is a form of...
(2006, animated TV series created by Gastón Gorali & Alberto Stagnaro)
- Films
Awards
- 1978: Yellow Kid and Gran Guinigi prize for an Italian artist
- 1998: Harvey Awards: Inducted into the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame
- 2004: Eisner AwardEisner AwardThe Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
, with various artists for Best Anthology, for The Sandman: Endless Nights
Sources
- Manara publications in (A SUIVRE) Pilote, L'Écho des Savanes and BoDoï BDoubliées
- Manara albums Bedetheque
- Manara publications in English www.europeancomics.net
Footnotes
External links
- Milo Manara site on Casterman
- Milo Manara biography on Lambiek Comiclopedia
- Milo Manara biography on Comiqueando online
- Manara Eurotica catalog NBM Graphic Novels publisher
- La Mansarda di Miele (Honey's Attic)
- How to draw a sexy girl by Milo Manara Video on YouTube