Andrew A. Smith
Scripps Howard News Service
Dark Horse gives illustration great Milo Manara the library treatment
Milo Manara is one of Europe’s most famous artists, known for his beautiful women, meticulous craftsmanship, sweeping landscapes, storytelling skills and even pornography. He’s been reprinted in America before, but Dark Horse is doing it in a huge and comprehensive way, commensurate with the Italian artist’s international stature.
The Manara Library is a proposed series of nine hardback volumes, two of which have already been published. And, yes, they are flat-out gorgeous.
Volume One ($59.99) contains two of Manara’s most famous stories, “Indian Summer” and “Paper Man.” Both are American historical pieces tempered by tons of artistic license: “Indian Summer” involves a conflict between Native Americans and Puritans in numbers that never existed and with weapons they didn’t have; “Paper Man” borders on being a comedy, a Western with eccentric characters and relationships that are unlikely, to say the least. Both end in tragedy that is both poignant and sobering, and Manara’s skill is such that you will read them twice – once for the story, and again just to drool over the art.
But why listen to me? Here’s Frank Miller (300, Sin City), from his glowing Foreword: “Milo Manara must live in a beautiful world. He certainly shares one with us. His work is not coy nor nor cute nor pretty. It is a joyous gift, a celebration.” It goes on in that vein for quite a while, and it’s hagiography I agree with.
Another big name attached to Volume One is Hugo Pratt, who is the author of “Indian Summer.” He’s the creator and writer of “Corto Maltese,” the comics adventure character who’s been sailing the world’s seas – and been a popular international seller – since 1967. As noted, Pratt isn’t big on historical accuracy, but he can tell a slam-bang story.
I admit to two caveats. One is that no Manara story is ever safe for the kiddies; “Indian Summer” is predicated on a brutal rape, and both stories involve a lot of sex and half-clothed women. The other is that there is a disturbing thread of misogyny just below the surface of Manara’s work, as female characters are generally subordinate (if not outright owned) by the men. In some sense that’s historically accurate, as “women rights” was an oxymoron until the twentieth century. Or maybe, after decades of cumulative female objectification in American superhero comics, I’m a little hypersensitive. But I feel a little twinge of patriarchal guilt now and then, so there’s something there.
The Manara Library: Volume Two ($59.99) contains “El Gaucho” and a series of shorts under the umbrella title “Trial by Jury.” Another famous creator, Neil Gaiman, writes another enthusiastic (and insightful) Foreword.
“El Gaucho” is another historical piece written by Pratt, this one set in the early 1800s, as the British Navy is making inroads into Argentina in competition with Spain. Once again Manara’s gift for sweeping landscapes (and seascapes) is on full display, as are his beautiful women (mostly in the form of Irish prostitutes brought along to amuse the British officers). Unfortunately, once again any woman that shows any backbone is relentlessly crushed by the consequences, leaving my conscience uneasy. I’m hoping for a slew of legitimate – and successful – heroines in future volumes to balance the scales.
The “Trial by Jury” vignettes are imaginary prosecutions of famous historical figures (Nero, Helen of Troy, Hernán Cortés, etc.), drawn by Manara when he was only 24 for Il Corriere dei Ragazzi (Boys’ Courier) magazine. What’s fascinating here is that Manara had at this time yet to discover and incorporate Jean “Moebius” Giraud’s illustrative style into his own, and shows a strong Spanish influence instead. Admittedly, Manara’s art truly blossoms after he begins to ape Moebius, but here we see a strong foundation already in place that hints at the likes of Esteban Maroto. It’s not Manara’s best work, but it demonstrates incontrovertibly that he is not just a Moebius clone.
I mentioned Manara’s pornographic work, and Dark Horse will reprint that as well. Wisely, I think, they’re separating it out into the Manara Erotica Library, whose first volume arrives in May. Needless to say, if you’re offended by pornography, stick with the “main” Manara library.
And, by all means, check it out! Suggestions of misogyny aside, Manara’s illustrations are so powerful and sweeping that it’s easy to forget the story and just fall into his panels. As Miller says, Manara is sharing the world in his head, and it’s one where you can gaze at a field of grass for hours.
Contact Andrew A. Smith of the Memphis Commercial Appeal at capncomics@aol.com
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