The ruthless thief Diabolik turns 61. In fact, it was November 1, 1962 when the very first issue of Diabolik, a comic created by Angela e Luciana giussani and initially published by the Milanese publishing house Astorina.
The newspaper chose a for its publication new pocket booklet format which soon became famous and imitated. The Giussani sisters chose this format presumably to satisfy frequent travelers to the Milan station, making the comic easily portable in their pockets at the end of their trips.
The Giussani sisters created a new genre of comics, known as “Italian black comic,” which deviated from a common cliché in the comics where the protagonists were mainly positive heroes. With Diabolik, they challenged this convention by introducing a protagonist from more complex and ambiguous characteristics.
Diabolik, in fact, is not only a ruthless thief but also stood out for his willingness to kill, betray or lie when necessary and for his ability to resort to any stratagem to survive.
A true icon
The imaginary thief was immediately a great success and in a short time it has conquered an increasingly wider audience of readers and enthusiasts, becoming over time one true icon in the collective imagination, to the point of being also translated abroad.
Diabolik it was published without interruption and has exceeded 900 numbers in 2022 with more than 150 million copies sold. The first issues of the series achieved high prices on the collector's market.
Even today Diabolik is very popular in Italy with a very large fan base. His figure is considered one of the most iconic of Italian pop culture.
The first issue: “the King of Terror”
Diabolik it was published on newsstands at the price of 150 lire with the title “The King of Terror”. In the first issue of the comic, his rival and alter ego, theInspector Ginko. The beautiful Eva Kant, however, appeared in the third episode of the comic, entitled “The arrest of Diabolik”.
Already from the first issue, the features which make the character immediately recognisable: he is a skilled thief, expert in chemistry and capable of creating extraordinary disguises. However, he also has a strict code of honor that drives him to protect the weakest.
The character of Diabolik has underwent a transformation over the years, evolving from a vicious criminal to a brilliant and more humane thief. A change also highlighted by his partnership with his legendary partner Eva Kant.
Diabolik character
The character of Diabolik is initially an extremely ruthless thief and murderer who almost always manages to carry out his criminal plans. First engaged to Elisabeth Gay, he then met Eva Kant, becoming her life partner and accomplice in carrying out daring robberies on rich families, banks and individuals who often enriched themselves illicitly. Using the proceeds of the robberies, the two ensured a comfortable life and financed new complex criminal plans.
As time goes by, the character of Diabolik has developed its own morality, becoming more human but still maintaining his criminal nature. Eva Kant also underwent an evolution, going from a submissive lover to an indispensable accomplice.
Diabolik is a criminal genius, with exceptional skills in disguise, assassination, stealth techniques, as well as an expert tactician, strategist, hypnotist, polyglot and equipped with extraordinary analytical and deduction skills. He also has an eidetic memory.
The setting
The Diabolik comic is set in a fictitious place called Clerville, which is presumably located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the French department of Var. Clerville is the capital of this imaginary state and borders other fictional pure nations such as Beglait, Rennert, Ferland, Banglait, and Wilburg. Clerville has a maritime part with a port in Ghenf and some small tourist islands, while in the hinterland, flat, mountainous (the Great Vernan Chain) and lake areas alternate (Lake Cristallo east of Clerville).
Diabolik at the cinema
Diabolik has become an icon of Italian comics and has spawned numerous adaptations in various media, including films, television series, and novels.
Diabolik was brought onto the the big screen on several occasions, including Mario Bava's famous 1968 film and the documentary entitled “Diabolik is me” by Giancarlo Soldi in 2019. In recent years, however, the trilogy directed by Manetti Bros with the films Diabolik (2021) Diabolik – Ginko on the attack! (2022) and Diabolik – Who are you? (2023). The thief has the face of Luca Marinelli in the first film and Giacomo Gianniotti in the last two.
