Satanik
Encyclopedia
Satanik is an Italian
noir comic book created in December 1964 by Max Bunker
(writer) and Magnus
(artist), also the authors of the popular series Kriminal
and Alan Ford.
. One day, following a theory of a mad alchemist, she develops a drug which transforms her into a charming and fascinating red-haired woman: but, as in Stevenson
's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the drug has an unexpected side effect, making her a murderous criminal mastermind. Satanik was innovative in the fact she took advantage of her sex appeal to conduct her crimes, and some proto-erotic scenes appeared in the series. It showed also a broad range of horror and supernatural themes like vampires, evil ghosts and monsters. The series had several problems with censorship and some of the books were confiscated by authorities (like "Murder in the correction house").
The main antagonist of Satanik is the policeman Lt. Trent, whose companion Satanik had killed. After a ménage with the jewel trader Max Lincoln (#38-100), in the last numbers she gets engaged with Kriss Hunter, a black private detective. One of the villains of the series, the vampire Baron Wurdalak, who, due to his bumbling nature, later also appeared in the comedic-oriented series Alan Ford.
, in black and white digest format
, was published for ten years. Magnus left after Issue 161. Other artists who worked on the series include Giovanni Romanini and Franco Verola. The last Satanik comic book was Issue 231 of November 1974 , in which Satanik and her boyfriend seem to drown. Satanik was named Demoniak in France
, in order to avoid confusion with Killing
, which had been translated in French as Satanik.
In 1968
Satanik was adapted into a film directed by Piero Vivarelli, starring Magda Konopka
in the main role.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
noir comic book created in December 1964 by Max Bunker
Max Bunker
Max Bunker, pseudonym of Luciano Secchi is an Italian comic book author.Secchi was born in Milan. His career started with a western style comic book Maschera Nera , in 1962, and went on to enjoy success with Kriminal and Satanik in collaboration with Magnus...
(writer) and Magnus
Roberto Raviola
Magnus, pseudonym of Roberto Raviola, was an Italian comic book artist, regarded as one of the foremost cartoonists of all time in his country.-Biography:Born in Bologna in 1939, Raviola lived there for his whole life....
(artist), also the authors of the popular series 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 Alan Ford.
Synopsis
Satanik is Marny Bannister, a skilled female chemistry scientist whose face is marked by an unpleasant angiomaAngioma
Angiomas are benign tumors derived from cells of the vascular or lymphatic vessel walls or derived from cells of the tissues surrounding these vessels....
. One day, following a theory of a mad alchemist, she develops a drug which transforms her into a charming and fascinating red-haired woman: but, as in Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the drug has an unexpected side effect, making her a murderous criminal mastermind. Satanik was innovative in the fact she took advantage of her sex appeal to conduct her crimes, and some proto-erotic scenes appeared in the series. It showed also a broad range of horror and supernatural themes like vampires, evil ghosts and monsters. The series had several problems with censorship and some of the books were confiscated by authorities (like "Murder in the correction house").
The main antagonist of Satanik is the policeman Lt. Trent, whose companion Satanik had killed. After a ménage with the jewel trader Max Lincoln (#38-100), in the last numbers she gets engaged with Kriss Hunter, a black private detective. One of the villains of the series, the vampire Baron Wurdalak, who, due to his bumbling nature, later also appeared in the comedic-oriented series Alan Ford.
Publication history
The comic bookComic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
, in black and white digest format
Digest size
Digest size is a magazine size, smaller than a conventional or "journal size" magazine but larger than a standard paperback book, approximately 5½ x 8¼ inches, but can also be 5⅜ x 8⅜ inches and 5½ x 7½ inches. These sizes have evolved from the printing press operation end...
, was published for ten years. Magnus left after Issue 161. Other artists who worked on the series include Giovanni Romanini and Franco Verola. The last Satanik comic book was Issue 231 of November 1974 , in which Satanik and her boyfriend seem to drown. Satanik was named Demoniak in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, in order to avoid confusion with Killing
Killing (comics)
Killing is an Italian photo comic series featuring an eponymous character. The series was entitled Satanik in the French edition, Kiling in Argentina as well as being published in Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Germany and Venezuela...
, which had been translated in French as Satanik.
In 1968
1968 in film
The year 1968 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 30 - The film The Lion in Winter, starring Katharine Hepburn, debuts.* November 1 - The MPAA's film rating system is introduced.-Top grossing films :- Awards :...
Satanik was adapted into a film directed by Piero Vivarelli, starring Magda Konopka
Magda Konopka
Magda Konopka is a Polish former model and actress. She was born in Warsaw.-Filmography:* Becket * Thrilling * Sette monaci d'oro * Pleasant Nights...
in the main role.