Zagor
Encyclopedia
Zagor is an Italian comic book
created by editor and writer Sergio Bonelli
(pseudonym Guido Nolitta) and artist Gallieno Ferri
. Zagor was first published In Italy by Sergio Bonelli Editore
in 1961.
character living in an imaginary forest named Darkwood, located in Pennsylvania
, north eastern United States
. His name Zagor comes from its Indian
name "Za-Gor Te-Nay", whose fictional meaning is "The Spirit with the Hatchet". Though the writers don't mention exact dates, Zagor is supposed to be active during the first half of the 19th century, or around 1825–1830. Zagor fights to maintain peace over all his territory, protect the Indian tribes and hunt down criminals. Son of an army official retiring to live as a pioneer and trapper in the forests of the north-east, Patrick Wilding sees his parents die at the hands of a band of Abenaki Indians, led by Salomon Kinsky. Taken in by the middle-aged trapper nicknamed "Wandering Fitzy", the boy grows up with only one thought on his mind: revenge. Fitzy teaches him how to make a deadly weapon out of a hatchet, and when he is old enough to fulfill this he finds out that his father had himself slaughtered many Indians, and the boy's understanding of the relativity of the concepts of good, evil and justice compels him to transform himself (with his accomplices the Sullivans, a family of acrobats who are his image makers) into Za-Gor-Te-Nay. Better still, shortened, Zagor. He is a kind of avenger always ready to side with the weak and the oppressed, whether red, white or black, whoever they may be. Moving his shack to an island surrounded by quick-sand in a marshy area of Darkwood Forest, Zagor begins his work as a peacemaker. Zagor isn't your typical western character, there's a mix of horror and sci-fi side by side with a bit of humour coming mostly from his sidekick Chico, a short, fat Mexican man who became his best friend. His full name is "Don" Chico Felipe Cayetano Lopez Martinez y Gonzales.
Even though Zagor is popular in Italy, it is even more popular in Croatia
and Serbia
, where it is being published to this day, being also published in other former Yugoslav republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina
, Macedonia
and Slovenia
. In former Yugoslavia, Zagor was published by Serbian Dnevnik in its Zlatna Serija edition from 1968. Although not as popular, Zagor comics are also published in Austria
.
Zagor is one of the most popular comic heroes in Turkey
since the 1960s. Three unofficial Zagor movies have been produced in Turkey
during 1970's. Zagor was also published in Greece
and in Israel
in the 1970s, where, during that time, Tex Willer
was published as well.
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...
created by editor and writer Sergio Bonelli
Sergio Bonelli
Sergio Bonelli was an Italian comic book author and publisher.Sergio Bonelli was born in Milan, the son of Gian Luigi Bonelli, the creator of Tex Willer and many other Italian comic strips. In order to distinguish himself from his father, he usually wrote his scripts under the pen name Guido Nolitta...
(pseudonym Guido Nolitta) and artist Gallieno Ferri
Gallieno Ferri
Gallieno Ferri , is an Italian comic book artist and illustrator.In 1960 Ferri met writer Sergio Bonelli and they created the comic book Zagor. Ferri illustrated Zagor from the first issue, drawing numerous stories...
. Zagor was first published In Italy by Sergio Bonelli Editore
Sergio Bonelli Editore
Sergio Bonelli Editore is a publishing house of Italian comics. It takes its name from its president and comic book author, Sergio Bonelli....
in 1961.
Character
Zagor's real name is Patrick Wilding; he is the son of Mike and Betty. He is a westernWestern (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
character living in an imaginary forest named Darkwood, located in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, north eastern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. His name Zagor comes from its Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
name "Za-Gor Te-Nay", whose fictional meaning is "The Spirit with the Hatchet". Though the writers don't mention exact dates, Zagor is supposed to be active during the first half of the 19th century, or around 1825–1830. Zagor fights to maintain peace over all his territory, protect the Indian tribes and hunt down criminals. Son of an army official retiring to live as a pioneer and trapper in the forests of the north-east, Patrick Wilding sees his parents die at the hands of a band of Abenaki Indians, led by Salomon Kinsky. Taken in by the middle-aged trapper nicknamed "Wandering Fitzy", the boy grows up with only one thought on his mind: revenge. Fitzy teaches him how to make a deadly weapon out of a hatchet, and when he is old enough to fulfill this he finds out that his father had himself slaughtered many Indians, and the boy's understanding of the relativity of the concepts of good, evil and justice compels him to transform himself (with his accomplices the Sullivans, a family of acrobats who are his image makers) into Za-Gor-Te-Nay. Better still, shortened, Zagor. He is a kind of avenger always ready to side with the weak and the oppressed, whether red, white or black, whoever they may be. Moving his shack to an island surrounded by quick-sand in a marshy area of Darkwood Forest, Zagor begins his work as a peacemaker. Zagor isn't your typical western character, there's a mix of horror and sci-fi side by side with a bit of humour coming mostly from his sidekick Chico, a short, fat Mexican man who became his best friend. His full name is "Don" Chico Felipe Cayetano Lopez Martinez y Gonzales.
Even though Zagor is popular in Italy, it is even more popular in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
and Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, where it is being published to this day, being also published in other former Yugoslav republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
and Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
. In former Yugoslavia, Zagor was published by Serbian Dnevnik in its Zlatna Serija edition from 1968. Although not as popular, Zagor comics are also published in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
.
Zagor is one of the most popular comic heroes in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
since the 1960s. Three unofficial Zagor movies have been produced in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
during 1970's. Zagor was also published in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
in the 1970s, where, during that time, Tex Willer
Tex Willer
Tex Willer is the main fictional character of the Italian comics series Tex, created by writer Gian Luigi Bonelli and illustrator Aurelio Galleppini, and first published in Italy on 30 September 1948. It is among the most popular characters of Italian comics, with translations to numerous ...
was published as well.
Authors
- Sergio BonelliSergio BonelliSergio Bonelli was an Italian comic book author and publisher.Sergio Bonelli was born in Milan, the son of Gian Luigi Bonelli, the creator of Tex Willer and many other Italian comic strips. In order to distinguish himself from his father, he usually wrote his scripts under the pen name Guido Nolitta...
(pseudonym Guido Nolitta), inventor of the series, main writer of series from number 1 until number 182. He also wrote first 5 editions of Speciale Chico. - Mauro BoselliMauro BoselliMauro Boselli is an Argentine football forward who currently plays for Estudiantes on loan from Wigan Athletic.-Boca Juniors:...
, main writer (with Burrattini) of series from number 334 - Moreno Burattini, main writer of series (with Boselli), beginning with number 310
- Decio Canzio, writing for Zagor between numbers 139 and 212
- Ade Capone, writing for Zagor between numbers 263 and 331
- Alfredo CastelliAlfredo CastelliAlfredo 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...
, wrote many stories from number 76 until 229 - Maurizio Colombo, writing for Zagor between numbers 370 and 410
- Luigi Mignacco, writing for Zagor from number 451
- Tiziano SclaviTiziano SclaviTiziano Sclavi is an Italian comic book author, journalist and writer of several novels. Sclavi is most famous as creator of the comic book Dylan Dog in 1986, for Italian publishing house Sergio Bonelli Editore...
, wrote many stories from number 184 until 280, and Speciale Chico 6 - Marcello ToninelliMarcello ToninelliMarcello Toninelli is an Italian comics writer.-Biography:Toninelli began a collaboration with Sergio Bonelli Editore in 1982, and worked on the Zagor series. Toninelli was the main writer of series from number #203 until #334 in 1993...
, main writer of series from number 203 until 334. He also wrote first 3 editions of Speciale Zagor.
Illustrators
- Gallieno FerriGallieno FerriGallieno Ferri , is an Italian comic book artist and illustrator.In 1960 Ferri met writer Sergio Bonelli and they created the comic book Zagor. Ferri illustrated Zagor from the first issue, drawing numerous stories...
, artwork creator of character Zagor. He illustrated all the covers of the series. He illustrates Zagor from number 1. - Stefano Andreucci, illustrates Zagor from number 330
- Franco Bignotti, illustrated many stories of Zagor from number 26 until 247
- Gaetano Cassaro, illustrates Zagor from number 331
- Alessandro Chiarolla, illustrates Zagor from number 355
- Raffaele Della Monica, illustrates Zagor from number 353
- Franco DonatelliFranco DonatelliFranco Donatelli , was an Italian comic book artist and illustrator. Donatelli is best known as the regular artist on the Zagor series. He illustrated many stories from #37 until #375 of regular series. In 1970s he drew three stories of Mister No.-External links:* on Lambiek Comiclopedia...
, illustrated many stories from number 37 until 375 - Francesco Gamba, illustrates Zagor from number 140. Also, Gamba illustrated many numbers of Speciale Chico
- Mauro Laurenti, illustrates Zagor from number 334
- Carlo Raffaele Marcello, illustrates Zagor from number 345
- Michele Pepe, illustrated many stories from number 247 until 416
- Massimo Pesce, illustrates Zagor from number 384
- Pini Segna, illustrated Zagor from number 141 until 222
- Marco Torricelli, illustrates Zagor from number 253