Diabolika Supercriminals, Superheroes and the Comic Book Universe in Italian Cinema

Since their heyday, comics (or fumetti as they are called in Italy) had a vital part in Italy’s culture and morality, even helping break boundaries. That was the case with the so-called “fumetti neri,” such as DIABOLIK, KRIMINAL, SATANIK, and many others that created a sensation in the early-to-mid-1960s. Similarly, in the late 1960s the adults-only comics paved the way for a more explicit depiction of eroticism. The 1980s saw the commercial exploitation of underground comics as well as popular genre titles such as DYLAN DOG. DIABOLIKA lists the Italian films and TV series based on (or inspired by) comics, graphic novels and photonovels, as well as movies not directly adapted from comic books sport a distinct comics feel in style, characters and plot. Included are the 1960s adaptations of the lurid “fumetti neri” such as DANGER: DIABOLIK, the two KRIMINAL movies, AVENGER X and SATANIK. And we couldn’t forget the comic-inspired superheroes SUPERARGO, FLASHMAN, THE THREE FANTASTIC SUPERMEN as well as films based on erotic and adults-only comics including MS. STILETTO. DIABOLIKA also provides listings for adaptations of popular comic characters such as VALENTINA, TEX and DYLAN DOG and many, many more. Also included is an essay on Turkish films inspired by Italian comics written by Turkish film scholar Kaya Özkaracalar. The book is lavishly illustrated in color with many rare set stills, lobby cards, poster art and comic book panels.