Milo Manara (born Maurilio Manara; 12 September 1945) is an acclaimed Italian comic book writer and artist, internationally renowned for his distinctive blend of sensual eroticism, refined linework, and adventurous storytelling. His work explores the boundaries of fantasy and desire, and he is best known for series such as Click, Butterscotch, and The Adventures of Giuseppe Bergman.
Milo Manara
Name: Milo Manara
Birth Name: Maurilio Manara
Born: 12 September 1945, Lüsen (Luson), South Tyrol, Kingdom of Italy
Nationality: Italian
Occupations: Comic book writer, artist
Notable Works: The Adventures of Giuseppe Bergman, Click, Butterscotch, Indian Summer
Years Active: 1969–present
Early Life and Career
Milo Manara studied architecture and painting before venturing into the comics field. His professional debut came in 1969 with illustrations for Genius, a noir-style “fumetti neri” pocketbook series, part of a wave of Italian pulp fiction influenced by titles like Kriminal and Satanik. During the early 1970s, he contributed to Terror magazine and illustrated Jolanda de Almaviva, an erotic adventure series scripted by Francesco Rubino.
Manara expanded his presence in Italy’s comics scene through collaborations in Il Corriere dei Ragazzi, where he worked with prominent writers such as Rubino, Carlo Barbieri, Mino Milani, and Silverio Pisú. In partnership with Pisú, he launched the satirical magazines Telerompo and Strategia della Tensione in 1974, and developed the politically charged strip Alessio, Il Borghese Rivoluzionario. He also worked with Alfredo Castelli to illustrate L’Uomo delle Nevi in 1978, as part of the respected series Un uomo un’avventura.
His major breakthrough arrived with publication in leading Franco-Belgian outlets like Charlie Mensuel, Pilote, and L’Écho des savanes, where he was recognized for his fluid linework and sensual character design. For the influential magazine À Suivre, Manara created the enigmatic Giuseppe Bergman, a recurring protagonist who embarks on episodic, philosophical, and erotic journeys. The series was notable for blending meta-fiction with satire and included the character “HP,” modeled after Hugo Pratt—Manara’s friend, mentor, and later collaborator.
Erotic and Literary Artistry
In the 1980s, Manara’s work gained widespread notoriety for its elegant, explicit eroticism. He achieved critical acclaim with Il Gioco (Click, 1983), Il Profumo dell’invisibile (Butterscotch, 1986), and Candid Camera (Hidden Camera, 1988). These works introduced readers to Miele, a recurring heroine caught in absurd and fantastical erotic situations.
Manara collaborated with iconic artists and auteurs, including Hugo Pratt on Indian Summer (1983) and El Gaucho (1991), and director Federico Fellini on Viaggio a Tulum and Il Viaggio di G. Mastorna. His narrative abilities were also evident in L’Uomo di Carta (1982), which showcased his capacity for serious storytelling.
International Collaborations and Multimedia Work
In the United States, Manara’s work appeared in Heavy Metal magazine, including serializations of The Ape and Giuseppe Bergman. He collaborated with Neil Gaiman (Breakthrough) and illustrated a chapter in Gaiman’s The Sandman: Endless Nights, which won an Eisner Award in 2004.
Manara’s work expanded beyond print. He created artwork for City Hunters, an animated TV series aired on FOX Latin America, and collaborated with MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi on the illustrated project Quarantasei. In 2009, he drew X-Women for Marvel Comics, a one-shot written by Chris Claremont.
Controversies and Continued Recognition
Manara’s variant cover for Spider-Woman #1 (2014) drew international attention and controversy for its sexualized depiction of the character. While some criticized its appropriateness, others defended it as a reflection of Manara’s signature style. Despite controversy, the piece fetched over £37,000 at auction in 2020, testifying to Manara’s enduring appeal.
His visual influence extended into pop culture, including album art for Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro and contributions to graphic adaptations of literary classics such as Gulliver’s Travels, The Golden Ass, and Kamasutra.
Awards
- 1978: Yellow Kid and Gran Guinigi Prize for Best Italian Artist
- 1995: U Giancu’s Prize at the International Cartoonists Exhibition
- 1998: Inducted into the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame at the Harvey Awards
- 2004: Eisner Award for Best Anthology (for The Sandman: Endless Nights, with various artists)
- Multiple nominations and accolades from European festivals including Lucca Comics & Games and the Angoulême International Comics Festival
Bibliography
Major Works:
- Click series (Il Gioco, 1983–2001)
- Butterscotch series (Il Profumo dell’invisibile, 1986–2001)
- Candid Camera (Hidden Camera, 1988)
- The Adventures of Giuseppe Bergman (1978–2004)
- Indian Summer (1983, with Hugo Pratt)
- El Gaucho (1991, with Hugo Pratt)
- Viaggio a Tulum (1989, with Federico Fellini)
- The Sandman: Endless Nights (2004, with Neil Gaiman and others)
- X-Women (2009, with Chris Claremont)
- Caravaggio series (2015–2018)
- Borgia series (2004–2010, with Alejandro Jodorowsky)
Other Notable Publications:
- The Ape (Lo Scimmiotto, 1976)
- The Paper Man (L’uomo di carta, 1982)
- Trip to Tulum (1989)
- The Model (Il pittore e la modella, 2002)
- Manara’s Kama Sutra (1997)
- Gullivera (1995)
- Piranese: The Prison Planet (Fuga da Piranesi, 2002)
- Pandora’s Eyes (Gli Occhi di Pandora, 2007)
- Memory (2001)
Adaptations and Collaborations:
- City Hunters (2006, animated series)
- Le Déclic (1985, film adaptation)
- Le Parfum de l’invisible (1997, animation)
- The Erotic Misadventures of the Invisible Man (2003, adaptation)
Manara’s extensive body of work also includes sketchbooks, illustrations, and literary adaptations that have been published by various international publishers and translated into numerous languages.
Legacy
Milo Manara is regarded as one of the foremost erotic comic artists in the world. His distinctive blend of sensuality, humor, and artistic finesse has shaped generations of artists and redefined the boundaries of graphic storytelling. With a career spanning over five decades, Manara remains a cultural icon and a symbol of the artistic potential of eroticism in comics.
