Isabella (comics)
Isabella (Italian: Isabella Duchessa dei Diavoli, i.e. "Isabella Duchess of the Devils") is an Italian comic book series created by Giorgio Cavedon as the writer and Sandro Angiolini as artist.
Isabella | |
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Creative team | |
Written by | Giorgio Cavedon |
Artist(s) | Sandro Angiolini |
History
The series started in 1966 and it was inspired in plot and title by the renowned novel Angélique, the Marquise of the Angels and its on-screen adaptation, which had had a significant success at the Italian box office. Set in 17th century France, it features the adventures of Isabella de Frissac, an uninhibited noblewoman who works as a secret agent for cardinal Richelieu and, in the course if her missions, faces any sort of vexation and torture.[1][2]
The series is considered a progenitor of Italian adult comics, especially because of its sado-masochistic elements, which were an absolute innovation in the fumetti panorama. The storylines also included grotesque situations, such as a scene in episode 8 which depicted the protagonist being raped by a bear.[2]
Starting from July 1969 Gaspare De Fiore and Umberto Sammarini replaced Angiolini as artists. Publications ceased in October 1976, after 263 issues.[1]
A comic book collection series, Isabella Gigante was published between 1969 and 1971.[1]
Legacy
A film adaptation, Isabella, Duchess of the Devils, directed by Bruno Corbucci and starring Brigitte Skay in the title role, was released in 1969.[3]
The comic book also inspired a series of novels, Le memorie di Isabella.[2]