The legendary comic book cover artist Emanuele Taglietti (1943, Ferrara, Italy) already at a very young age came into contact with the world of illustration by collaborating with his father, a well-known painter and decorator, in the creation of film sets.
Fig.1. Emanuele Taglietti in 2o18 (Wikipedia.org)
Sergio Leone
He graduated from the art institute of Ferrara, and continued his participation in the world of cinema, taking care of the creation of layouts and sets for directors of the caliber of Federico Fellini , Marco Ferreri , Dino Risi , Sergio Leone and Ettore Scola. At the same time he also produced film posters and collaborated on sets for important television productions including “Marco Polo“.
Zora the Vampire
But it is with comic book covers that Taglietti achieved popularity with the general public. For example, there are the many illustrations he made for Renzo Barbieri’s sexy periodicals, created simultaneously with sacred illustrations and historical popularization books. For Edifumetto, in fact, he created the covers of the books of “Playcolt (with Alain Delon), “Zora the Vampire“, “Beelzeba“, “Cemetery“, “Blue Fairy“, “The Musketeer (Fig.2)”, Sukia“, “Ulula”, “The Policewoman“, “Mafia“, “44 Magnum (Tom Selleck)”,”Fox“, “Colorful fairy Tales”,” Sexy Fairy Tales” and “Blonde Viper“.
Fig.2. ‘La Muschettiera (The Musketeer)‘ (2021) (WIP) Produced for Annexia publishing house.
Fig.2a. Finished painting ‘La Muschettiera‘ (2021) ‘ Inspired by a nice series from the eighties.
Violence and Eroticism
Taglietti’s iconic work, overflowing with violence and eroticism, is inhabited by perverted female cops and prison guards, murderous femme fatales, vampires, werewolves, honoring movie icons like Frankenstein (Wallestein), Quasimodo (Fig.20) and even Sylvester Stallone, sadistic sects, and even a sensual pairing of Christopher Lee (in his iconic role of Dracula) and Marilyn Monroe.
Sexy Starlet
His realistic style and ability to cross genres has defined his work. From macho investigator to sexy starlet, and from monster stories to fairy tales, he was master of them all. Although Emanuele retired in 2000, one can still find him in his studio with paint brush in hand.
Although he produced over 500 covers below you can find 29 of his most exciting ones…
Fig.3. Cover for ‘Il Morto #39‘ (2019)
Fig.4. ‘Beelzeba … virile and viral ‘ (Sept 2020)
Fig.6. ‘The Creature From The Black Lagoon‘ by Emanuele Taglietti (Pulp Librarian)
Fig.7. Original illustration for ‘Wallestein -Smoke of China‘ #279, Oct 2018). Wallestein, is a beloved character of Taglietti that he already created in the seventies. This ruthless and cruel protagonist marked an important step in the artist’s career.
Fig.8. Original illustration for ‘Wallestein‘ (#10, Oct 1975)
Fig.9. Original illustration of the cover of ‘Zora‘ Issue #62 (May 1977)
Fig.10. Original illustration from the cover of ‘Sukia‘ Issue #135, Sept 1984)
Fig.11. Original illustration from ‘Wallestein‘ (#15, Dec 1974)
Fig.12. ‘Blayne, the Vampire of Las Vegas‘ (2014)
Fig.13. Cover of ‘Sukia‘ Issue #52 (May 1980)
Fig.14. Oil on canvas ‘La Poliziotta (The Policewoman)‘ (2013)
Fig.15. Original cover illustration of ‘Zora‘ #8 of the reissue “Serie oro“, (Dec 1982)
Fig.16. ‘The Policewoman‘ #43 (Dec 1983)
Fig.17. Original illustration of the cover of ‘Forbidden Tales‘ issue #18 (Dec 1974), “The best of a thousand and one nights“) (ComicArtFans)
Fig.18. ‘The return of the Blue Fairy‘
Fig.19. ‘La Poliziotto‘
Fig.20. ‘Quasimodo‘
Fig.21. ‘The immortal heroines‘ (acrylic, 70 x 50 cm, Apr 2015)
Fig.22. Original illustration for ‘La Poliziotta'(The Policewoman)‘ (#60, May 1985)
Fig.23. ‘Sukia‘ (March 1980)
Fig.24. Artwork for ‘Zora la Vampira‘
Fig.25. ‘La Poliziotta‘ (homage to the glorious covers of “Menelik” by Aslan and Ciriello; (June 2018)
Fig.26. ‘La Poliziotta’ #4. Dec 1987) (Image: Pulp Librarian on Twitter)
Fig.27. Original Cover of the Policewoman #26 “Two balls and a bat” (July 1982) (ComicArtFans)
Fig.28. Original cover illustration for ‘Blond Viper‘ #4 (Oct 1977) (ComicArtFans)
Fig.29.
Fig.30.
Fig.31. ‘Blayne, the Vampire of Las Vegas’ (Apr 2015)
Fig.32. Attualità Nera, n.3, Il Delitto Dei Ragazzi-bene, Crime of the Well-Bred Boys (July 1978)
Fig.33. Moschettiera, n.7, Trame d'Amore e di Vendetta (Plotting Love and Revenge), Aug 1982
Fig.34. Vipera Bionda, n.5, Il Drago Scarlatto, The Scarlet Dragon (Nov 1977)
Fig.35. Vipera Bionda, n.15,.La Chiesa di Satana, The Church of Satan (Sep 1978)
Fig.36.
Fig.37. La Poliziotta - L'Ufo stupratore,(1987)
Fig.38.
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More on Taglietti recent work on the artist’s Intagram account…!!
Highly recommended is the Taglietti fan club site, which has documented almost all of his work.
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