Domenico Mirabella, born on 29th of September 1929, was an Italian comic book artist whose contributions in the mid-20th century left a lasting impact on the European comic scene. Operating under the pseudonym ‘D. Mira’, Mirabella’s artistic journey is marked by his distinctive style and notable collaborations, particularly his work on comic characters such as the Phantom, Mandrake the Magician and Joe Colt .

Mirabella’s early career saw him engaging with the Italian publisher Fratelli Spada during the 1960s. He was instrumental in creating covers and stories for their Mandrake the Magician titles, showcasing his burgeoning talent in the comic book industry. His artwork gained international recognition, with his covers being featured in the French ‘Mandrake’ publications by Éditions des Remparts.

In 1962, Mirabella began his association with the Phantom, known in Italy as ‘L’Uomo Mascherato’. His first published work with Fratelli Spada in a Phantom comic book came with the L’Uomo Mascherato Super Albo series, illustrating the front cover of edition number 1.

In 1962, Mirabella also worked on the Avventure Americane Phantom comic book series for Fratelli Spada. L’Uomo Mascherato edition number 18, published on the 2nd of September 1962, contains artwork by Mirabella on both the front cover and internal comic strip story. This issue featured the story ‘La creatura del professor Dreyfuss’, which translates to ‘The Creature of Professor Dreyfuss’.

Throughout the 1960s, Mirabella continued to produce cover art and stories for the Phantom series, illustrating 49 front covers and illustrating 24 comic strip stories.

Mirabella’s artistic style was characterized by a meticulous approach to detail and a dynamic composition that brought the characters and narratives to life. His ability to capture the essence of adventure and mystery resonated with readers, contributing to the popularity of the Phantom series during that era.

In addition to his work on the Phantom, Mirabella collaborated with other publishers and artists. In the early 1970s, he worked with the Di Vitto brothers on the series ‘Sartana (Joe Colt)’ and drew two Italian comic books: ‘Lak, il giustiziere dello spazio’ in 1970/1971 and ‘Karatè’ in 1975. He also contributed to German comics, creating stories for ‘Gespenster Geschichten’ and ‘Spuk Geschichten’.

Mirabella’s work extended beyond Italian borders, with some of his stories being published internationally. Notably, his story ‘Il malvagio venuto dallo spazio’ (which translates to ‘The Evil From Space’) was published in the United States in Mandrake the Magician edition number 9 and in the United Kingdom in ‘Uncanny Tales’ edition number 96 under the title ‘Terror from Outer Space’. Both editions are featured below containing cover artwork by Fred Fredericks.

Throughout his career, Mirabella demonstrated a remarkable versatility, adapting his style to suit various genres and audiences. His contributions to the comic book industry, particularly his work on the Phantom, have left an enduring legacy that continues to be appreciated by comic enthusiasts worldwide.

Domenico Mirabella passed away in 1976, leaving behind a body of work that reflects his artistic talent and dedication to the craft of comic book storytelling.

---