I Fumetti In 100 Personaggi

I Fumetti In 100 Personaggi (which translates to ‘Comics In 100 Characters’) was published by Longanesi & C. in Milan, Italy in 1977. The softcover book is written by Franco Fossati showcasing a large number of comic book characters, with a brief description of their creators and their place in comic book history.

Longanesi & C. was founded by Leo Longanesi and industrialist Giovanni Monti in Milan, Italy in 1946. The publishing house initially got a large success thanks to some editorial series such as La buona società and La gaia scienza.

In 1977, Longanesi & C. was taken over by Messaggerie Italiane. The Italian publishing house is known for it’s non-conformist publications which include subject matter as full freedom of choice and its 360-degree horizons. They also publish literary fiction in genres that have achieved bestsellers in themes such as adventure, thriller, action and fantasy books.

Longanesi & C. is still publishing books to this day, both domestically and internationally.

I Fumetti In 100 Personaggi contains a softcover color cover measuring 12cm x 10cm. The 235 black and white pages contain a mix of illustrations and Italian text, published under the ‘Guide Pratiche’ series (which translates to ‘Practical Guide’). An image of the Phantom is found on the front cover, alongside a large mix of other comic book characters, illustrated by Lino Landolfi.

The text seen on the back cover translated to English reads:

COMICS IN 100 CHARACTERS

The book that tells and documents, in its graphic evolution and creative development, the world of comics from 1896 to today. The origin, characteristics, stories of one hundred (or rather, two hundred!) adventurous and ironic, realistic and paradoxical characters, childish and unscrupulous For each “hero”, news on criticism, on existing editions, on relationships with cinema, TV, advertising. One hundred illustrations, cartoons and strips chosen from the rarest and most unusual material An appendix of useful information (books on comics, magazines, newspapers, amateur publishers, events, etc.) which constitutes a real map for the enthusiast and the collector. And finally indexes of the characters and authors.

PRACTICAL GUIDES

For every sector of activity, for every center of interest, for every hobby, for every moment of free time, an economical, complete and very current guide.

  1. The interpretation of dreams according to psychoanalysis
  2. Astronomy with binoculars
  3. Domestic freezing
  4. Comics in 100 characters
  5. Modern photography (in preparation)