The L’Invincibile (which translates to The Invincible) comic book series was published by Corrado Tedeschi Editore in Italy in the 1950s.
Corrado Tedeschi Editore is an historic Italian publishing house founded in Florence in 1945 by the professor and journalist, Corrado Tedeschi (1899–1972). The company’s immediate and enduring success was built on the foundation of enigmistica (puzzle and crossword magazines). The very first publication, appearing just after World War II on the 18th of August 1945, was the Nuova Enigmistica Tascabile (New Pocket Puzzles). Tedeschi had faced obstacles in his publishing career before the war due to racial laws concerning his Jewish heritage, making the post-war launch a significant achievement.
The publisher’s catalog has expanded considerably beyond its core puzzle offerings. Throughout the mid-20th century, Corrado Tedeschi Editore explored various popular cultural formats, including publications like the New Scientific Tedeschi Encyclopedia, and even ventures into record manufacturing (flexi-discs featuring artists like a young Mina were included with the puzzle magazines). In the early 1970s, the company launched Il Giornale dei Misteri (The Journal of Mysteries), which covered topics from ufology to the occult. Today, while remaining a leader in the puzzle sector, the company has diversified into manuals and books focused on manual creativity and hobbies, such as knitting, crochet, patchwork and textile art.
Corrado Tedeschi himself was also notable for his unique political flair. In 1953, he founded the satirical political group known as the Partito Nettista Italiano (Italian Net Party), more famously nicknamed the “Partito della Bistecca” (Steak Party). This party ran in the Italian general elections with the motto “W la pacchia!” (“Hurray for the good life!”) and a humorous platform that promised every citizen a daily portion of 450 grams of steak, free medical care, three months of guaranteed vacation, and the abolition of all taxes. Though unsuccessful in winning seats, this unusual campaign secured the founder’s place as a colorful figure in post-war Italian history and highlighted the spirit of lighthearted amusement central to his publishing brand.
Comic book such as the L’Invincibile series represents a fascinating, though brief, venture by Corrado Tedeschi Editore outside of its core publishing identity focused on enigmistica (puzzles). Published around 1954, this title was a classic example of the ‘fumetto tascabile’, or Italian pocket comic. This format was characterized by its small, vertical dimensions, inexpensive black-and-white printing, and easy distribution, which perfectly leveraged the existing market presence established by Corrado Tedeschi Editore highly successful puzzle magazines.
Little is known about the L’Invincibile comic book series. At least 14 editions were published in the series, with the Phantom appearing in at least 10 editions. The title of the series is prominently featured on the front cover, with the Phantom illustrated in a red costume, as he’s known in Italy.
A dual title of the Phantom is printed on the front cover ‘Il Fantasma’ and ‘Mascherato’. The Phantom comic strip story title published within the comic book is printed on the front cover, plus the edition number and publisher ‘C. Tedeschi’. A sample of 4 of the editions in the series can be seen below.
Although Corrado Tedeschi Editore did not become a dominant force in the comic industry like some of their competitors, the series highlights their strategic move to capitalize on the booming popularity of cheap, digestible comic entertainment during the 1950s.
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