The legendary comic book cover artist Eɱanuele 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. Eɱanuele 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 tι̇ɱe 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 ɱany 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 Policewoɱan“, “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 Eɱanuele 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.. ‘A shock for take-off’ (Jan
In October, we’ve published an article devoted to pornographic daguerreotypes of the 19th century. The Czech photographer Jan Saudek (born 1935) creates his sensual hand-colored daguerreotypes today, using the..
2018) (Source: Sex and Horror)
Fig.6. ‘The Creature From The Black Lagoon‘ by Eɱanuele 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 Policewoɱan)‘ (2013)