Marshal Law is a comic that represented a true watershed in the landscape of superhero stories. Created by Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill, the series debuted in the early ’80s as a dark and violent parody of the genre. Not only did it radically depart from traditional heroic narratives, but it also inspired modern works like The Boys, with which it shares many of its themes and the same cynical and disillusioned view of superheroes. Garth Ennis’s work, in fact, drew inspiration from Marshal Law to explore the idea of superheroes as corrupt and morally ambiguous characters, foreshadowing many of its themes, such as the abuse of power and criticism of consumerist society.
The Boys – TV Series
The Boys is a series that dismantles the myth of the superhero as a moral figure, portraying a world where powers are tools of abuse and commerce. With a cynical and violent approach, the series explores how superheroes, managed by the ruthless multinational Vought, are more dangerous than ordinary criminals. The conflict between the Boys, led by Billy Butcher, and the Seven, headed by the unpredictable Homelander, creates an explosive narrative.
By The Boys
The Boys isn’t your typical superhero comic, and thank goodness for that. If you’re tired of spandex-clad guys rescuing kittens from trees with virtuous stares, then Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson have just what you need. Here, the “supes” aren’t exactly heroes but rather sociopaths chasing glory and personal gratification. Sure, there are explosions, epic fights, and iconic characters, but every page drips with a corrosive critique of the superhero myth and the culture that worships it.
The protagonists? A group of “ordinary men” (though not quite) who decide to teach these arrogant gods a hard lesson. Billy Butcher, the team leader, is the embodiment of well-channeled hatred. A character with the charisma of a London gangster and the subtlety of a truck when it comes to morality. And then there’s Hughie, the unlucky everyman, representing the reader thrown into a world of ultra-violence and razor-sharp wit.
By Jerry Lewis’ Cursed Film: When Drama Outweighs Comedy
The great actor and comedian Jerry Lewis played a pivotal role in the creation and controversial legacy of the film The Day the Clown Cried, one of the most enigmatic works in cinematic history.
By John Doe
“John Doe” is one of the most iconic works of modern Italian comics, created by Lorenzo Bartoli and Roberto Recchioni. Published between 2003 and 2012 by Eura Editoriale (later Editoriale Aurea), the series is distinguished by its blend of action, irony, and social critique. The concept of following the story of a “Death’s accountant” who decides to rebel against the divine system combines existential themes with a pop and pulp aesthetic.
By Choi Xooang: The Art of Transformation and Human Fragility
Choi Xooang is one of the most innovative and provocative sculptors in the contemporary Korean art scene, known for his unsettling and visceral works that explore themes of fragility, transformation, and human identity. His art challenges traditional conventions of sculpture, using the human body as a starting point for broader reflections on the existential condition of individuals, physical alteration, and our vulnerability as human beings.
By The Eerie Mask of Michael Myers in Halloween (1978)
The mask of Michael Myers is one of the most iconic elements of Halloween (1978), but its origin was almost accidental and born out of the need to save money. Here’s how it was created and why it was chosen:
By Genuine
The painter Percy, after completing the portrait of the bloodthirsty priestess Genuine, becomes so bewitched by it that he locks himself in his house and stops interacting with anyone.
By Dampyr
“Dampyr”, created by Mauro Boselli and Maurizio Colombo in 2000 for Sergio Bonelli Editore, is one of the longest-running and most acclaimed Italian horror comics. The story focuses on Harlan Draka, a dampyr a being half-human and half-vampire, destined to fight against the Masters of the Night, powerful immortal vampires who rule entire territories around the world. Harlan is portrayed as a reluctant hero, marked by the discovery of his true nature and battles against supernatural entities that threaten humankind. From the first issue, there is a commitment to creating a unique mythology that blends European legends with new ideas, offering the audience a dark and engaging atmosphere.
By Don Giovanni or The Stone Guest
The protagonist of the play is the infamous seducer Don Giovanni, who, driven by his unrestrained passion for satisfying his carnal desires, commits murder. The man killed by the protagonist is a commander, yet Don Giovanni is absolved of all charges.
By