In Corto’s Shadow: Hugo Pratt’s Creative World

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In Corto’s Shadow: A Deep Dive into Hugo Pratt’s Life and Legacy

In a studio overlooking Grandvaux, Switzerland, the image of Hugo Pratt sits at work, a reminder of a prolific career that shaped the world of graphic storytelling. In the narrative of Pratt’s creations, the book In Corto’s Shadow presents a sweeping journey through decades of drawings, conversations, and ideas. The volume gathers a rich conversation between Pratt and Dominique Petitfaux, a historian and critic, unfolding as a second installment in a notable Hugo Pratt Collection. The project spans years and culminates in a telling dialogue about Pratt’s artistic evolution and the expansive world he built on the page. The discussions began after a chance meeting in 1985 in a Parisian bookstore and blossomed into a two-book project that offers readers a candid view of Pratt’s creative process.

In Corto’s Shadow opens a window into Pratt’s creative universe, inviting readers to explore the many stories told through his distinctive vignettes. From the earliest character created in 1945, the ace of spades, to the enduring presence of Corto Maltese, the symbolic sailor-adventurer, Pratt forged a lasting partnership between creator and character. Over roughly two decades, Corto Maltese became a central pillar in his oeuvre, alongside other memorable figures developed with Argentine writer Héctor Oesterheld, such as Sergeant Kirk, Ticonderoga Flint, and Ernie Pike. The conversations illuminate how these figures emerged, evolved, and carried Pratt’s unique voice across years of comics history.

In Corto’s Shadow, one focus is the breadth of Pratt’s output. As Paco Linares notes, Pratt is credited with creating around forty characters during the late 1960s, and the book analyzes the full scope of his work, including the social commentary and political resonances present in his stories. The collection also traces the enduring impact of Corto Maltese after his success in France during the late 1960s, while landmark works such as Desert Scorpions and Castle Tour accompany Pratt through the 1990s and beyond, each contributing to the larger story of his artistry and influence.

Cover of “In Corto’s Shadow” from the Hugo Pratt Collection INFORMATION

This volume, though originally published in Spain in 2012, offers a compact yet intimate portrait of Pratt’s life and work, with a focus on his conversations with Petitfaux. The book highlights Pratt’s creative process, the social context of his storytelling, and the ways his characters reflect broader cultural conversations. The narrative also hints at Pratt’s continued relevance, as later developments in the collection further expand on his legacy and the enduring appeal of Corto Maltese as a cultural icon. The discussion situates Pratt among the greats of the 20th century, celebrated for both his visual craft and thematic depth.

“In Corto’s Shadow” presents a more theoretical side of Pratt, appealing to readers who relish deep analysis of comic book production. It examines how Pratt planned scenes, sketched ideas, and assembled the frame to convey mood and meaning. The words of Linares emphasize the book’s goal of presenting not only the adventures but also the methods behind them, inviting readers to imagine Velázquez describing his painting process as a parallel to Pratt’s approach to comics. The collection was introduced in Barcelona by Comics Barcelona, adding a sense of anticipation about its release and reception among fans and scholars alike.

Cultural manager, curator, and critic, Paco Linares Mico stands as a leading interpreter of Pratt and Maltese. He helped organize the 2015 exhibition Hugo Pratt and Corto Maltese: Cross Routes, and he contributed texts for the exhibition at the University of Alicante. In 2019, his work accompanied a new exploration of Corto Maltese at the National Art Museum of Catalonia. His contributions to the Comedic Arts community were recognized in 2018 by the Spanish Comic Book Writers Association for his ongoing support of related events. His ongoing scholarship underscores the enduring importance of Pratt’s work across continents and generations.

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