Diabolik

Diabolik
Diabolik with Ginko
Publication information
Publisher	Astorina
First appearance	1962
Created by	Angela and Luciana Giussani
In-story information
Alter ego	Unknown
Abilities	Criminal and scientific genius Skilled in the use of knives in combat Excellent tactician, strategist and gifted analytic-deductive Psychomotor performance to the limits of human possibilities Great connoisseur of art and precious as well as collector of the same works Highly educated in various fields of knowledge Maximum experience in the field of chemistry Vast scientific knowledge Genius of disguise, in the assassination and stealth techniques Skillful change artist, able to wear masks perfect and inimitable depending dellle opportunities in other people (characters) who plays to perfection. Photographic memory Excellent pilot and shooter Exceptional analytical mind and deductive Great skill in the use of any weapons, poisons, drugs and hi-tech Expert Mesmer Knowledge of Morse code Polyglot

Diabolik (Italian: [djaˈbɔːlik]) is the title and main character—an anti-hero—of an Italian comics series. He was created by sisters Angela and Luciana Giussani in 1962. His stories appear in monthly black-and-white, digest-sized booklets. The character was inspired by several previous characters from Italian and French pulp fiction.

Diabolik was born from seeing commuters every day. Creator Angela Giussani, who lived near Milano Cadorna Railway Station, thought of making comics in a format designed for travelling and carrying in one's pocket. To better understand the tastes of her potential readers, Angela made a survey of the market, from which she concluded that many commuters read mystery novels; another version of the story claims that the very idea came from her finding a Fantomas novel abandoned in a train. Thus was born the "Diabolik format" (a small 12 x 17 cm (7 in) book), which proved popular with other publications in the same genre. The pocketbook format contributed, in fact, to the success of the character.

Diabolik is a ruthless master thief. He typically steals from criminals (and has no issue with killing them if need be, but rarely, if ever, kills the innocent or the police), and has a set of lifelike masks which he uses to fool his opponents, assuming every identity at his will. He seems to have a deep knowledge in many scientific fields, including chemistry, mechanics and computers. In his first appearances, Diabolik was a more straightforward villain who did not hesitate to murder anyone in order to accomplish his deeds. He was later given a more "Robin Hood"-like persona and was shown stealing essentially from criminals, in order to soften the series’ violence and amorality.

He was raised as an orphan on a secret island hideout of a criminal combiné, where he learned all his criminal skills, including developing his special masks, before killing the head of the combine. Diabolik’s true name had never been revealed in the series, and he doesn’t know it himself. Diabolik took his name from a dangerous black panther that the head of the combine killed on the secret island. From issue #3 of the series, Diabolik is aided by his "moll", Eva Kant, who has gained an increasing role as his partner and lover.