The creator of popular Italian comics Zagor, River Bill and Mister No, Sergio Bonelli died earlier today. Son of Tex creator Gian Luigi Bonelli,  Sergio often wrote under the name of Guido Nolitta, to disguise his legacy in the field, as well as a female pseudonym, Annalisa Macchi. But he would write many Tex stories in the seventies under his real name and would become editor, then chairman of one of Italy’s major comics publishers, CEPIM, which would be renamed in honour of him as Sergio Bonelli Editore. The publisher who would publish not only Mister No and Tex but also Dylan Dog.

But his real acheivement as an editor and publisher, was in recruiting and first publishing the work of three generations of Italian comic book writers and artists. Without him the Italian comic scene would have been unrecognisable.

Those comics were very popular in ex Yugoslavia (where I was born) and they had a special place in my hart.

Once again… Thanks mr Bonelli and RIP.