Comicbookinterviews.com caught up with italian writer Gianfranco Saltari and discussed his career in comics and his new projects…
JMH: Where were you born and raised?
GIANFRANCO: I was born in southern Italy, but I live by the age of three years in Genoa, the city where Cristoforo Colombo (the discoverer of America) was born. It’s a very charming town steeped in history but at the same time very difficult for the job opportunities and the artistic and cultural activities.
JMH: Tell CBI about yourself…
GIANFRANCO: I started to read and draw when I was little.
I’ve always loved both activities, but when I grew up I chose the activity of writing, because I’ve always loved telling and writing stories, in all its forms: novel, articles and comics.
I started working with some newspapers, until I became the editor (I am also journalist) of the site www.horrormagazine.it and in the meantime I made some short comics and novel published in Italy by various publishers. I also published in the legendary magazine Heavy Metal Magazine. I prefer horror, gothic, dark stories that explore the dark side of reality and the mind of man. But I try to adapt to all kinds of stories: my first comic book that was published was an erotic comic book!
JMH: Have you had any formal training in writing?
GIANFRANCO: I followed some courses in writing comics and creative writing.
These courses need to have some general guidelines to begin with.
Every time I interview the writers of comic books (for some articles I’m writing) and I try to understand how they work, their secrets.
I think everyone has their own personal journey, which is made up of many readings (books e comic), by watching movies (I love the cinema a lot) and the specific interests (for me is horror and fantasy).
The learning curve is not yet finished, it is likely to last a lifetime!
JMH: Who are your writing influences?
GIANFRANCO: Many writers such as Stephen King, Richard Matheson, John Lansdale, Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Among the Italian ones I really like the style of Niccolò Ammaniti. And then there would be many that do not mention, because they are too many and I’m afraid to forget.
Among the comic writers: Mark Millar, Garth Ennis, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Katsuhiro Otomo, Christophe Bec, Tiziano Sclavi … Here too, the list would be too long!
JMH: How did you break into writing comic books?
GIANFRANCO: For a writer is more difficult to propose than a drawer.
The editors do not read your stories, especially if they are no drawings.
I proposed a story of a talented drawer who is Marco Dominici and we made the short stories “Side Images” a comedy erotic thriller published in Italy by Coniglio Editore and in the U.S. by Heavy Metal Magazine.
Later I worked for magazines and other publishers writing my stories.
As editor, I edited the graphic novel of “El Brujo Grnad Hotel” (Cut Up) by horror writer Stefano Fantelli and “Bloodymilla” (Delos Books) by famous Italian mystery writer Barbara Baraldi.
JMH: Do you read any of the new comic books that are being published today?
GIANFRANCO: In addition to the Italian comics, recently, I like Nemesi of Mark Millar, the Chronicle of Wormwood by Garth Ennis and The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman.
JMH: Print versus Digital. Your thoughts…
GIANFRANCO: I think that digital will give a new space and opportunities to the market of comics with new proposals that might cost too much in the paper.
In Italy it is starting to move in this direction, and I will like to do some project in digital.
I think the appeal of comic books printed on paper is still unmatched. For people who are born by reading and collecting comic books in this form is difficult to change. I do not think, however, comic books printed on paper never die. A little as happens in the music for the vinyl: they are always produced, although in smaller quantities.
JMH: Writer’s block. How do you get around that creature?
GIANFRANCO: I never had a real writer’s block.
Maybe I can’t organize an idea and then take my time, I work on it mentally, I drink a coffee, I take a walk, I read a book.
Creating something is not a perfect science, you’re unsure of what will come out, and that is why it is so fascinating.
JMH: What is SCRATCHES?
GIANFRANCO: SCRATCHES is my self-conclusive anthology, which collects ten “short stories” written by me that go from horror to thriller, science fiction to noir. Stories that are ironic at times, with a hint of eroticism, often cruel and ruthless. Ten dark fairytales drawn by ten Italian and international emerging artists: Valerio Nizi, Michele Arcangeli, Paolo Massagli, Luigi Criscuolo, Giovanni Timpano, Veronica Baeli, Ilaria Tomasi, Onofrio Cirillo, Cristian Sbattentini, Dario Viotti.
The horror writer Stefano Fantelli co-wrote with me a story of volume, while in the Italian edition the book is presented by Barbara Baraldi and Andrea Cavaletto that introduce the volume.
JMH: Do you research your story ideas? If so, how?
GIANFRANCO: I am constantly looking for ideas, but I did not realize.
I often spell to observe people, their attitudes, listening to their conversations …
If you are in company of a girl, do not recommend it!
The ideas come from my dreams, my fears, my loves, or what I read, what I eat, what I live.
JMH: What is your writing process like?
GIANFRANCO: After the idea, I write a pitch more or less articulated, depending on the structure of the story. Then if it’s for a comic book, I write the script to give to the artist otherwise I write the novel.
JMH: Do your stories carry a message?
GIANFRANCO : I never try to think about the message.
Often the desire to talk about something, it emerges, the need to have a say on an issue by giving their views to the characters or the story you’re writing, is something that is of consequence.
JMH: Do you feel more comfortable with writing prose or comic book sequential storytelling?
GIANFRANCO: I have more trouble with the prose, because basically I started writing comics, and it is more simple for me.
However, the two universes are, for me, equally fascinating and exchangeable: often from a novel I write a comic and vice versa.
JMH: What are your thoughts on the DC Reboot/Relaunch?
GIANFANCO: I think that DC Comics has the right and the need to relaunch your characters.
All myths are periodically rewritten in every age. I do not think that the reboot of some cycles or some comics series take off work earlier or original. It’s just another thing, the result of his time.
JMH: What do you think Marvel’s response will be?
GIANFRANCO: I do not know. I hope it’s a winning and effective response able to revitalize the market of comics.
JMH: What future projects are in the works?
GIANFRANCO: In fiction, I am caring for a book due out in spring in Italy.
It will be called “Horror Lovers”, it will speak about love and death, sex and horror, and participate many well-known horror writers on the Italian scene. There is also a story of mine. I will not say more for now, I leave you a preview of the cover work in progress.
In comics I’m working on various projects, including a psychological horror miniseries, that speaks of change both physically and psychologically. I hope to bring it in America if any publisher is interested. I leave you a preview of one of the episodes designed by Marco Dominici.
JMH: Where can fans get a hold of your books?
GIANFRANCO: Scratches in Italy is published by E.F. Edizioni http://www.efedizioni.com , but I’m working to get her to America. Already some publisher has stepped forward and I hope that soon you can read it.
One story, probably, will be published by Red Leaf: GIs VS Zombies. I will keep you updated!
JMH: How can fans and publishers contact you?
GIANFRANCO: On my blog: http://bordermind.wordpress.com where you can also find my email or on my facebook profile:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/Gianfranco.staltari
JMH: Anything else you’d like to mention that we haven’t covered yet?
GIANFRANCO: I would love to be able to bring my work in America, I realize that for a “stranger” can be difficult, but I love American comics and I would like to try!
JMH: Gianfranco, CBI appreciates your time! All the best!
GIANFRANCO: Thank you very much for the space and time that you have dedicated to me! Hope to see you again soon with more news. All the best!
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About the interviewer –
John Michael Helmer is the Publisher and CEO of Red Leaf Media, LLC. Red Leaf Media operates: www.ComicBookInterviews.com & www.RedLeafComics.com.
John’s creator-owned properties include: The Leaf, Canada’s Greatest Hero, Sky Watcher, G.I.s versus Zombies, McSorly, RCMP, The Armor Guardians, The Huskie, Dune, Master Spy!, and many others.
John can be reached at: jhelmer@comicbookinterviews.com and redleafcomics@gmail.com
