Incredible preview art by Max Bertolini for the latest issue of the long running science fiction series Nathan Never, published in Italian by Sergio Bonelli Editore, has recently been released.
Nathan Never Issue 408, “L’Entità di Luce” (“The Entity of Light”), written by Vigna Bepi, is on sale in Italy now, and available to buy here online from the publisher.
(Please note, the site is in Italian, additional postage and customs costs will apply to international orders, where available. Digital back issues – but not current issues – are available here from Bonelli Digital Classics).
In the story, on an asteroid near a black hole, a probe identifies an artifact that looks similar to a terrestrial spaceship, although no vessel of that type is missing. Nathan has the task of escorting the mission that must find out what it is. On the asteroid, accompanied by the robot, F2, they discover a mysterious crystal that seems to radiate a strange, dangerous energy…
Nathan Never is the creation by Michele Medda, Antonio Serra and Giuseppe (Bepi) Vigna, a trio of authors who have been active for some time at Sergio Bonelli Editore. First meeting in 1982 at the Cultural Centre of Cagliari “Il Circolo”, they started creating their first scripts as a team for Martin Mystère, Dylan Dog, Zona X and Legs.
Their long running science fiction saga Nathan Never began in 1991, the adventures of a retired policeman now working as as investigator for Agenzia Alfa in a semi-dystopian near future, told in the pages of an eponymous black and white comic published in Italy.
Although US publisher Dark Horse Comics published some early Nathan Never stories in English in the 1990s, astonishingly, it has no current English edition.
Based in Milan, concept, cover and comic artist Max Bertolini (previously profiled on downthetubes back in 2012, and interviewed here) has been one of the artists drawing Nathan Never since 1993, his many creative credits spanning cover art for Eura Editoriale (on publications such as Lanciostory and Skorpio) and Mondadori (I Gialli, I Romanzi), Random House Germany, Lucretia Records, Il Riccio Editore, among others.
Max’s comics work includes Second Chances, written by Ricky Mammone, for Image Comics and The Witcher for Dark Horse, as well as work for Titan Comics. He was also creator of the independently published graphic novel, Hanger 66, published in English and Italian.
His work has also featured in Fantasy & Science Fiction and Heavy Metal Magazine, and he’s recognised internationally for his cover art for publishers such as Baen Books and Del Rey.
He has also taught Cartoon and illustration at Milan’s prestigious Accademia dello Spettacolo.
• Max Bertolini on ArtStation | Instagram | Facebook
• Revelations: The Art of Max Bertolini (Paper Tiger, 2004, AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
• Check out Nathan Never at Sergio Bonelli Editore | Latest News
• Nathan Never Sergio Bonelli Editore Facebook Page
• Nathan Never – the Dark Horse editions
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Comic Previews, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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