Artist Goran Parlov recently teased some of his art from the long-running, hugely popular Italian western comic, Magico Vento (“Magic Wind”), published by Sergio Bonelli Editore. Seven volumes of the series have been published in English to date, by Epicenter Comics, along with a Masterwork Edition, in 2018.
Magico Vento is a western adventure set after 1865, with horror and supernatural themes, created and written by Gianfranco Manfredi. It launched back in June 1997, with the late José Ortiz on art, a name many British comic fans will instantly recognise. In addition to Goran, other artists on the book include Giuseppe Barbati, Bruno Ramella, Pasquale Frisenda, Ivo Milazzo, Eugenio Sicomoro, Corrado Roi, Darko Perović and Corrado Mastantuono.
Magic Wind masterfully combines the feel of the classic Western adventure with the spine-chilling atmosphere of gothic tales of HP Lovecraft and Edgar Alan Poe; where the old West confronts the one that is becoming obscure and macabre, and American Indian mysticism clashes with the ruthless, string pulling secret organisations hiding within Washington’s political system.
Although some of the stories have appeared in English, from US publisher Epicenter Comics, there are plenty more still only available in Italian.
“I am so sorry my English spoken friends cannot read this series,” Goran Parlov told his followers on Twitter and Facebook. “It’s a western seen, for once, through the eyes of the native Americans. Through their myths and legends. And magic.”
To date, the series has run for 130 books, with Parlov drawing 11 stories, including the landmark 100th issue, a story that concluded an arc about the Indian Wars, depicting the events at Deadwood, Black Hills, and Little Big Horn.
“I hope somebody will print it in English,” he offers, presumably referring to his issues, “Sooner or later.”
If you’re looking for collections, then Fort Ghost is your starting point, drawn by by Jose Ortiz.
Magic Wind – Epicenter Collections
Affiliate Links to AmazonUK where book listed as available; most editions are also available from Amazon.com, or the Epicenter Comics web shop or eBay store (bear in mind there may be additional shipping costs from the US)
• Magic Wind Volume 1 – Fort Ghost
Written by Gianfanco Manfredi | Art by José Ortiz | Cover by Bane Kerac
ISBN: 978-0988984714
After barely surviving a horrific train crash, and a shard of metal lodged in his brain, Ned Ellis wakes up with no memory. Who is he? Where did he come from? And whose side is he supposed to be on? The Sioux who find him and nurse him back to health, name him Magic Wind, the white shaman.
• Magic Wind Volume 2 – Claws
Written by Gianfanco Manfredi | Art: Giuseppe Barbati & Bruno Ramella
ISBN: 978-0988984721
When a young Sioux boy is snatched and carried away by an enormous eagle, Magic Wind’s search leads him to the very heart of Cursed Land, a place from which no man has ever returned. The terrifying truth awaits him on the inside…
• Magic Wind Volume 3 – Lady Charity
Written by Gianfanco Manfredi | Art by José Ortiz | Cover by Bane Kerac
ISBN: 978-0988984738
The “angel” of the slums of Chicago, a woman known as Lady Charity, is not quite what she seems. Poe soon realizes what the score is, but becomes entangled in the web the diabolical woman has woven for him. Despite his best efforts, this may prove to be too much for Magic Wind to handle.
• Magic Wind Volume 4 – The Beast
Written by Gianfanco Manfredi | Art and Cover by Pasquale Frisenda
ISBN: 978-0988984769
When a body of a young man is found dead near an oil pump, Poe insists his death is the result of human greed, but Magic Wind has another idea. Could the Native American legend of terrifying creature that feeds on bones of the dead be true?
• Magic Wind Volume 5 – Long Knife
Written by Gianfanco Manfredi | Art: Giuseppe Barbati & Bruno Ramella | Cover: Bane Kerac
ISBN: 978-0988984783
His sword spills the blood of Magic Wind’s spiritual father, Lame Horse. Seemingly risen from the grave and hell-bent on revenge, he can only be identified as the mysterious rider, wearing a confederate officer’s uniform and a Damballah-serpant Voodoo god-tattooed on his chest. Only one option is left for Magic Wind…
• Magic Wind Volume 6 – Son of the Snake
Written by Gianfanco Manfredi | Giuseppe Barbati & Bruno Ramella | Cover Artwork: Bane Kerac
ISBN: 978-0988984790
Deep inside the enemy territory in the Land of the Snake, with the odds stacked against him, Magic Wind arrives for the final showdown with ruthless Louis Beaumont!
• Magic Wind Volume 7 – Windigo
Written by Gianfanco Manfredi | Art and Cover by Pasquale Frisenda
ISBN: 978-1942592013
An expedition. A blizzard. A lost tribe… And Windigo, a creature with insatiable appetite for human flesh. Magic Wind and Poe find themselves stuck in a frigid hell in a fight of their lives…
• Magic Wind – Masterworks Collection – Vultur
Writer: Gianfranco Manfredi Art: Pasquale Frisenda
ISBN: 978-1942592280
There’s a place between the earth and the sky, where horrible demons live in chains. Howard Hogan, driven by a blind fury and revenge, has released Vultur from its prison and has made himself one with this monster. Magic Wind, a white warrior-shaman of Lakota is his pray. Featuring art by Pasquale Frisenda.
• Magico Vento – Official Web Site (in Italian)
The character of Magico Vento, the names, images and registered trademarks are copyright Sergio Bonelli Editore
With thanks to Goran Parlov on Twitter and Facebook for the heads up
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “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.
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