Max Bunker, born Luciano Secchi, creator and author of one of the most loved Italian comics of all time (in addition to the already well-known, highly appreciated and successful Kriminal and Satanik, queen series of the mid\late 60s of the last century and other minor series such as Gesebel, Maxmagnus, Agent Dennis Cobb, Cliff, Black Mask and others), in celebrating the September 2023 issue 650 of "Alan Ford", an excellence of Italian comics, simultaneously announced that in 2024, with issue 660, publications will end. Created, as mentioned, at the end of the 60s by Max Bunker himself, who entirely scripted all the stories published to date, the project came to light with the collaboration of the excellent designer Magnus (Roberto Raviola) who, in addition to characterizing the various characters of the series he drew it for the first 75 issues, contributing significantly to its success, then followed by the very valid Paolo Piffarerio and subsequently, among others, by Dario Perucca who has worked on it from 1986 to today. The now legendary series was distributed for the first time in 1969 by Editoriale Corno, Bunker's first publishing house which, in addition to its many creative prerogatives, has always combined an out of the ordinary commercial vision, being was, for example, the first to import the American superheroes of Marvel and DC Comics onto the domestic comics market and to precede, perhaps the only one in that market segment, the dominant position of Sergio Bonelli Editore (Tex, Zagor, Mister No, Dylan Dog and many others). The "Alan Ford" project, after a timid start, has established itself over time thanks to its recipe capable of mixing social satire and action, grotesque traits and spy stories, starring iconic characters such as Alan himself, who enters " obtorto collo” in the legendary T.N.T. Group. (a ragtag group of secret agents) since the first issue, Number One (the undisputed leader of indefinite and indefinable age, knowledgeable of everything and everyone), Bob Rock, Count Oliver, Grunf, the Caryatid and others, becoming a cornerstone of the Italian comics scene, managing to exceed 50 years of history. Also memorable are some of the criminal enemies invented by Bunker, such as Superciuk, Gommaflex, Arsenico Lupòn and Baron Wurdalak, satirical sketches also and above all of national news and political events. On the news of the sad epilogue, which is also feral, mournful and very unpleasant for all his loyal readers, especially those, like myself, who grew up with his books, there is in any case an aura of mystery, which can perhaps and hopefully be traced back to an activity of marketing aimed at reawakening enthusiasm for a series and a character which, after the peak of the 70s\80s\90s, also fueled by the television transposition within the iconic "SuperGulp, comics on TV" program on the networks Rai, he's gone naturally diminishing, maintaining only the hard core of aficionados.
Personally, I would be very saddened because, as already said, I grew up with his books, collecting a large part of those published to date in the various versions, the "original" one, the various reprints, collections created ad hoc and called “green”, “red”, “fluorine”, titles of spin-off series artfully related to supposed colors which, in any case, artistically speaking, have never surpassed the classic stupendous original black & white and related gray scales, also making them furnishing accessories with the hardback editions, like a sort of National Geographic of comic art and irony. His stories, satirical and never banal and with an unparalleled, original and unrepeatable level of irony, accompanied my adolescence and all subsequent phases, certainly helping to shape a part of my character. I certainly owe him something and even more. I also tried to proselytize among my children and their friendships, finding fertile ground in terms of liking, in terms of narrating anecdotes, but not subsequently, unfortunately or fortunately, I don't know ( it is useless to judge each era since it has its prerogatives) today's changed dynamics of the occupation of free time which have now left the comics field aside, except for specific groups of enthusiasts.
I've read many comics, being a fan of the genre, but as far as I'm concerned nobody can compete with him: Alan Ford is and has always been head and shoulders above everything and everyone, at least for the Italian market. The great Max (Bunker, its creator, as he likes to define himself) also made it a matter of fighting against the monopoly of the reference market, as if it were a sort of David against Goliath, setting up a small independent publishing house, Max Bunker Production , to compete, as far as possible, with Sergio Bonelli Editore mentioned above which in Italy, on the comics market, has always dictated the law, making good and bad weather.
Reading the mail at the end of each issue was an unmissable event that extended the pleasure of reading and gave direct feedback with the founder, creator and unique and inimitable screenwriter and above all with his truly hilarious antics against everything and everyone.
Ultimately, an absolutely niche series, a market segment which, mutatis mutandis, I also encounter on a daily basis in the professional real estate brokerage activity on the range of prestigious properties that we have for exclusive sale, which can be viewed on the following websites:
Stefano Angeletti
Real estate consultant
https://www.engelvoelkers.com/it-it/civitanovamarche/
https://www.engelvoelkers.com/it-it/ancona/
