Dead Enzo Fiaccolo, historical draftsman of Diabolik

Enzo Facciolo, Diabolik’s historic draftsman, died today at the age of 89. Diabolik’s designer since 1963, Facciolo was commissioned by the Giussani sisters, creators of the character, to standardize the appearance of the protagonists, giving Diabolik, but also Ginko and Eva, the graphic image that still characterizes them today. “It seems unacceptable to me that Enzo Facciolo is no longer here, ready to talk about any topic (preferably not comics) as we have been doing for more than fifty years. A part of my life goes away with the Maestro”, the words of Mario Gomboli, director of Astorina. Born in Milan in 1931, Facciolo attended the Art School at the Castello Sforzesco. After graduating, he founded his own animation studio whose experimental activity brought him to the attention of the great Pagot brothers in 1954. In 1959 he wrote and designed his first comic strip, a short series entitled “Clint two hits” for Edizioni Domai. In 1963 he was called by the Astorina publishing house and signed the episode number 10 ‘Hangman’. To give a definitive characterization to Diabolik, at the explicit request of the Giussani sisters, Facciolo is inspired by the eyes and face of the actor Robert Taylor, also creating the characteristic close-fitting hood in place of the balaclava of the beginning. Sue are also the characterization of Ginko and Eva Kant (inspired by Grace Kelly), as well as Altea (Inspired by Capucine). The logo of the Astorina publishing house, still in use today, with Diabolik throwing the dagger is inspired by one of his drawings. Enzo Facciolo illustrated 245 episodes of the diabolika necklace, alone or with others.