February 15, 2020

DIABOLIK INTERVIEW

Diabolik Interview: Patrick Pezzati. With all the excitement around the upcoming Blu-ray release of Danger Diabolik in May, Spy Vibe has been celebrating the Diabolik universe with a series of posts about the music, set designs, action figures, and even the Diabolik theme park ride! My old friend, Patrick Pezzati, also joined me in the Spy Vibe lair recently for a brief chat about what it was like to grow up reading the Diabolik comics. Patrick lived in Italy between pre-school and college and spent those formative years exposed to both Italian and American culture and read counter-culture titles like Diabolik and the secret agent satire comic, Alan Ford. He founded the awesome chain of New England record shops, Turn it Up, in 1995 -my weekly haunt for fifteen years until I left for sunnier climes. Welcome, Patrick!


How did you first get introduced to Diabolik? What were your earliest impressions?
It was so early that I don’t really remember, but it was always one of the most popular comics in Italy where I grew up. The first things that were attractive were the cleverness of the disguises and tricks he and Eva used, and the cool gadgets they had. Above all, the fact that the bad guy always won was unusual and very cool to us rebellious teenagers.
You collected the comics when you were growing up?
Yes, I had hundreds of issues at one time and bought new issues as they came out. [below: Patrick's current stash].
How were the comics distributed? Were they monthly? Could you subscribe, or did you have to find them locally at news agents and bookshops?
You could subscribe, but I don’t remember ever doing so because there were newsstands and “cartolerie” (paper supply shops) everywhere that sold the monthly issues (as well as the reissues that came out regularly).
So, one could look for old issues, as well?
Yes, you could send away for older issues and I did that a few times; there were shops that sold older original comics, and they often had reissue series you could buy.
So cool! The comics have typically been difficult to find in the States, so I’m sure some readers are wishing they could go back in time and tap into that market. Did you have friends who were into Diabolik, too, or was this something you explored on your own?
Almost all my “rebel” friends loved Diabolik.
Apparently, the tone of Diabolik evolved over the length of the series, from ruthless criminal to an anti-hero with Robin Hood qualities. What did you note over the course of your reading the character?
At first it was all about the gadgets and disguises, as I mentioned above. As I got older and as the series evolved, the interaction and mutual respect between Diabolik and Ginko grew and became much more significant. Hard to say how much was the change in the characters and how much was my own increased observational abilities and interest in the characters themselves, though.
As a reader of the comic, what did you think of Mario Bava’s screen adaptation?
I have to admit that I’ve only seen snippets of it, so I can’t really say. Got to put it on the list, though!
You are in for a real treat! Did you collect other Diabolik items?
We may have picked up a few gadgets here and there but nothing we specifically collected. I had a model car once when I was about 12 that replicated some of the trickery in the comics.
Fun! That sounds like a similar thing to the Corgi car series. Back to the theme of rebellion: one theory about why anti-heroes have been more prevalent in Italy, France, and Germany especially is because those cultures dealt more with aspects of anarchy, defeat and rebuilding, and questioning of authority. Does that theory resonate at all with you?
Absolutely! Gangster movies were always popular, but even in terms of real life that was the case. In post-fascist Italy all the documentaries we watched in school focused on the “resistance”, so the anti-heroes were always celebrated in every aspect of life. We also had an influx of artists and musicians from Chile after Pinochet so we were keenly aware of “fighting the power”.
That makes a lot of sense, and it’s so interesting how heroes reflect their different cultures. Looking back, what were some of your favorite elements (or stories) you saw in the Diabolik universe?
As I mentioned above, the disguises and the gadgets were the first thing that drew me in. The exotic fictional locales added to the allure, too. Overall, the way Diabolik evaded certain defeat and/or death every time was what brought me back again and again. In a way, the fact that he was an outlaw made him the ultimate underdog.
That’s a great overview of the series and I think it will help new readers/viewers who might pick up the new Blu-ray. Thank you! 
Thanks, this was fun!
Thank you for stopping by! Related Spy Vibe posts: Diabolik FiguresDiabolik SoundsDiabolik Set DesignDiabolik Park Ride, Danger Diabolik BluSpy Vibers might also enjoy my Diabolikal board on Pinterest. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: New 007 SongDiabolik FiguresDiabolik SoundsDiabolik Set DesignDiabolik Park Ride, Danger Diabolik BluCount Arthur StrongHoney West Title CardsBowie DayNew Year CosmonautsNeil Innes R.I.P.Claudine Auger R.I.P.OHMSS at 50Italian Job 50th OSTCharles Schulz ModernPaul DesmondPython 50thRandall Hopkirk 50thThunderbirds DayLazenby Returns to MI6Dr. John R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin IIILupin SkaSpy Vibe PrimeZigomar TranslationThe Village: Part 1Monkey Punch R.I.P., Bubble Girl 63ITC SoundtracksSpy Vibe Radio: Public EyeUFO PrimeSpaceship to MarsModesty Blaise CompanionSpy Vibe Radio: FantomasGeorge DayFantomas BluDark Shadows DocBedazzled Blu-rayMary Quant ExhibitLaika CalypsoLost in Space JapanSpy Dust CalypsoAtomic CafeJohn Barry MonoInterview: John Barry BookLand of the Giants ScoreSkyfall ConcertDearest EmmaSpy Vibe Radio: UppersevenOgilvy at ElstreeMabuse PropagandaBond Beatles DaySpy Vibe Radio: LiquidatorDiabolik LPFab DressesEurospy Music CollectionBeetle Bailey in West BerlinWhy Mort Walker?Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!Avengers Critical GuideThe SpotnicksBenny SpiesJames Pond 0017'Satire StonesAnnette Andre BookCat DaySpy Vibe Radio: Get SmartCaine: My GenerationInterview: Ian OgilvyHorror of Party BeachSylvie Vartan RenownRingo At 78Dark Shadows StripsSpy Vibe Radio: FlintArchie Batman 66Paul at 76Beatles Pac-ManSpy Vibe Radio: Jerry CottonThe Invaders007 Horowitz Book TourMcGoohan/Prisoner Event at ElstreeThe Prisoner Interviews Vol 1British Underground PressInterview: Fab4 ManiaBond Cocktail BookBond at BletchleySpy SmasherSpy Vibe Radio: Peter GunnAgent Zero MNew Prisoner ComicDr. No Villains Edition,  Spy Vibe Radio: Danger DiabolikDr. No 60thOy-Oy-SevenSpy Vibe Radio (UFO)Cold War Comic StripsThunderball EventMission to IndiaMort Walker Celebration,  Peter Wyngarde CelebrationBatman 66 ExhibitPrisoner Fifty EventIan Fleming Publications 2017-2018Interview: Ed Hulse PulpAvengers Audio DramaInterview: Callan At 50Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private EyesTWA ReturnsSpy Vibe Radio 8Interview: Ryan HeshkaMid-Century Modern SchulzAgent WerewolfJohnny Sokko 50thInterview: Trina RobbinsEddie IzzardThe Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50thHugh Hefner R.I.P.Jack Good R.I.P.Interview: Shaken Not StirredCallan 50thSpy Vibe Radio 7The Prisoner 50th EventSpy-Fi EventKaho Aso 007Two MillionBo DiddleyCarnaby PopLe Carre EventsBilly Bragg SkiffleElvis 68Jack Kirby The PrisonerCasino Royale ConcertReview: The Prisoner Vol 2Interview: The Prisoner Essential GuideMaud Russell MottisfontSpy Vibe Radio 4Batman GallantsAdam West R.I.P.Village TriangleRoger Moore R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio 3Sgt Pepper 50thSatanik Kriminal OST60s OverdriveMake Love in LondonSpy Vibe Radio 2Spy Vibe Radio 1James Bond StripsPropaganda MabuseInterview: Police SurgeonXTC Avengers1966 Pep SpiesBatman Book InterviewExclusive Fleming InterviewAvengers Comic StripsRobert Vaughn RIPUNCLE FashionsThunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film GuideLost Avengers FoundThe Callan FileMission Impossible 50thGreen Hornet 50thStar Trek 50thPortmeirion Photography 1Filming the PrisonerGaiman McGinnins ProjectIan Fleming GraveRevolver at 50Karen Romanko InterviewMod Tales 2Umbrella Man: Patrick MacneeNew Beatles FilmThe Curious CameraEsterel Fashion 1966Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview007 Tribute CoversThe Phantom Avon novels returnIan Fleming FestivalArgoman DesignSylvia Anderson R.I.P.Ken Adam R.I.P.George Martin R.I.P.The New Avengers ComicsThe Phantom at 80007 MangaAvengerworld BookDiana Rigg Auto ShowThe Prisoner Audio Drama Review.