Andrea Pazienza

Italian comics artist and illustrator, central figure of the late-1970s/1980s Bologna scene; creator of landmark works such as Pentothal, Zanardi and Pompeo. Collaborated with magazines like Il Male and Frigidaire. Died in 1988 of a heroin overdose.

Collaborated with Frigidaire and Il Male; influential in the Bologna 1977 cultural movement; frequently explored themes of youth, politics, addiction and existential despair in a highly expressive, variable drawing style. Death from heroin overdose in 1988 is noted in contemporary reviews.

Andrea Pazienza is presented in these reviews as a central figure of Italian comics, creator of landmark works such as Pentothal, Zanardi and Pompeo. Reviews praise his expressive urgency, stylistic versatility and raw depictions of addiction and youth. A few later/collected short pieces receive milder criticism.

For:Fans of graphic novels, students of contemporary Italian culture, readers interested in underground comics and counterculture art.