| Guido Martina | |
|---|---|
| Born | Guido Martina (1906-02-09)9 February 1906 Carmagnola, Italy |
| Died | 6 May 1991(1991-05-06) (aged 85) Rome, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Area(s) | Writer |
Notable works | Paperinik,Paperinika |
Guido Martina (9 February 1906 – 6 May 1991) was an Italian comic writer, documentarist and author. Martina is well known for hisDisney comics stories, including the first of the "Disney Parodies [it]" story "L'inferno di Topolino", and the creation ofPaperinik,Donald Duck's superhero alter ego.
Born inCarmagnola, at 16 years old Martina moved with his family toTurin, where he graduated in literature and philosophy because of the insistence of his father, while he would have preferred to study engineering.[1] After brief experiences as teacher and journalist forIl Popolo d'Italia, he realized several documentaries as director and screenwriter, moving to live and work inParis for five years.[2][3][4]
Returned to Italy in 1938, Martina started collaborating withTopolino as translator of American stories. During this time he also wrote a radio variety show and directed a short-lived satirical magazine,Fra' Diavolo.[4] DuringWorld War II he served ascavalry officer inLibya, where he was taken prisoner by the British army. Following theArmistice of Cassibile he was moved inPoland, from where he was deported to a Nazi concentration camp inAustria.[2]
In 1945, Martina reprised his collaboration withTopolino, also creating his first originalDisney comics stories. In 1949 he started the "Disney Parodies [it]" (i.e. "Disney Parodies") saga with the celebrated story "L'inferno di Topolino", a parody ofDante Alighieri'sInferno. During his career he wrote hundreds of stories, creating dozens of characters, includingPaperinik.
In 1949, he created withRaffaele Paparella the popular western seriesPecos Bill, and in 1952 the adventure seriesOklahoma. He also collaborated with the comic magazinesCucciolo andTiramolla, and wrote severalphotonovels forIl Vittorioso.[3][4]
Outside comics, Martina also collaborated with Disney as author of 11 volumes of the 24 volumes-longEnciclopedia Disney, and as author of the book series in 21 volumesIn giro per il mondo con Disney.[3]
