The publishing project, created by the Historical Office of the Italian Air Force, was presented at the 28th edition of Romics
The “100 Years of the Italian Air Force in Comics" necklace“, produced by the Historical Office of the’Italian Air Force To pay tribute to the aviators of yesterday and today, in view of the centenary of the Armed Force, it was presented today, Sunday 10 April, hello 28th edition of Romics – International Festival of Comics, Animation, Cinema and Games.
The comic book series “100AM”, comprising 12 volumes, is one of numerous projects undertaken by the’Blue Weapon to celebrate the Centenary since its founding, which took place on 28 March 1923. The 12 Graphic novel will be gradually published over the coming months and will accompany Italian citizens towards the celebration of 28 March 2023, an opportunity to spread aeronautical values and culture within the territory and, above all, to bring young people closer to the Armed Force.
Over the course of’launch event of the comic book series, the Air Vice-Marshal Giovanni Francesco Adamo – Head of the 5th Department “Communication” of the Air Force General Staff – emphasised how the publishing project, a unique undertaking of its kind, also benefits from the collaboration of young emerging authors. “This collection of graphic novels is intended for the “millennial” generation.” and narrates the stories of our heroes of the past and present; exceptional or everyday stories that have brought lustre to the Armed Force in its first 100 years of life” he told the public.
Also present at the event was the’Art Director of the necklace, Francesco Archidiacono, who added “The episodes recounted are of different types. We have tried to represent this variety through the different styles of young authors and illustrators involved in this project, so that each volume was recognisable. Historical realism as a guiding star before us, to ensure the highest fidelity of all details of the aircraft, weapons and uniforms designed.
In addition, the following individuals also spoke during the presentation: Marco Trecalli – author and illustrator of the first episode “Ali at El Alamein“., Vincenzo Grienti – author of the second volume “Flying for life“., Andrea Frittella and Sara Colella – respectively, the artist and colourist for an upcoming episode entirely dedicated to the commandos.
“At El Alamein”, the first volume in the series, by Marco Trecalli, already available for purchase at the following link https://www.amazon.it/Ali-El-Alamein-Marco-Trecalli/dp/8888180524/, recounts the exploits of Colonel Mario Giuliano, Captain Livio Ceccotti, and Lieutenants Ezio Bevilacqua and Giuseppe Oblach, four aviators awarded the M.O.V.M. (Gold Medal for Military Valour) for heroic deeds carried out during the Second World War in the skies over El Alamein. It is the story of four great aviators united by a single destiny, with an epilogue about a legendary historical event, accomplished by the A.D.R.A. (Arditi Distruttori Regia Aeronautica - Elite Raiders of the Royal Air Force) at the Anglo-American airport of Benina, in North Africa. Within a nested narrative structure, the recounting of memories and the intertwining of actions serve as a basis for an investigation into the forms of courage that lead man to surpass himself.
“Flying for life”, the second volume in the series, tells the story of three characters: two pilots and an Air Force rescue rescuer on the front line of saving human lives, narrated by the journalist Vincenzo Grienti and illustrated by the comic artist Katia Ranalli.
The Graphic novel It retraces, through the memories of the protagonists, news events of great humanitarian significance: the tragedy of the ferry Norman Atlantic on 28 December 2014 and the flood in Sarno, Quindici, Siano and Bracigliano, which occurred in Campania in May 1998. To these accounts are added those of the almost daily missions of emergency medical transport and those of the high bio-containment flights carried out during the Covid-19 emergency.
