Dylan Dog Turns 40: Barbara Baraldi on Curating Italy's Longest-Running Horror Comic
Since 2023, Barbara Baraldi has taken on the role of curator for Dylan Dog, guiding the creative direction and collaborating with Sergio Bonelli Editore. As the fourth curator in the series' 40-year legacy, originally established by Tiziano Sclavi, she reviews story proposals, favoring brief pitches, and oversees Speciale Dylan Dog and Color Fest. Having contributed to Dylan Dog since 2012, Baraldi has penned well-received stories like Memorie dall'invisibile and Caccia alle streghe. Following her predecessor, Roberto Recchioni, who introduced new characters and complex story arcs that divided fans, Baraldi has shifted back to themes reminiscent of Sclavi’s original vision while reducing nostalgic elements and has launched a trilogy focused on artificial intelligence. She advocates for a "show, don't tell" approach in storytelling, inspired by diverse influences.
Key facts
- Dylan Dog was created by Tiziano Sclavi and its first issue was published forty years ago by Sergio Bonelli Editore.
- Barbara Baraldi became curator of Dylan Dog in 2023 and is the fourth curator in the series' history.
- Baraldi evaluates story proposals daily; she prefers three-line pitches but has received submissions up to six pages long.
- Bonelli is one of the few companies worldwide allowing comic writers to live from serialized work.
- Tiziano Sclavi created the London setting and characters Inspector Bloch, Xabaras and Groucho, and still makes final proposal selections.
- Each Dylan Dog issue runs 94 pages, and about a year usually passes between proposal approval and publication.
- Covers must be completed three months before newsstand release due to previews in the magazine Preview.
- Baraldi has written for Dylan Dog since 2012 and drafts her own scripts on weekends; she released an AI-themed trilogy after her appointment.
Entities
Artists
- Barbara Baraldi
- Tiziano Sclavi
- Claudio Chiaverotti
- Roberto Recchioni
- Luigi Mignacco
- Giuseppe Ferrandino
- Groucho Marx
- George Romero
- Curry Barker
Institutions
- Sergio Bonelli Editore
- Dylan Dog
- Preview
- Il Post
Locations
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom