Guido De Maria, Pioneer of TV Comics, Dies at 94
Guido De Maria, a pioneering Italian artist who transformed television comics with "Gulp!" and "Supergulp!", passed away on August 31, 2026, at the age of 94. He was born in 1932 in Lama Mocogno and, in the early 1970s, created a unique method for animating comic strips, debuting on Rai in 1972 and surpassing Mike Bongiorno's "Rischiatutto." His shows featured iconic characters like Alan Ford and Marvel superheroes. De Maria was also the co-creator of detective Nick Carter and established Vidmer Film, producing over 1,200 commercials. In the 1990s, he co-directed the humor magazine Comix, helping to launch artists such as Daniele Luttazzi. He was known for his innovative approach and lived in Modena, Bologna, Reggio Emilia, and Milan.
Key facts
- Guido De Maria died on August 31, 2026, at age 94.
- He was born in 1932 in Lama Mocogno, Italy.
- He created the TV shows 'Gulp!' and 'Supergulp!' that brought comics to television.
- The technique involved zooming on comic panels and voice-over reading of speech bubbles.
- The first episode aired in 1972 on Rai's second channel and beat 'Rischiatutto' in ratings.
- He co-created the character Nick Carter with Bonvi.
- He founded Vidmer Film in 1960 and produced over 1,200 commercials.
- He co-directed the magazine 'Comix' in the 1990s.
- He collaborated with artists like Francesco Guccini, Maurizio Costanzo, and Alessandro Bergonzoni.
- The show 'Supergulp!' featured Marvel superheroes from 1977.
Entities
Artists
- Guido De Maria
- Bonvi
- Francesco Guccini
- Osvaldo Cavandoli
- Bruno Bozzetto
- Pupi Avati
- Wes Anderson
- Spike Jonze
- Silver
- Cochi & Renato
- Paul Campani
- Maurizio Costanzo
- Enzo Biagi
- Andrea Pazienza
- Alessandro Bergonzoni
- Gene Gnocchi
- Paolo Hendel
- Jovanotti
- Aldo, Giovanni e Giacomo
- Daniele Luttazzi
- Natalino Balasso
- Fabio Fazio
- Altan
- Bill Watterson
- Cinzia Leone
- Massimo Cavezzali
- Disegni & Caviglia
- Sauro Ciantini
- Gary Larson
- Jacovitti
- Schulz
- Franco Godi
- Giorgio Marchi
- Beppe Cottafavi
- John Russell Coryell
- Mike Bongiorno
- Giancarlo Governi
Institutions
- Rai
- Vidmer Film
- Panini
- Franco Cosimo Panini
- Artribune
- Marvel
Locations
- Lama Mocogno
- Italy
- Modena
- Bologna
- Reggio Emilia
- Milan