ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Colville: The Mysterious Comic by Steven Gilbert Gets Italian Edition

publication · 2026-05-05

The obscure 1997 graphic novel 'Colville' by Steven Gilbert, once considered lost, has been republished in Italian by Coconino Press in 2017. Gilbert, who self-published the original 64-page comic at the Small Press Expo, disappeared from the comics scene to open a comic shop in Newmarket, Canada. After online rediscovery by critics like Frank Santoro, Gilbert returned in 2013 with 'The Journal of Main Street Secret Lodge' and released an expanded 200-page edition of 'Colville' in 2015. Italian cartoonist Ratigher, intrigued by online discussions, contacted Gilbert directly and obtained a copy. When Ratigher became art director of Coconino Press in 2017, he immediately secured the Italian translation. The book is priced at €17, ISBN 9788876183768.

Key facts

  • Steven Gilbert self-published 'Colville' in 1997 at the Small Press Expo.
  • The original 64-page comic was considered lost and impossible to find.
  • Frank Santoro wrote about 'Colville' on Comics Comics, struggling to recall the author's name.
  • Gilbert responded to online discussions and returned to comics in 2013 with 'The Journal of Main Street Secret Lodge'.
  • In 2015, Gilbert released an expanded 200-page edition of 'Colville'.
  • Italian cartoonist Ratigher contacted Gilbert via email and received a copy within days.
  • Ratigher became art director of Coconino Press in 2017 and initiated the Italian translation.
  • The Italian edition of 'Colville' was published in 2017 by Coconino Press, Bologna, 192 pages, €17.

Entities

Artists

  • Steven Gilbert
  • Frank Santoro
  • Ratigher

Institutions

  • Coconino Press
  • Small Press Expo
  • Comics Comics
  • Fandango Editore

Locations

  • Newmarket
  • Canada
  • Bologna
  • Italy

Sources