Martoz's new children's graphic novel 'La mela mascherata'

Martoz, the Italian comic artist born Alessandro Martorelli in Assisi in 1990, has released a new children's graphic novel titled 'La mela mascherata'. The story is set in the county of Cotignola and follows the adventures of herbalist Lucia and a band of quirky cowboys riding giant cats as they seek the miraculous Mela Cotogna to overthrow the brigand Passatore and free Count Muzio, falsely accused of polluting the river. The narrative blends fantasy and reality, with characters inspired by historical figures from Cotignola. Martoz, winner of the Boscarato Prize 2016 for best emerging author and the Nuove Strade award at Napoli Comicon 2017, employs his distinctive cubist pictorial style. The book is published by Canicola Edizioni, Bologna, 2017, 64 pages, color, €16, ISBN 9788899524142.