The Cage: Martin Vaughn-James's cult graphic novel finally in Italian
Coconino Press publishes the first Italian edition of 'The Cage' (1975) by British-born artist Martin Vaughn-James (1943–2009), a wordless, surreal graphic novel that defies conventional narrative. The book, introduced by cartoonist Seth, presents a nightmarish loop of a cage, a Mesoamerican pyramid, desert, and a pumping station, with no characters or dialogue. Vaughn-James, who died in Provence in 2009, created a cult work that anticipates Dylan Dog and the geometric horror of 'The Shining'. The Italian edition, released in 2024, includes a new translation and critical apparatus. The work's fragmented text and obsessive imagery explore time, decay, and reality.
Key facts
- Martin Vaughn-James created 'The Cage' in 1975.
- The graphic novel has no characters or speech bubbles.
- The Italian edition is published by Coconino Press in 2024.
- Seth wrote the introduction to the Italian edition.
- The narrative loops through a cage, pyramid, desert, and pumping station.
- Vaughn-James was born in Bristol in 1943 and died in Provence in 2009.
- The work is considered a precursor to Dylan Dog and 'The Shining'.
- The text is fragmented and lacks logical coherence.
Entities
Artists
- Martin Vaughn-James
- Seth
Institutions
- Coconino Press
Locations
- Bristol
- Provence
- Italy