Milo Manara

[Kimikimidoll]

I have never felt the pull of erotic art until I saw his pictures. His colors, the expressions, the way it mixes with the background- feels like a dream, a dream I want to live in!

The best thing about his art is honestly the emotions. Most other erotic artwork don't evoke that kind of reaction from me. To me they look like lines, or diagrams showing something being done. But not his pictures. You see the lust, that desire, that playfulness, the moment of rest after that little jiggle..

Okay, I can go on forever. Here are some of his that are my own favorite:

http://www.comicon.it/MiloManarasite/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/AfficheManara.jpeg
https://encrypted-tbn3.***********/...mYFd1OxWAwqSAI_Rp-kKGvye9TSoEsjm9CidzZ5TB-7N9
And of course, this whole thing: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/18/41/c0/1841c0d233bb08c2f8e0a597813b7d2a.jpg

 

[CyranoJ]

Manara's Click! is one of the classic erotic comic series of all time.

 

[LWulf]

milo manara, for me, was and is a provocateur of that which is libidinous. His ability to express with sometimes simple sketches, to express the darker cravings of the soul, or at least to visually discuss what is beyond society's constructs of what is acceptable or not.

His artwork is sexually charged, sometimes simplistic, often whimsical, usually controversial, and appealingly repetitious.

 

[Kimikimidoll]

milo manara, for me, was and is a provocateur of that which is libidinous. His ability to express with sometimes simple sketches, to express the darker cravings of the soul, or at least to visually discuss what is beyond society's constructs of what is acceptable or not.

His artwork is sexually charged, sometimes simplistic, often whimsical, usually controversial, and appealingly repetitious.

Appealingly repetitious- he really did seem to like a certain type of woman, right? Wide eyed, invisible nosed, and that mouth and that hair.. oohhh...
First one I read was the Borgia series.

 

[LWulf]

Appealingly repetitious- he really did seem to like a certain type of woman, right? Wide eyed, invisible nosed, and that mouth and that hair.. oohhh...
First one I read was the Borgia series.

The first I read was The click 2, followed by butterscotch, and after that any one I could legally find. Some of his works are illegal in the US (the golden ass (or his version of it), for example).

 

[Black_and_White_Writer]

His artwork is very provocative. I've always loved the more European artists. They've not sacrificed as much as their American counterparts have.

Rest in Peace Steve Dillon

 

[CyranoJ]

They've not sacrificed as much as their American counterparts have.

I don't understand what this means?

 

[Black_and_White_Writer]

I don't understand what this means?

The move to the more 'super heroic' form of art that DC then Timely (later Marvel comics) would take. It was almost like a house style for anyone working in American comics. The diversity that had been much in evidence had all but died out by the late 1960s. It would be another 20 years before it got the choke hold that the overwhelming and prevailing had on it loosened.

Then with the success of Manga a whole new genre and style of art was inspiring American artists.

 

[THROBBS]

I enjoy Manara's masterful technique, and his preference of female protagonist resonates with me...however there tends to be a "darker" and violent focus to many of his works, which is off putting for me.

One can sometimes find that in movies and literature, where violence is used in conjunction with sexuality and eroticism... to give a sense of "gravitas"...? or... not sure why? As an "exposé" on the primal nature of mankind...?

I prefer my sex, consensual and sans the blood and gore, thank you.

BTW I do own several of his graphic novels.

 

[Kimikimidoll]

I enjoy Manara's masterful technique, and his preference of female protagonist resonates with me...however there tends to be a "darker" and violent focus to many of his works, which is off putting for me.

One can sometimes find that in movies and literature, where violence is used in conjunction with sexuality and eroticism... to give a sense of "gravitas"...? or... not sure why? As an "exposé" on the primal nature of mankind...?

I prefer my sex, consensual and sans the blood and gore, thank you.

BTW I do own several of his graphic novels.

The bit about the violence is true. That's maybe why I like it.

 

[THROBBS]

The bit about the violence is true. That's maybe why I like it.

To each their own.

I can find violence elsewhere... and plenty of it.

"Erotic" material (for me) is an escape from the more sadistic side of "humanity".
That is not to say, that I have not enjoyed a bit of dishing some (mild) bondage or a spanking or nipple clip (or two) to a willing partner.

 

[Paul_Chance]

I'm a huge Manara fan. He's an incredible artist - and as to the edge, yes, it's there and I think it is part of the appeal. Life is edgy.

 

[THROBBS]

I'm a huge Manara fan. He's an incredible artist - and as to the edge, yes, it's there and I think it is part of the appeal. Life is edgy.

Yep, "life" is, indeed "edgy". I am not saying his graphic novels/stories are not "quality" works. I take issue with categorizing them as "erotic", even though there are erotic elements to them.

 

[CyranoJ]

I wouldn't take issue with describing them as "erotic" at all. Erotica that compasses the darker side of human nature is not uncommon.

Manara's work certainly does have darker dimensions, though. A reviewer friend of mine once described it as "delicious, but bad for you," which is pretty accurate.

(Moreso than violence, his big kink seems to be public humiliation. I'm okay with it since it's a kink I partly share, but I do notice that Manara's version of this kink is often quite specifically about humiliation with serious, life- and career-destroying consequences; and for example, that something like Click! 2 is a series of set-piece erotic gags that basically punish the heroine for being an environmental crusader. His attitudes ain't always exactly pleasant... but of course sometimes that's part of the appeal in itself.)

I've not read the Borgia books, which I'm keen to do since they're a collaboration with Jodorowsky, which is a pretty exciting notion.

[Black_and_White_Writer: thanks for clarifying.]

 

[Black_and_White_Writer]

I wouldn't take issue with describing them as "erotic" at all. Erotica that compasses the darker side of human nature is not uncommon.

Manara's work certainly does have darker dimensions, though. A reviewer friend of mine once described it as "delicious, but bad for you," which is pretty accurate.

(Moreso than violence, his big kink seems to be public humiliation. I'm okay with it since it's a kink I partly share, but I do notice that Manara's version of this kink is often quite specifically about humiliation with serious, life- and career-destroying consequences; and for example, that something like Click! 2 is a series of set-piece erotic gags that basically punish the heroine for being an environmental crusader. His attitudes ain't always exactly pleasant... but of course sometimes that's part of the appeal in itself.)

I've not read the Borgia books, which I'm keen to do since they're a collaboration with Jodorowsky, which is a pretty exciting notion.

[Black_and_White_Writer: thanks for clarifying.]

Most welcome.

A lot of continental erotica (I'm thinking specifically of Erik Von Gotha) and the what I can only describe as 'sadistic' treatment of women makes me think of him as something of not just a sadist (he treats men and women badly) but as a misogynist.

Sadly for me that does creep into Manara's work but not as much. I love Indian Summer but I always have to skip the scene of the heroine being raped by a Native American. Which sadly colours the story for me, but having said that, dealing with the rape is a major component of the story from that point on so the rape isn't there simply for 'novelty' or titilation value but serves a valid purpose. Unlike Erik Von Gotha's work.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I wouldn't take issue with describing them as "erotic" at all. Erotica that compasses the darker side of human nature is not uncommon.

Manara's work certainly does have darker dimensions, though. A reviewer friend of mine once described it as "delicious, but bad for you," which is pretty accurate.

I've enjoyed some of his work; he did a good Sandman/Desire story, and his style worked well for that. I don't mind dark erotic content.

But this recent effort made me throw up in my mouth a little. Like, not everything needs to be made into jerk-off material, y'know?

 

[CyranoJ]

Yeah, I saw that. I was sadly not very surprised to see that Manara and Cho would be lured into the picking-stupid-fights-with-feminists behavioural loop. It will be nice when dudes (in comics / gaming / whatever) can just chill the fuck out and grasp the concept that there's a time and a place and one's kinks don't have to be the standard to which general audience content is held.

(That goes doubly for whoever was programming that conference. Naming a session "Women and Comics" and then making it a mutual love-fest between Cho and Manara is like programming a "Women and Comedy" panel and then inviting Andrew Dice Clay and Daniel Tosh to do stand-up.)

A lot of continental erotica (I'm thinking specifically of Erik Von Gotha) and the what I can only describe as 'sadistic' treatment of women makes me think of him as something of not just a sadist (he treats men and women badly) but as a misogynist.

Sadly for me that does creep into Manara's work but not as much. [...]

I agree. Manara is no species of progressive but there's usually something a little more interesting going on narratively in his work beyond the kinks.

 

[Kimikimidoll]

Since a lot of you all seem to be familiar with his work, can anyone find and tell me where this pic came from?
http://www.neeerd.com/img/imgAlbume...-by-milo-manara-milo-manara-dibujos-minas.jpg
actually I'm looking for a specific picture- I think this girl is standing and looking from a balcony or something.

 

[Paul_Chance]

The specific work is from Memory (or Memories). It's been licensed and used as book covers and at least one movie poster and it also appears in The Women of Milo Manara. It was one of the plates in Memory - since he is essentially a graphic artist by profession, it may have been a commissioned work that he resold in Memory.

Is this the balcony image you're thinking of?

http://cdn2.all-art.org/pin-up_art1/3/manara/ManaraBird.jpg

 

[Kimikimidoll]

The specific work is from Memory (or Memories). It's been licensed and used as book covers and at least one movie poster and it also appears in The Women of Milo Manara. It was one of the plates in Memory - since he is essentially a graphic artist by profession, it may have been a commissioned work that he resold in Memory.

Is this the balcony image you're thinking of?

http://cdn2.all-art.org/pin-up_art1/3/manara/ManaraBird.jpg

Oh no. Okay, it looks like she's in a a white night gown, it's morning, maybe she's on a balcony, and I think a gust of wind exposes her.. umm.. pussy (good lord I felt dirty saying that lol)

 

[LWulf]

Since a lot of you all seem to be familiar with his work, can anyone find and tell me where this pic came from?
http://www.neeerd.com/img/imgAlbume...-by-milo-manara-milo-manara-dibujos-minas.jpg
actually I'm looking for a specific picture- I think this girl is standing and looking from a balcony or something.

I've found that piece as cover art for klic 2 but I've seen many different pieces used as cover art depending on which publisher was producing the story

 

[Kimikimidoll]

Found it!

Where did this image come from?
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a1/b6/9e/a1b69e6714d1ce2e4cee0fdd77b38e49.jpg
I am in love with the scene.
Edit: yes, so much that I've made it my avatar!

 

[OldUncleJack]

Wonderful thread! I love his work in Heavy Metal

 

[Paul_Chance]

Manara has been reprinted many times and the publishers frequently re-use illustrations across books for both the cover art and the plate art. (For example, my cover of Click 2 is different, though the original picture was also used and Click 2 (an Italian edition).

The second picture, the one you were looking for, is part of a famous postcard series he did, where it was called "Siren" (Sirenae). He later wrote a book (also called Siren) around several of the images from the postcards.

 

[LauraSole]

Holy sh*t. He has to be one of the most amazing artist I've seen to this day.