Otto Gabos has always been fascinated by themes and settings related to noir: the metropolis and the experience of crossing through it, the lives on the margins, the rubble, and the mysteries that hide within them. Such elements are also present in his later books. In the novel Sarti Antonio. Come cavare un ragno dal buco, by crime novelist Loriano Macchiavelli, the words are interrupted to leave a story of pictures, and this alternation amplifies the tension of the story’s climax. La giustizia siamo noi, created with Pino Cacucci, is on the other hand a graphic novel whose text and illustrations come together to create an intense and exciting comic. The exhibition Black Year is a voyage between comics and literature, all dedicated to noir.

Otto Gabos (Mario Rivelli) was born in Cagliari in 1962. In 1985, he made his debut in “Tempi Supplementari” and went on to publish the most important magazines in the field. In 1992, he published for Granata Press the graphic novel Tobacco, which was created together with writer Pino Cacucci and re-released by BD Alta Fedeltà in 2005. He collaborated with Emidio Clementi on Finale di sangue, a story inspired by the famous character Fantomas. He wrote several series for “Cyborg,” both in versions for Star Comics and for Telemaco. For Phoenix he wrote Apartments, the graphic novel Coldgraze, and the miniseries San Pietro. He illustrated covers and volumes for Einaudi, Zanichelli, Paravia, Bruno Mondadori, and Giunti. For Lang publications, he created a comic version of the novel Un sacchetto di biglie by Joseph Joffo. In 2010, he published Sarti Antonio. Come cavare un ragno dal buco for Leonardo Publishing and La giustizia siamo noi, edited by Rizzoli. Besides drawing comics, he writes, illustrates, and teaches comic art at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Bologna.