Desdemona #01

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DESDEMONA CREATED BY GIUSEPPE DI BERNARDO AND ANDREA J. POLIDORI

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GIUSEPPE DI BERNARDO & FRANCESCO MATTEUZZI

ARTISTS

MICHELA DA SACCO & MICHELE BENEVENTO

COVER ARTIST

GIUSEPPE DI BERNARDO

COVER COLORIST

CLAUDIA SG

LETTERER & DESIGNER

DENISE DI PRIMA

TRANSLATOR

NIGEL BORG

INTRODUCTION

GIUSEPPE PENNESTRI

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WRITERS

DESDEMONA VOL. 1 ISBN: 978-0-9926443-6-9 DESDEMONA: Forgotten Crimes. March 2015. First English-Language Edition.

Published by DieGo Comics Publishing Ltd. London UK. Copyright of the English edition © DieGo Comics Publishing Ltd 2015. Desdemona character is copyright © Andrea J. Polidori & Giuseppe Di Bernardo 2015. All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means (except for short excerpts for review purposes) without the express written permission of DieGo Comics Publishing Ltd. All names, characters, events and locales in this publication are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events or places, without satiric intent, is coincidental. International Rights Representative: Giuseppe Pennestri

COMICS PUBLISHING

Diego Comics Publishing ltd 77 Gransden House SE8 3QL London United Kingdom

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INTRODUCTION

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lorence, capital of Tuscany! The city that revelled in prosperity and beauty under Lorenzo de ‘Medici, thanks to Da Vinci, Michelangelo and others - the city that over the centuries has given birth to artists and writers from Dante and Boccaccio to Petrarch.

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In today’s modern age, however, Florence is scene to the adventures of Desdemona Metus, university student by day and radio DJ by night. The city she walks is not the one you find in tourist guides - it is HER Florence, as dark as night, in which crime and politics are intertwined with mysteries of the city that will grip you! Go past the olive groves and into the dark maze of Florence’s streets, where “ordinary” stories cross with international conspiracy. This is Desdemona, a journey of discovery into Florence and Italy.

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This issue that you hold in your hands is special the first of thirteen hardback volumes of Desdemona series! So stock up, if you have not already done so, as you will not find this anywhere else!

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It has been almost two years since I read the first issue of Desdemona, which engrossed me so much that it took some effort to pause long enough for analytical thought.

It was long ago that I left behind the comic stories of “superheroes” for more layered protagonists, but I sensed something unusual and special in this radio DJ. I was struck by the many cultural references that I found in these pages, and knew immediately that Desdemona was an innovative character, of a comic book without superheroes or extraordinary powers, monsters, elves or dragons.

Our hero is not without fear or flaw for Desdemona makes mistakes - as with every human being - and shares these experiences in her broadcasts that cover so many odd things. The comic’s structure and content might suggest it is for mature readers, but the depth of its storytelling power leads me to recommend it also to a young adult audience. After all, the unknown can always be discovered.

I am proud to have the opportunity to publish Desdemona, a character who deserves to reach a wide audience. I am sure that you will agree after reading this book, especially after finishing the thirteen episodes that make up the series, and know that you’ll love Desdemona’s voice. Her voice, as well as the thousands behind it, of the characters to whom she lends her microphone. As well, of course, as the voices of us readers because, let’s face it, each of us will read it with a different voice!

If you enjoy this first story of Desdemona, by all means spread the news. Tell your friends, your family, even those to whom you owe money! Talk about her! Write about her!

Do whatever you can to help raise awareness of Desdemona’s adventures, so that all of us can enjoy the path that leads to the series’ conclusion. Because Giuseppe Di Bernardo is a writer worth reading, and Desdemona is a book worth fighting for.

Giuseppe Pennestri

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FOR SOME DEEJAYS THE MICROPHONE IS AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE WHOSE ONLY PURPOSE IS TO RELAY THE COLD, HARD FACTS OF THE NEWS.

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FOR OTHERS IT’S A USEFUL WEAPON TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST WRONGDOINGS AND INJUSTICE. THEY CALL IT SOCIAL REPORTING, AND I TRY TO DO IT WHEN I’M ABLE.

FOR ME, IT’S DIFFERENT: THE MICROPHONE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BLANK PAGE ON WHICH TO TRACE, WITH ONE’S VOICE AS INK, FAINT LINES THAT STIR THE SOUL.

TO YET OTHERS IT’S AN INVISIBLE SPEAKER TO WHOM THEY CONFESS ALL THEIR SECRETS, LIVE. A PUBLIC CONFESSIONAL TO DO PENANCE FOR ONE’S DEEDS...

THE MICROPHONE OF THIS LITTLE RADIO STATION IS MY, AND YOUR, LIFE. THE LIFE THAT REACHES US THROUGH THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO TELL.

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I know sweetheart.

Come on… just a little bit more...

Mom ...

I’m tired ...

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After all... wherever did they think a woman and child would go to?

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There they are!

They haven’t gotten far.

We'll catch up with them in no time...

Back in the car.

We'll catch them before they get to the woods.

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Don’t be afraid, my love.

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Don’t be afraid...

No! My chess set!

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You'll see.

They’ll be even more beautiful.

When we get back to the camp, Sindel will make you a new one!

I want my Queen back!

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They went this way!

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Do you need help?

They ...

They’re after us!

Halt!

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Dort sind sie!

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Quick!

Climb up!

Damn it!

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Text: G. Di Bernardo - F. Matteuzzi Artwork: Michela Da Sacco - Michele Benevento

Today,

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Avast, night-owl pirates!

Radio Strega is the best anchor that you can hope to find in the stormy seas of the ether ...

They’re signalling me from the control room there’s another call on the line ...

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I can understand what you’re saying, Marco, but you can’t presume she thinks like you ...

Desdy ...

Hi, I'm Paolo. It's great to be able to talk to you!

Get to the point. There are a lot of people waiting to express their views.

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I manage the computer network for a fashion company, and I often work at night ...

I just wanted to thank you for all the times you kept us company ...

Hello to all our hyperconnected listeners.

I accept the compliment and move on … Fabio, go ahead with the next call!

“Voiceof ofthe the night night in “Voice the finds in theevening eveningsky, sky, that that finds truths lost in the winds of truths lost in the winds of time. time.

Searching there, where Searching there, where no oneno one expects, beyond the expects, beyondamong the reflection: reflection: silver among flecks…” silver flecks…”

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Hey Desdemona ...

I recognise this voice! Dear listeners, we have the honour of having with us none other than Claudia: the only real journalist of this station!

Did you get the poem I wrote for you? It’s called “Moonsickness” “...The mists shrouding the stories dispelled, the tales arrive to the ending impelled, and are returned by a gentle breeze, to stillness.”

wow!

I found it this evening on the table, and… well, no one has ever dedicated a poem to me… to what do I owe the honour?

I find that you and the moon are similar… moody and mysterious...

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