Leo Ortolani

Leonardo Ortolani, known professionally as Leo, was born on 14 January 1967 in Italy. He is best known as the creator of the long-running comic series *Rat-Man*, a satirical superhero parody that became a cult phenomenon in Italian comics. Ortolani began his career in the late 1980s, self-publishing short stories before *Rat-Man* debuted in 1995. The series, which he wrote, drew, inked, lettered, and colored, follows a bumbling, anthropomorphic rat in a superhero costume, blending slapstick humor with genuine pathos. His signature style combines expressive, cartoonish linework with a keen sense of comedic timing and pop-culture references. Over the years, he collaborated with other Italian creators on spin-offs and specials, including the *Morgan* series (part of the *La Sacra Ruota* cycle). Ortolani’s work has earned him several industry awards, including the prestigious Gran Guinigi and the Yellow Kid, solidifying his status as a leading voice in Italian comics. He remained active through the 2010s, producing new *Rat-Man* stories and collections, and his legacy endures as one of the most distinctive and beloved Italian comic authors of his generation.