Luigi Corteggi

Luigi Corteggi, who also signed his work as Cortez, was born on 21 June 1933 in Milan and died on 26 July 2018 in Casorzo. He is widely regarded as the most influential art director in Italian comics, a reputation built on his graphic work for Editoriale Corno and Sergio Bonelli Editore. Corteggi’s career began in the 1960s, and he quickly became known for his striking cover designs and character concepts. He co-created the visual identity of the crime comic *Kriminal* and later shaped the look of the horror series *Dylan Dog*, two of the most enduring titles in Italian pop culture. His style blended bold, dynamic compositions with a painterly sensibility, often using dramatic shadows and vivid colors. Over a decade of active work from 1965 to 1975, he contributed to numerous series as an artist, colorist, inker, letterer, and writer, with his most credited titles including *Gesebel*, *Alan Ford*, *Satanik*, and *Dennis Cobb, Agente SS018*. Corteggi also worked on the anthology *Eureka Pocket*. Beyond comics, he was a painter, director, and illustrator, leaving a legacy that influenced generations of European comic artists.