Massimo Mattioli

Massimo Mattioli was an Italian cartoonist and artist, born on 25 September 1943. He is best remembered for his versatile career, which spanned both lighthearted children's comics and more adult-themed series. Mattioli entered the comics field in the 1960s, contributing to publications like *Il Giornalino* and the French weekly *Pif Gadget*. His signature style blended clean, expressive linework with a playful sense of absurdity, whether in his humorous work for younger readers or his more subversive, satirical stories. He is perhaps most noted for creating *Squeak the Mouse*, a violent, black-comedy parody of Tom and Jerry, and the western parody *Pox*. Both series showcased his talent for pushing boundaries while maintaining a distinct visual charm. Mattioli collaborated frequently with the Italian magazine *Frigidaire*, contributing to its *Supplementi* series. His work appeared in over a dozen issues across several decades, from the early 1970s into the 2020s. He died on 23 August 2019. While he did not receive major mainstream awards, his influence is felt in the worlds of both children's and adult comics, where his fearless genre play and distinctive drawing style continue to be admired by fans and fellow cartoonists.