Rubén Pellejero

Rubén Pellejero was born on December 20, 1952, in Badalona, Spain. He is best known as a comics artist, though his work also includes coloring, inking, and writing. Pellejero entered the industry in the early 1980s, contributing to Spanish magazines like *Cimoc* and *Cimoc Extra Color*. His breakthrough came with the series *Dieter Lumpen* (and its Dutch-language edition *De avonturen van Dieter Lumpen*), a stylish adventure strip co-created with writer Jorge Zentner. The duo’s clean, expressive linework and moody European storytelling earned them a devoted following. Pellejero’s most celebrated achievement is succeeding the legendary Hugo Pratt as the artist for *Corto Maltese*, taking over the iconic series in the 2010s with writer Juan Díaz Canales. His tenure on *Corto Maltese* brought a fresh yet respectful visual approach to the beloved character. Pellejero’s style is marked by precise ink work, atmospheric color, and a keen sense of composition, often blending noirish shadows with Mediterranean warmth. He has received multiple awards, including the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material for his *Corto Maltese* work. Later in his career, he continued to collaborate with Zentner and others, maintaining a steady presence in European comics. His legacy lies in bridging the classic adventure tradition with modern graphic storytelling, influencing a generation of Spanish and international artists.