Una ballata del mare salato

Hugo Pratt’s Una ballata del mare salato, first published by Mondadori in 1979, is the seminal, standalone graphic novel that introduced the world-weary adventurer Corto Maltese. Set against the backdrop of the South Seas during World War I, Pratt crafts a lyrical, morally complex tale of pirates, revolutionaries, and colonial intrigue. As the creator’s most celebrated work, it established his signature blend of precise, expressive linework and a deeply literate, romantic narrative voice. This single-issue series remains a cornerstone of European comics, revered for its atmospheric storytelling and its profound influence on the adventure genre.