In 1962, Italian sisters Angela and Luciana Giussani revolutionised popular Italian fiction by the creation of Diabolik, a comic book antihero, unlike anything readers had seen before. Published by their own company, Astorina, Diabolik introduced a masked criminal mastermind who thrived in the shadows, challenging both the law and traditional notions of morality.
It was Angela Giussani who first envisioned a compact, pocket-sized comic that commuters could easily carry and enjoy while travelling. Her sister Luciana soon joined the venture, and together they built one of Italy's most enduring publishing legacies. Astorina became the home of Diabolik, ensuring its survival and success through decades of cultural change.
At the centre of the saga is Diabolik himself: cold, calculating, and brilliant. A master of disguise, he built his legend through daring heists and meticulous planning. Always depicted wearing his black skintight suit and mask and driving a Jaguar E-type sports car, a symbol of stylish rebellion. His most persistent adversary is Inspector Ginko, the incorruptible detective whose moral integrity makes him the perfect foil. Their cat-and-mouse conflict has remained a defining element of the series.
In 1963, the story gained an essential new dimension with the introduction of Eva Kant. Initially conceived as a femme fatale adversary, Eva soon evolved into Diabolik's loyal partner-in-crime and his only true emotional anchor. Their partnership challenged stereotypes of women in comics, presenting Eva as intelligent, independent, and equal to her male counterpart.
MaltaPost, in collaboration with Astorina and Wicked Pop Culture Event, is issuing a special Diabolik miniature sheet consisting of one stamp created by Riccardo Nunziati, the current artist of the Diabolik comic series. The miniature sheet depicts scenes of Maltese locations and historical symbols - Fort Manoel viewed from the sea, the steeple of St Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral in Valletta, a splendid baroque doorway, typical traditional Maltese wooden balconies, and the eye symbol of Osiris placed on a dry-stone rubble wall. The image of the stamp, within the miniature sheet, shows a drawing of Diabolik and Eva Kant engaged in a passionate kiss.
Today, Diabolik remains a cultural icon. With thousands of issues, film and television adaptations, the series continues to embody the daring spirit of its creators. More than sixty years later, Diabolik and Eva Kant remain timeless symbols of intrigue, rebellion, and the allure of the forbidden.
