Italian Illustrator: Fabio Celoni

I was a solitary young teenager when the Italian Disney comic publication "Topolino" came out with a story that totally blew me away. It was called "Torna a casa Paperino", we are in 1994 and on the 25th of January (2 days after  my birthday) Alice in chains released the beautiful "Jar of Flies".

What really struck me was how the illustrations were simply amazing and although the publication is mainly aimed at a kid audience, the story was almost  an oniric-like experience.

There's an undeniable dark element to these drawings which in the harmless Disney universe was unheard-of.
The name of the artist: Fabio Celoni

 "Torna a casa Paperino"

He has clearly a different style approach than your typical Disney illustrator and although the combination between these two opposite worlds might seem hazardous to say the least it turned up to be a winning bet.
Fabio Celon is now one of the most appreciated illustrator in Italy and his work published by several different publications.

The only thing missing in his career is probably international recognition, which is why I am introducing him to you. Only to give you a point of reference, the closest comparison that comes in my mind would be Tim Burton, but only for their vision, not the style....and Tim Burton himself worked at Disney's for a while .

 ....and as a cherry in the pie, the beautiful illustration (homage to an old story called Topolino's Hell) to celebrate the n.3000 of Topolino.

All the images are published with the author's consent. All rights reserved.