Rainbow to Bring Corto Maltese to life
Rainbow, the independent Italian entertainment group led by Iginio Straffi, is set to bring legendary adventurer Corto Maltese to life on screen in a live action TV series based on the iconic graphic novels created by Hugo Pratt. Known for its global hit shows including the Winx Club animated saga, and for producing international live action hits, such as My Name is Vendetta. Rainbow’s partnership with CONG SA, the company which owns Pratt’s artistic legacy, marks the start of an exciting new chapter of adventures for the intrepid and timeless Corto Maltese saga.
A worldwide icon loved by teenagers and adults since the first story, A Ballad of the Salty Sea, was published in 1967, Corto Maltese is considered an undisputed masterpiece of adventure comics, recognised for elevating the graphic novel to exceptional artistic heights. Pratt went on to write 29 stories featuring the globetrotting sea captain, which have been translated and distributed in 35 countries, selling 11 million books worldwide, and inspiring TV animations, theatre shows and even an opera. In recent years the canon has been added to with seven new stories by writers inspired by Pratt, and Rainbow will continue to expand its legacy and give it new life to bring the adventures of the mysterious and romantic traveller, born from the imagination and experience of the great Italian cartoonist, to ever more people.
Iginio Straffi, Rainbow founder and CEO, said: “This project is a dream come true. I am a huge fan of Hugo Pratt and have always wanted to be able to work on Corto Maltese. I have been waiting patiently for the right time and the proper artistic resources to pay homage to one of the most important Italian authors in the world. Finally this day has arrived and I am very excited, it is really a great honour for me.”
Patrizia Zanotti, colourist who has been working artistically alongside Hugo Pratt since 1979 and is now head of Cong SA – Hugo Pratt Art Properties, also expressed great satisfaction with the agreement. “I am convinced that, thanks to the insights and passionate professionalism of Iginio Straffi, this new way of telling Corto Maltese will help expand the imagination of new generations by conveying the core values of the character created by Hugo Pratt: adventure, freedom, curiosity, friendship and respect for different cultures.”
In addition to producing the new live-action TV series, which is currently in development, Rainbow also manage the licensing rights of Corto Maltese worldwide.
