Oltretomba #25

Oltretomba was a prominent Italian horror comic series published by Edizioni ErreGì starting in the early 1970s. This series, along with others like Terror and Vampirissimo, emerged during a peak in the popularity of 'fumetti neri' or adult-oriented horror comics, which were designed to push boundaries with graphic violence and provocative imagery. The series typically featured an anthology format, revolving around a supernatural narrator who introduced grim, morality-driven tales to the reader, fitting perfectly into the countercultural appetite for transgressive storytelling at the time.

The visual identity of Oltretomba was defined by a raw, stark aesthetic typical of the low-budget pulp publications of the era. These issues were often produced by anonymous or pseudonymous artists working under tight deadlines, focusing on moody, high-contrast black-and-white ink work that prioritized visceral impact over technical refinement. While the series was often targeted by moralists for its content, it remains a significant touchstone for scholars of 20th-century Italian pulp culture, representing the democratization of horror media during an era of significant social change.