By Stefano Prodiguerra and Alessio Danesi

In the enchanting setting of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, the exhibition has been conceived as a journey divided into three sections: the Silver Age, the Golden Age and the Dark Age. Welcome to Chaykinland, the (dis)enchanted realm of the Dark Prince of Comics! The Silver Age section retraces, not only temporally but also conceptually, Chaykin's early works, from his beginnings with Cody Starbuck and Dominic Fortune, up to Empire, written by Samuel R. Delany. The Golden Age introduces us to the superhero universe according to Chaykin (Batman, Wolverine, Nike Fury), the masterpiece Blackhawk and the fascinating Shadow. Afterwards, we dive into his most iconic works of the 1980s: American Flagg! and Time. In the Dark Age section, timeless masterpieces that raise the bar of world comics will be celebrated: Black Kiss and The Divided States of Hysteria. Concluding this itinerary is a project that Chaykin cares deeply about: his 'oral history' of American comics, entitled Hey Kids! Comics!. A merciless analysis of the world of comics and those who are its protagonists, enriched by the style and (sometimes bitter) sarcasm that characterise Chaykin's narrative.

The exhibition is realised in collaboration with saldaPress and tavoleoriginali.net. The author will be a guest of Lucca Comics & Games 2023, in collaboration with saldaPress.

Venue: Palazzo delle Esposizioni - Lucca