Domesticating American serial characters in European children’s comics magazines: the case of <i>Corriere dei Piccoli</i> in the 1910s

This article explores the profound impact of American newspaper comics on the development of Italian comics by examining their transformative influence on the Italian children’s magazine, Corriere dei Piccoli. Focusing on the creative endeavours of Italian artists Attilio Mussino and Antonio Rubino, who drew inspiration from iconic American comic characters, this article illuminates their artistic adaptations. In 1911, Mussino crafted Gigi & Gigetta, copying Johnny Gruelle’s Mr. Twee Deedle (1910–1918), while Rubino conceived the series Cirillo, imitating George McManus’s The Newlyweds series. This exploration not only scrutinises the localised iterations of The Newlyweds and Mr. Twee Deedle within Corriere dei Piccoli but also delves into the distinctive Italian avatars created by these artists. Employing Casey Brienza’s concept of domestication as a nuanced, multidirectional process, I contend that the Italian artists actively contributed as cultural producers, transcending a simple one-way importation of creative material. The repurposing and recreation of these American influences underscore the intricate nature of cultural exchange, emphasising the agency and significance of Italian artists in shaping a new media format for children: the children’s comics magazine.