Ken Parker in Brazil
by Julio Schneider and Marco Gremignai
translation by Derrick De Candia

1978
Ken Parker's first Brazilian issue had been published in the month of November by the Editora Vecchi. Back than, it was a particularly good period for Bonelli comics issued in Brazil. Vecchi had already been publishing Tex and in the last few months, Zagor. The "hot seller" was without any doubt Tex, so much so, that on Zagor's and Ken's covers the message "Tex presents" would appear.

The first Brazilian cover of Ken

The Brazilian format of Ken was slightly reduced in respect to the original Italian measurements of: cm 13.5 by 17.5.
The first issue was entitled "Viganca!" ("Vengeance!"), referring to the issue's story - and probably to the Brazilian title of the film "Jeremiah Johnson" (in Brazil, the title of this film was "More Powerful Than Vengeance"); and as all true fans know, the star of that movie was a bearded Robert Redford, who resembles :-) our Ken...

Ken-Robert Redford in "Jeremiah Johnson"

1983
Vecchi's bankruptcy interrupts all publications of Bonelli's comics. The last comic book of Ken Parker was n. 53, out in the month of August.

1990
In January and February the Editora Best News publishes n. 54 and n. 55, but then no more. A pity to this day, because the Brazilian readers still remain without the last 4 issues of the series :-(

1994
The Editora Ensaio publishes a special book of a larger format (20 by 27 cm) that contains two stories: "Os Cervos" ("Puppies") in color and "Un Halito de Gelo" ("A Breath of Ice"), in black and white. Unfortunately this was to be a onetime thing, and again fans of Ken would be waiting another 5 years for new publications.

1999
Finally, two years ago the turning point. Wagner Augusto, a journalist, editor and founder of the CLUQ publishing house, decides to make use of all publication rights of Ken Parker in his possession.

The presentation of uBC (click here to view the translation)

In September, is then published another special book of a larger format that's divided into 2 volumes, with the adventure "Onde Morren os Titãs" ("Where Titans Die"). The translation was appointed to Julio Schneider, Brazilian correspondent of uBC: that could be why on the inner cover of the book there's a special logo of the homepage Ken [email protected] and a presentation of our site :-)
The comic book issue arose great enthusiasm in the Brazilian fans. One fan in particular was Laerte (one of the most notable and prize-winning Brazilian artists) who abandons himself into an enthusiastic review, entitled "Ken Parker is an obligatory reading". He explains:

During the 70's, every time that a new issue of Ken Parker was about to come out, I would go through stages of hot flashes ("or p.m.s tensions"), turning about in the newsstand I would suffer of hot and cold sweats […]
Ken Parker is the best comic book that I have ever read in my life […] The characters of Ken Parker grow old, change addresses and die. They are able to find themselves and move on, just like in real life. Many of the stories have made me cry.
After a long period of abstinence, Ken Parker is back in Brazil […] This edition is great, its printing is right on time […] The stories are published in grand format into two episodes, released in a limited edition of 1,000 issues. Admirers of Berardi and Milazzo, I urge you to run to the stands. A thousand issues are just a few - God, let them print more copies, let them start reprinting the sold out stories, let Ken Parker become a subject of studies in the schools!!

2000
Enthusiasm such as that could not have been left out, it needed to be heard :-)
Thus, Wagner Augusto decided to continue the adventure with a new special issue, as always translated by Julio Schneider: this time its "Um principe para Norma" ("A Prince for Norma"). Out by the end May, the issue was once again in grand format (21 by 28 cm).

A strip from the new book!

The introduction is signed by Sergio Bonelli himself, who enlightens about the editorial adventures of Ken Parker in Italy, its large aspect of innovation regarding previous western comics, the skill of its authors… and unfortunately, the difficultness of guaranteeing a regular release that of which will bring about the series suspension.

next page: comments about "Norma"; "Ken Parker Collection"; "Ken Parker Reprint"