Transcultural, Transmedial Reinvention: Shuihu zhuan 水滸傳from Chinese Classic to Italian Comic Art

The present essay tackles the transcultural and transmedial journey of the Shuihu zhuan水滸傳 (Water Margin), from China to Italy and from novel to comics. The first part provides an account of Chinese Vernacular fiction and, specifically, of the Shuihu zhuan in Italy. The second part addresses I Briganti (Outlaws), authored by one of the most influential Italian comic artists, Magnus (1939-1996). The comparison of Magnus' work to the Italian translation and the original Chinese text is carried out on a narrative and representational level. It reveals Magnus' outstanding contribution to the visual reinvention of a Chinese classic.