Guido Nolitta

Sergio Bonelli (Milan, December 2, 1932 – Monza, September 26, 2011) was an Italian comics creator and publisher, widely known under the writing pseudonym Guido Nolitta. Son of Gian Luigi Bonelli—creator of Tex—and Tea Bonelli, he grew up immersed in the family’s publishing house (originally Edizioni Audace). After early roles as an errand boy and warehouse clerk, he assumed full leadership of the company in 1957, transforming it over time into Sergio Bonelli Editore, one of Italy’s most important comics publishers.

Bonelli debuted as a comics writer in 1954 under the pen name Annalisa Macchi, and in 1958, under Guido Nolitta, he launched the western series Un ragazzo nel Far West. His first major success came in 1961 with the creation of Zagor, a genre-blending hero mixing western and fantastic elements. In 1975, he introduced what he considered his “favorite son,” Mister No, an ex-U.S. soldier residing in 1950s Manaus. He also wrote several Tex stories, notably “Caccia all’uomo” (1976), thus becoming the first author to replace his father on the legendary Ranger.

While his editorial duties grew, Bonelli continued to influence Italian comics, advocating for creator-driven series and crediting writers and artists by name (uncommon practice at the time). Under his stewardship, Sergio Bonelli Editore became a powerhouse, known for innovative titles such as Ken Parker and Dylan Dog. Bonelli’s editorial vision championed creative freedom and stylistic variety, shaping generations of Italian comics. Awarded an honorary degree by the University of Rome “La Sapienza” (2007) and an Ambrogino d’Oro by the City of Milan (2008), Sergio Bonelli passed away in 2011. He is buried in the Cimitero Monumentale of Milan.