Cantarella Vol. 2

I continue to love the Cantarella story (probably partially because it's Euro-centric and I understand all the references). Higuri is a talented artist and storyteller.

In this 2nd volume, we see Cesare finally merge with the demons surrounding him in order to save his life from a failed suicide after the discovery; that he is the sacrifice for his father's bid on the papal crown. Michelotto makes a pact with him also that he will stand by him and kill him if he becomes out of control. Fast forward to the time of Rodrigo's election to become Pope Alexander and we see a grown up Cesare start spinning his web of power; starting with controlling his father Pope Alexander. In this volume we also see the beginnings of incestual attraction between Lucrezia and Cesare. Higuri's version of the costumes of Renaissance Italy is lush and sumptuous. The discovery that Cantarella is Cesare's demonic blood is both tantalizing and holds much promise of how he will control and kill people as he continually pursues the goal of controlling Italy. I love Higuri's illustrations of Cesare and Michelotto, both evoking feelings of beauty and danger, definitely showing that both have a really dark and deceptive side.

In Cantarella 2 we go deeper into the dark world of the Italian Renaissance and Cesare Borgia as retold in manga fashion. The background scenes are remarkably authentic, the costumes luscious and the story gets more decadent. If you're an adult and interested in an equally noir tale of the Borgias, may I recommend Mario Puzo's The Family, especially the reading by Phillip Bosco? An escape from the corruption of our own time into that of another era....

Intresting and provoking read. the illustrations are really pretty and very detailed. The story is pretty intresting too, and has enough "twisted" to make for an enjoyable sitting.