Tex or Zagor, which came first? The surprising truth!
When it comes to Italian comics, Tex Willer and Zagor are names that stand out as true legends. But have you ever wondered who came first between the two? The answer might surprise you!
Tex Willer, the famous ranger, was the first to appear on the pages of comics. Created in 1948 by Gian Luigi Bonelli (father of Sergio Bonelli) and drawn by Aurelio Galleppini, better known as Galep, Tex made his debut in issue 1 of Tex published by Casa Editrice Audace, which would later become Sergio Bonelli Editore. Tex's adventures take us into a world of justice and smoking guns in the Wild West, a genre that has marked the imagination of entire generations.
But then, almost twenty years later, in 1961 , Sergio Bonelli, under the pseudonym of Guido Nolitta, decided to create something different, a hero who combined adventure, mystery and a pinch of fantasy. Thus was born Zagor , the "Spirit with the Hatchet", the defender of the Darkwood forest. Drawn by Gallieno Ferri, Zagor moves in a world richer in folklore and supernatural creatures, clearly distinguishing himself from the pure western style of Tex.
The era of Tex Willer:
Tex, the most famous ranger in Italian comics, lives between the end of 1800 and the beginning of 1900. His adventures are set in the classic Far West, a world of dust, deserts, Indians and outlaws. Tex rides between expanding frontiers, in the midst of the development of the railroad and the revolts of the American natives. This period, which we can place between 1880 and the early years of the 20th century, faithfully reflects the charm of the classic western.
The era of Zagor:
Now, let's get to Zagor, the hero of Darkwood. Although he was born after Tex in the editorial reality, the character of Zagor lives decades before the ranger. His stories take place around the 20s-40s of the 19th century, about 100 years before the events of Tex. In fact, one of the most cited historical events in his adventures is the Second Seminole Wars , a conflict that really happened between 1835 and 1842. Zagor therefore finds himself in an era of pioneers, explorations and battles with Native American tribes long before the industrial era that characterizes the world of Tex.
But there is a mystery...
Yet, as often happens in comics, the timelines are not always very clear. In some Zagor stories, weapons and military uniforms appear that seem more modern than the era they are supposed to represent. And, just like Tex, his adventures are not always bound by a rigid historical fidelity. Sergio Bonelli, creator of Zagor, has intentionally left the character's era a bit vague, allowing a certain degree of "elasticity" for his adventures.
Tex was born before Zagor in the real world, but Zagor lives before Tex in their narrative universe. This play on eras adds an extra layer of charm to the two characters.
