Dylan Dog #13: Why is it so special?

There's one issue of Dylan Dog that has always intrigued the most discerning collectors: the legendary issue 13, "They Live Among Us," released in October 1987. A comic that, decades later, continues to be one of the most sought-after and highly prized early issues of the series. But why is issue 13 considered so special?

Legend has it that, around that time, Dylan Dog was not yet enjoying the overwhelming success it would achieve in the following years. After the first year of publication, the publishing house was evaluating sales trends, and according to many fans, this was precisely why issue #13 was printed in a smaller print run than usual , almost as if it were to be the last issue . A rumor that has been passed down over time and which, although never officially confirmed, has helped make that album a small object of desire for fans of the famous nightmare investigator.

What is certain is that, shortly after the release of issue 13, Dylan Dog began his true rise . The stories written by Tiziano Sclavi began to conquer an ever-widening audience, transforming the character into an icon of Italian comics . From a potential "last issue," the thirteenth issue has instead become the symbol of the rebirth and success of a series that has now surpassed thirty years of life and hundreds of publications .

Precisely for this reason, original copies of "They Live Among Us" are today considered rare and valuable , especially if in good condition. It is a piece that represents a crucial moment in Dylan Dog's publishing history : a period of uncertainty, a turning point and, ultimately, the beginning of a legend .

We may never know if the print run was actually limited or if it's just a myth passed down among collectors, but one thing is certain: the allure of issue 13 remains intact . A comic that not only tells a story, but also preserves a piece of Italian comics history .