Late Lantalainen

Finnish comics don't always get their due on the international collector's radar, but Late Lantalainen is a genuine reason to dig into the Egmont Kustannus catalog. Debuting in Myrkky #5 in 1991 and running through the mid-nineties, this Copper/Modern Age character carved out a niche in the irreverent pages of Myrkky and Myrkky spesiaali — publications with a distinctly sharp, satirical edge. With 17 catalog appearances and three recognized key issues, Late Lantalainen is a compact but collector-significant presence, sharing those memorable pages with an eclectic cast including Palle Runqvist, Pera Pervo, and Rhesus Miinus. If you have a taste for Finnish comics history and the offbeat humor that defined Myrkky's era, Late Lantalainen is well worth tracking down.