Gli Scorpioni del Deserto

Hugo Pratt’s Gli Scorpioni del Deserto is a taut, four-issue war saga published by Milano Libri Edizioni from 1975 to 1983, set against the North African campaigns of World War II. Written by Pratt and illustrated primarily by Guido Fuga alongside Pratt himself, the series follows a band of Italian soldiers of the "Compagnia Autonoma" as they navigate the shifting moral terrain of desert combat. Rather than celebrating heroics, Pratt and Fuga focus on the camaraderie, weariness, and quiet disillusionment of men caught in a conflict far from home. This work stands as a lean, atmospheric counterpoint to Pratt’s more famous adventure epics, showcasing his mastery of historical authenticity and human vulnerability.