What is the best thing that I love about my work?

One of my greatest passion, comics, became actually my job… that’s the thing I love about it. Very few lucky people can say “do what you like and you’ll never work a day in your life” or something like that… I am one of those.

What is my idea of perfect happiness?

There’s no such thing like a “perfect happiness”, either there is not one happiness… there are different type of happinesses.

Profesionally I set a bar for myself, some goals. I constantly trying to exceed that bar and achieve those goal to find “professional happiness”; personally my happiness is being able to provide for myself.

What is my greatest fear?

Not able to provide for myself…

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

Lazyness… I would definitely love to do more sports but I am extremely lazy! : )

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

I do not really have a model in my line of work basically because comics journalism is not a “real thing” in Italy. So I tried to pick up from different sources, different professional figures to built a ethical and professional model reliable for my day-to-day operations.

What is my greatest extravagance?

Well… I think the most extravant thing I did in my life was my Master Degree’s Thesis: “Philosophy of a pop superhero: Superman”. As you noticed was based on Superman!

On what occasion would I lie?

Sometimes you have to lie… there are white lies to yourself mostly needed to improve yourself and trying not to give up. True lies… well let’s say sometimes you have to bring your pokerface to do a better job. In my relationships I am very honest, sometimes too honest…

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

As mentioned above… sometimes I have to wear a pokerface… I really don’t like that. I try to be always as honest as I can but people sometimes take advantage of that.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

Everytime someone spend 5 minutes to thank me for the job we do daily on MangaForever, everytime someone want to talk seriously about comics and pop culture as a “real thing” and not as something trivial.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I definitely should be more confident… and more bold sometimes.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

Well… I’m also working as an editor for DC Comics’ italian publisher, I am working with my favourite characters which is a great achievement.

Also beign recognized as a reliable professional figure is a great achievement everytime it happens.

What do the words ‘The Financial Freedom to Create’ mean to me?

A constant tension, a struggle… to be better, to work harder.

Where would I most like to live?

I like my hometown… I lived one year in Lisbon than I came back. I will trade my hometown maybe only for Coast City or Metropolis… : )

What is my most treasured possession?

I got a lot of “things”… everything is precious: my books, my music, my comics. They are worlds in which I lived in different times of my life.

What is my most marked characteristic?

I am selfless person as every proper southern man. And of that I will always be proud.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

My hometown is a seaside town so definitely the sea…

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?

Well if you find yourself around here – in Bari, Puglia – visit Factory Pub for good draft beers and some burgers.

What books influenced my life and how?

When I was a kid I was fascinated by Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne and after them as a teenager by E.A. Poe and H.P. Lovercraft but the book I read the most is The Lord of the Rings. All this great books and authors built what I like, what I love and fuel my passions.

As a young man I discovered 1984, Brave New World and Farheneit 451 and this three books changed my vision of the world.

Who are my favorite writers?

Michel Foucault, Geoff Johns, F. W. Nietzsche, George Orwell, J.R.R. Tolkien.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Johnny Cash maybe…

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Definitely Superman…

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

I am my greatest hero. I decided to make my passion my everyday living… it was bold, it was risky… But I am still here, alive and unbroken even if sometimes I bend close enough to break.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

This one is a tricky one… The Dark Knight by Christopher Nolan to understand the world post-9/11.

What role plays art in my life and work?

Art, some specific forms of art like comics, videogames, movies, is my work. As a semiprofessional musician art, music, was a safety valve… a very precious safety valve.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My friends who are always supportive ad understand my job. My girlfriend Alessandra who respect this job, a very unusual job, and tries to understand this crazy thing that is pop culture.

Whom would I like to work with in 2019?

I have a pretty solid team right now and I’m happy with it. Of course there are a couple of colleagues that I follow regularly and I really enojy reading their stuff. I hope that someday I’ll have the chance to work with them.

Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2019?

Well… maybe Tom King for an interview.

What project, in 2019, am I looking forward to work on?

Keep all my projects growing from MangaForever to Grafite… become a full time editor but most important keep myself growing profesionally and personally.

Where can you see me or my work?

Find me on my personal facebook page – search Domenico Bottalico – or visit http://www.mangaforever.net

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

It means that you are your passion. That your passion defines you in every aspect of your life, everyday and in everything you do.

Which creative heroes should Peter invite to tell their story?

Every story is worth to be heard so I have no preferences…

How can you contact me?

Contact me at domenico@mangaforever.net