Corto Maltese 12: Mu, the Lost Continent

In this final entry of Hugo Pratt’s epic Corto Maltese series, the master graphic novelist returns to the theme he first explored in the initial episode—the search for the lost continent of Mu, the mythical Atlantis. A premonition hovers over the entire dreamlike story, as if fate had decided in advance that this would be Corto Maltese’s last adventure. The feeling is underscored by the return of most of the major characters seen throughout the long-running saga, like actors giving their final curtain call: Gold Mouth, Tristan Bantam, Levi Colombia, Professor Steiner, “the Monk,” Jesus-Maria, Soledad, and (of course) Rasputin…each with their own reason to find the mythical realm. Thus, the circle closes.