In the 1970s and 1980s, English cartoonist Hunt Emerson was closely involved with the British underground comics scene - self-published satirical, socially relevant comic books. His comic strips and graphic novels are well known worldwide and have been translated into numerous languages. Hunt's graphic adaptation of Inferno introduces Dante to today's audience in a fun, hip way. Notice how he gives Dante top billing.
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Emerson pokes fun at the age of thirty-five when many of us reflect on our lives and feel angst. Here, Dante's conjecture that he must have been "asleep or something" is allegorical to the dawning of a need for self awareness, a point many commonly arrive at in mid life.
The symbolic portrayals of the animals are hilarious: boldly defined spots on the ferocious looking leopard reinforce the adage "a leopard doesn't change his spots;" the upright, club wielding lion personifies a dangerous malefactor or Dante's fear of being injured; the snarling, pissing she-wolf signifies Dante's apprehension of being taken advantage of. Although comically presented, the illustrations are poignant and clearly convey the poet's turmoil. Perhaps the declaration, "living in a world of symbolism is hard work" alludes to Dante feeling stymied in his work.
Emerson's interpretation of Virgil makes a departure from Dante's version. Here Virgil
resembles a pontificating drunk whose encounter with Dante is more fluke (Dante trips over him) than deliberate as put forth in Inferno. His description of Beatrice also deviates from the reverend one of the original as Virgil assumes a posture bordering on lechery.
Dante becomes momentarily distracted and joins Virgil in his reverie of the attributes of Beatrice's anatomy...truly a "guy" moment. The exchange between the poets concerning "going through Hell to get to her" alludes to the complexity of relationships between men and women. One wonders if Dante will make it out of Hell with this Virgil as his guide.
This whimsical drawing of the gates of Hell brims with parody. A gigantic "evil eye" atop the burning wall keeps an eternal eye out for new inductees; the skull and bones sarcastically bids sinners to "have a nice day"; the sign "done sinning'' parodies "gone swimming"; a welcome mat under an overflowing mailbox absurdly announces that entrants should "wipe their feet," while buzzards greedily eye Dante from dead tree stumps. Once inside, Virgil informs Dante that the moans and wails he hears are from the people who "couldn't be bothered," usually referred to as the bitching and moaners.
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