
The Scorpion (Le Scorpion)
Written by Stephen Desberg. Art by Enrico Marini.
A flamboyant rogue clashes with powerful church figures in eighteenth-century Rome.
Overview
The Scorpion follows a swashbuckling adventurer through plots involving cardinals, militant orders and secrets of religious power. Desberg and Marini launched the series in 2000. The hero survives by wit, movement and a willingness to defy authority.
Why It Matters
Its appeal comes from turning conspiracy into a physical adventure: clues lead to duels, chases and shifting alliances. The setting offers spectacle while keeping power at the heart of the conflict.
Genre & Themes
Historical swashbuckling, mystery and religious intrigue overlap. The series treats Rome as an arena of competing institutions and private ambitions.
Art & Visual Identity
Marini’s energetic bodies, rich color and theatrical staging give swordplay a strong visual rhythm. Costumes and architecture establish the period without slowing the action.
Read This If You Like
- Swashbucklers
- Religious conspiracies
- Eighteenth-century adventure