Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Book II The Power and The Incest
S í / / .
S * ..w , | | ^ < í , i / '̂ ' ^ i / ^
Book II : The Power and The Incest
ETERNAL GLORY TO YOUR
HOLINESS!
X PEACE BE ON X W YOU, FAITHFUL DUARTE. \/ I SENT YOU TO MAKE SOME \
INQUIRIES IN THE STREETS. WHAT NEWS DO YOU BRING ME? \ HOW DO THE PEOPLE REACT? , \ ARE THEY HAPPY TO HAVE / \ A NEW POPE? ~
I MUST TELL YOU SOMETHING YOU DO NOT KNOW,
RODRIGO. TO THEM, THE DEATH OF INNOCENT VII, SIGNIFIED THE
END OF THE POWER OF THE CHURCH... A
VUL6US PECUS!
THE FLOCK OF FOOLS!
CERTAIN THAT NO SIN WILL BE PUNISHED, SINCE
GOD HAS FORGOTTEN ROME, THEY PERMIT EVERYTHING...
Mm
TAKE THAT, YOU
FAT PIG! AGIVE
US YOUR PURSE!
THE PRIES TS NO LONGER HA VE ANY
AUTHORITY...
r MERCY?! HAVE SHOWN ANY MERCY, YOU DAMNED
PRIEST!
OW! MERCY... I
THIEF/
HA! YES, TOAD, SOME
THIEVES ARE BETTER AT STEALING THAN
YOU ARE!
THE HONES T PEOPLE CAN NOT EVEN LIVE
IN PEACE...
OPEN YOUR MOUTH, YOU OLD MISER!
Y OPEN YOUR
MOUTH,OR / OPEN YOUR
v THROAT/
BEUAAARKK i fSHE
SWALLOWED HER PEARL
> NECKLACE!
W H A T A N DISGUSTING
BITCH!
RODRIGO, ALEXANDER VI... YOU CANT SAIL PAST THIS CONFRONT THE PROBLEM...
COME TO THE WINDOW...
THE HOi Y VA T/CAN PLAZA IS OVERRUN WITH PROCURERS AND THEIR WHORES. THEY DRINK AND FORNICA TE THERE EVERY HOUR
OF THE DAY AND THE NIGHT.
HOW DISGUSTING! THEY ARE HERD OF ANIMALS! I UNDERSTAND... MY FIRST TASK IS TO RESTORE ORDER TO THE STREETS OF ROME. I AM GOING TO
SHOW THEM THE EXTREME SEVERITYOF MY JUSTICE!
A1 \ ^J J
i, «*»■
( AH, WELL... GUISEPPE \ BERTOLI, THE j PLASTERER. HE IS /CONSIDERED A SAINT,
/ BECAUSE HE AND HIS FAMILY MAKE STATUES k OF CHRIST AND THE - V HOLY VIRGIN...
TELL ME,IS THERE A
CITIZEN THAT THIS IMMODEST RABBLE STILL
RESPECTS?ME AND MY DAGGER ARE HERE TO SERVE
YOU, MASTER.
ALRIGHTPAPA.
YES, PAPA!
youARE RIGHT
GUISEPPE.
PIERO, THE SKIN OF OUR LORD IS MORE CLEAR, ADD SOME WHITE TO YOUR COLOR!
LUIGI, ADD SOME VARNISH TO THE BLOOD SO IT SHINES, THE FAITHFUL LIKE IT WHEN THE
WOUNDS ARE HORRIBLE! ANNA, MY DEAR, ADD SOME DETAIL TO MARY’S BUST,
MEN LIKE TO BE EXCITED BY OUR HOLY MOTHER!
í 1 1 1f\ 1Al i/N
WmaOfi1íTXa í iO
' ( jV J I / I ^ Z a
( j II |
A A A O O O U llFF!MY EYES ARE STINGING MY EYELIDS FEEL LIKE
THEY'RE MADE OF LEAD!
MAMA, PAPA GO TO BED. MY
BROTHER AND I WILL FINISH PAINTING
THE CHRISTS.
MIDNIGHT, ALREADY?!AND WE HAVEN’T FINISHED! THE MONKS WILL BE HERE AT DAWN LOOKING FOR THIS URGENT
ORDER...
YES, YOU GO TO BED.
I WILL CLOSE THE DOOR TO THE WORK
SHOP.
W HAT TOOK YOU SO LONG
DID YOU SEE A GIRL?
QUIET!ARRGH.f
LUIGI? WHY DID YOU YELL? DON'T
TELL ME YOU DAMAGED ANOTHER STATUE
A THIEF!HELP!
AAAH!DONT KILL
US!
SACRILEGE!MYGOD!
HORROR/
IT 'S A SA TAN/C CRIMEf THE CHURCH MUST
DO SOMETHING v ABOUT THIS! ,
AND FOR PURE CRUELTY.. NOTHING WAS
STOLEN!
GET UP MAURO,
HIS HOLINESS WANTS TO
SEE YOU...
HUH?WHAT?
COME ALONG QUICKLY NOW! WE
CAN NOT MAKE ALEXANDER VI
WAIT!
_____— . r rT . ;
’
*■ tv" t ,j
^ W — ’ •iA
I'M AFRAID, NOBLE LORD! WHY WOULD THE ALL
POWERFUL POPE WANT TO SEE A MISERABLE DOS- KEEPER LIKE ME IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE NI6HT?
/ I DID NOT CALL YOU HERE TO \ BE PUNISHED, ON THE CONTRARY, YOU DESERVE THIS INDULGENCE WHICH I'M OFFERING TO YOU. IT
GUARANTEES, NO MATTER WHAT LYOU DO IN THE FUTURE, YOUR / i p ENTRANCE INTO
PARADISE!
I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THE DOGS.
I SLEEP WITH THEM, I WASH THEM, I GROOM THEM, I CLEAN
UP THEIR SHIT... WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG, SUPREME
FATHER?
ALSO, YOU WILL RECEIVE THIS PURSE, IF YOU DO ME
ONE LAST SERVICE...
/ OOOOHi THANK YOU! THANK
YOU! ASK WHAT YOU WANT OF ME, HOLY
FATHER!
DECLARE YOURSELF GUILTY OF THE MURDERS OF GUISEPPI BERTOLI AND HIS FAMILY! I HAVE PROMISED THE PEOPLE TO THROW YOU IN JAIL, FROM WHICH YOU WILL ESCAPE.
WITH THIS GOLD, YOU CAN MOVE TO ANOTHER CITY AND NEVER
HAVE TO WORK FOR THE
NOT REALLY.IN ANY CASE, I
SWEAR TO YOU ON THE WOUNDS OF OUR
LORD... YOU WILL REPEAT EXACTLY WHAT I’M
GOING TO TELL
JUSTICE! NJUS TICE! HOL Y FA THER,
DELIVER THE DEVIL TO US! THE CHURCH HAS THE
POWER TO PUNISH THIS SACRILEGE! ^
I'VE ALREADY ADVISED HIS HOLINESS OF YOUR VISIT... IN HIS EXTREME CHARITY, AND
DESPITE BEING OFFENDED BY THE INDIFFERENCE OF ROME, v HE HAS AGREED TO A V HELP YOU....
WE REPRESENT ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF ROME. WE HAVE
COME TO IMPLORE THE POPE TO SMITE THE GODLESS WHO HAVE
MASSACRED THE BERTOLI FAMILY... THE DEMON IS
LOOSE IN OUR
I REJOICE, FAITHFUL SUBJETS, TO SEE THAT
YOU FINALLY REALIZE THE EXISTS, AND THAT
NEED THE POWER OF
WE ARE AT YOUR FEET MOST HOLY FATHER. OUR VENERATED CHURCH MUST PROTECT US
FROM EVIL...
OHH! I/i GOD IS 5 TRONGER
THAN SA TAN!MIRACLE!
GUIDED BY THE HAND OF GOD,WE HAVE ALREADY DISCOVERED AND CAPTURED THE SINISTER MURDERER!
GUARDS, BRING IN THEASSASSIN! I
IT ’S TRUE! I AM NOTHING BUT A
MISERABLE ASSASSINI .
INNOCENT BLOOD FALLS ON YOUR HEAD
MISERABLE ASSASSIN! ^
REPUGNANT/ VADE A M M A U J SARf ™ °s i
HOW HORRIBLE!
YES!DAMNED CHRISTIANS!/ KILLED THE BER TOL/Sf MY
MASTER SA TAN COMMANDED ME TO DO IT ! / REGRET r
'w , NOTHING! >
BY THE POWER CONFERRED IN US BY THE HOLY CHURCH,
REPEAT YOUR CONFESSION, YOU " W fc ' MONSTEROUS /Z m d L lS
CREATURE! A V
BEWARE!HIS SALIVA IS
POISONOUS! GUARDS, \ TAKE HIM AW AY!
KNOW WELL, HOLY FATHER...
THE FAITH... AND PEACE HAVE RETURNED!
TOMORROW, IN THE COLOSSEUM, BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF ROME, THIS DEVIL WORSHIPPER WILL RECEIVE THE PUNISHMENT WHICH HE DESERVES.
WHY HAVE YOU CHAINED ME? WHY ARE YOU BEATING ME? IT'S
A MISTAKE! I DEMAND TO SEE THE HOLY FATHER!
SILENCE; YOU SACRELEGIOUS
MONS TER!
WHAT DID YOU TELL ME, YOUR HOLINESS? YOU KNOW VERY WELL THAT I'M INNOCENT! IT WAS YOU
WHO ASKED ME TO ADMIT TO THIS CRIME WHICH I DID NOT DO! YOU
\ SWORE BEFORE GOD TO LET ME ^ E S C A P E ! DO YOU HAVE
I V MY GOLD? ^ . os
I AM HERE, POOR WAYWARD CREATURE.
DO YOU WANT ME TO GIVE YOU THE LAST RIGHTS?
CUT THE L Y/N6 TONGUE OUT OF THIS ASSASSIN!
I, ALEXANDER VI, SUPREME HEAD OF THE
CHURCH, I AM YOUR BEST FRIEND, BUT I CAN ALSO BE
AN IMPLACABLE ENEMY... QUt BENE AMA T, BENE
CAS TIG AT... A d
v YOU ARE NOW GOING TO v ASSIST WITH THE CHASTISEMENT OF THE WORST OF THE GUILTY!
A CRIMINAL WHO HAS SOLD , U SOUL TO THE DEVIL. BRING A
V THE WRETCH IN! N
.FASTEN p/SM EMBER HIM WELL! / uiaai
INFECTEDDEMON!
6 6 6 6 6 6 „ HHHH!
GGGGGGHHHH!
BRA VO!BRA VO! RELEASE
THED06S!
6R R R 0W W ...6R R R R 0W W !
GRRR! G RRRRGRRR
GNIAARFF
DON'T YOU FAINT, YOU BABY! DURA LEX, SED LEX!
GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOW S HOW
TO PUNISH!
BRRRRHH6 6 !
THIS ENORMOUS BULL IS THE REPUGNANT EVIL! MY BELOVED SON
CESAR, REPRESENTS OUR CHURCH, THE ABSOLUTE GOOD! WITH THE HELP OF GOD, HE WILL
K VANQUISH IT! 1
BORG/AU
má
CESAR! CESAR!CESAR! X CESAR!
D f CESAR! CESAR!CESAR! BORGIA! ^BORGIA!
BORGIA!BORGIA!
j ~%/2
//
m ,
‘ ' ■
BORGIA!BORGIA!BORGIA!
AD7 MAJOREM DEI 6 LOR/AM! WE HAVE VANQUISHED EVIL! WE CHASTISE MERCILESSLY
THIEVES AND ASSASSINS! ORDER REIGNS IN THE
. STREETS AND HOMES A V OF ROME! Y &
LONG LIFE TO OUR HOLY FATHER, THE ^ POPE! ^
MY FATHER HAS ASKED FOR ME!I AM FINISHED WITH
THIS PRISON! YOU CAN ENJOY FREEDOM
CONVENT OF SA/NT-S/XTE
I HOPE THE CRUEL BEING, WHOM WE CALL GOD, GIVES
YOU LONG LIVES!
v FINISHED v WITH JAIL, LIMITS
AND THE REPUGNANT GOOD SISTERS! TO ROME
EACH DAY WILL BE A PARTY!
BEFORE SPEAKING OF MY INTELLIGENCE, LET
US PREOCCUPY OURSELVES WITH YOUR BEAUTY. TO
HONOR YOU, I HAVE BROUGHT FOUR
THE FIRST GIFT: PENTASILEA, BLACK AS
NIGHT AND AS CALM AS A DEEP RIVER
THAT FLOWS NOISELESSLY. THIS SLAVE WILL APPLY
YOUR MAKE-UP, YOUR PERFUME, COMB YOUR
HAIR AND DRESS YOU LIKE A
HMMM... I HOPE THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO USE
YOUR TONGUE BETTER THAN A DOG DOES!
THE SECOND GIFT: CATARINELLA, SMALL, BUT CONCENTRATED LIKE A PERFUME. SHE IS A LITTLE LACKING IN SIZE, BUT IS GIGANTIC IN HER TALENT.
v WITH HER MUSIC, SHE WILL SWEETEN \ EVERY MOMENT OF /
\ YOUR LIFE... i
AAAHL.I AM GOING TO DIE IF I DON’T TRY IT
ON RIGHT NOW!
THE THIRD GIFT:A RESPLENDANT DRESS
FOR A LUMINOUS \ YOUNG WOMAN... y
ADORN ME IN THIS MARVEL, PENTASILEA! YOU,
CATARINELA, PLAY ME THE GAYEST TUNE
THAT YOU KNOW!
THE PLEASURE OF BEING DRESSED BY A
WOMAN DOES NOT SURPASS THE PLEASURE
OF BEING UNDRESSEDV BY A MAN... -
AND NOW, MISS, THE FOURTH GIFT
A UNIVERSE, A DOOR FOR THE GODDESS WHO GREW UP, CLOISTERED IN A CONVENT!** 1
INCREDIBLE!A MIRROR! THEY
ARE FORBIDDEN HERE!
YOUR REFLECTION BECOMES IMPATIENT, LOOK AT YOURSELF
THAT I'LL LOOK DIFFERENT THAN HOW I IMAGINED
MYSELF...
ADMIRE YOURSELF WITHOUT FEAR, MISTRESS s YOUR FACE IS MORE \ BEAUTIFUL THAN THE
8 k BEAUTY OF YOUR
5 C U L ! ^ S i / /
OHHL..I’M REALLY
AS I DREAMED I WOULD BE!
I NOW KNOW WHY GIOVANNI SFORZA WANTS TO MARRY
ME; IT'S FOR MY B E A U T Y U ^
MADAM, IF YOU WERE LAME, ONE-EYED AND GROSSLY FA T HE WOULD MARRY YOU! YOUR
POLITICAL IMPORTANCE IS PRICELESS! THE FATE OF ROME IS IN YOUR HANDS! .
FATE OF ROME LIES BETWEEN MY
THIGHS!
BY THE POWER OF THIS DOCUMENT, THE CHURCH PARDONS YOU
FOR ALL YOUR SINS THIS YEAR, THAT WILL BE
v A THOUSAND ECUS.
INFINITE THANKS, MY
LORD BISHOP. HERE IS THE PAYMENT.
FOLLOW ME MADAM.WE HAVE TO 6 0 THROUGH
SEVERAL SALONS BEFORE WE GET TO YOUR FATHER'S PRIVATE APARTMENTS. THERE ALWAYS
\ IS A CROWD OF PEOPLEHERE... /
POUAH!WHAT A STENCH!
THE SWEAT OF BEASTS V SMELLS BETTER! >
? . CHRISTIANS FROM THE FOUR
CORNERS OF EUROPE COME HERE ON PILGRIMA6ES HANDS FULL OF MONEY, TO
BUY THE SALVATION OF THEIR SOULS... .
MASTER, AM I MISTAKEN TO CONSIDER THE CHURCH A BIG
v WHORE? .
ENTER, MADAM. THEY AWAIT YOU
IMPATIENTLY. I WILL RETURN TO MY
SOLITUDE.
MACHIAVELLI, YOUR SUBLIME SPIRIT INHABITS THE BODY OF
A MAN. TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES, YOU MAY
s PENTASILEA FOR / THE NIGHT... (<
THAT IS SO, LUCRECIA; HERE, THE PRIESTS, THE ALTARS, THE
SACRED RITES, THE PRAYERS, EVEN HEAVEN AND GOD, THEY
ALL ARE FOR SALE!
ALEXANDER VI,IN HIS PRIVATE
APARTMENTS DOES NOT RECEIVE THOSE
CHILDREN...
MYDAUGHTER!
IT WAS ME WHO CHOSE THE
RED DRESS FOR YOU LITTLE SISTER!
OH, LUCRECIA,YOU HAVE BECOME A WOMAN! YOU'RE EVEN
MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN YOUR
MOTHER! ¿ S S
LET ME BY, YOU PRETENTIOUS
MORON!
DON'T BE SO MEAN
CESAR!
FA THER! M Y BRO THERS! I REALLY MISSED
YOU!
LET 6 0 v LITTLE FAG! YOU THINK OF HIM / yoU'RE MORE IMPORTANT CESAR! / THAN I AM! YOU DIDN'T
DESERVE GETTING \ THE DUCHY OF V
1 V 6ANDIA! ,,
ENOUGH.! CHILDREN, STOP THIS!
JEALOUS! YOUR CLOTHES
STINK! YOU WANT TO BE IN MY PLACE!
LET GO, GIOVANNI!
STOP / 77you r r i v a l r y isFOOLISH! MY HEART IS BIG ENOUGH
TO LOVE ALL OF YOU THE SAME \ WAY! WE ARE A FAMILY! A !
HOLY FAMILY! /
CESAR, YOU'RE THE STRONGEST
BREAK THIS BARNCH!
SIT DOWN!OR / WILL
EXCOMMUNtCA TE ALL OF YOU!
NOW, BREAK THIS BUNDLE OF FIVE BRANCHES!
YES, VERY EASY, FATHER. WHAT IS YOUR
POINT?
OOF!IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!
DO YOU UNDERSTAND, MY
CHILDREN? ANYONE CAN VANQUISH ONE BORGIA. NO ONE CAN
VANQUISH FIVE!
YOU'VE TOLD US THIS SINCE WE WERE LITTLE
CHILDREN, PAPA...
THE STRENGTH OF A FAMILY IS LIKE THAT OF AN ARMY, IT RESTS IN COHESION
AND UNITY...
IT'S TRUE; THOSE WORDS
ARE CARVED INTO MY MEMORY...
THE CLOSENESS OF BLOOD IS THE MOST SACRED LINK WHICH BINDS HUMANS TOGETHER. MY BLOOD RUNS IN YOUR VEINS...LISTEN WHEN I
INTO MINE AS WELL...
SOMEDAY, I WILL WANT ALL OF YOU TO HELP
...TO EXTEND THE POWER OF THE CHURCH
OF MY CHURCH...
...TO THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE
WORLD!
I AM PROUD THAT YOUR MEMORIES ARE FAITHFUL TO MY TEACHINGS,
BECAUSE WE FACE A GREAT DANGER. OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHAT
WE DECIDE HERE TODAY...
ALL THE RULERS IN THE WORLD HAVE RECOGNIZED
THAT I REPRESENT CHRIST AND ARE COMING TO
V CONSULT WITH ME... ̂
ALL, EXCEPT FERRANTI OF NAPLES, WHO PLOTS WITH CHARLES VIII TO HEAD A NEW CONCLAVE BENT ON
DETHRONING ME AND ACCUSING ME OF HERESY, AND PUTTING IN MY PLACE CARDINAL DELA ROVERE!
BUT, IT'S NOT JUST FRANCE AND NAPLES THAT MENACE US. THERE IS ALSO SPAIN,
SEDUCED BY THE LUST FOR POWER OF FERNAND OF ARAGON... FOR US TO SURVIVE
THEIR DEMAND FOR AN COUNCIL, WE HAVE TO MAKE
TO DO ALL OF THIS, MY CHILDREN, I NEED YOUR UNCONDITIONAL
ASSISTANCE... REMEMBER, WE ARE THREATENED WITH
EXILE AND RUIN...
YEARS! I EVEN HAVE SOME PUBIC HAIR. I REALLY WANT
TO MOUNT A WOMAN!
JOFFRE, YOU MAY BE STILL A CHILD, BUT YOU WILL MARRY SANCHA,
THE DAUGHTER OF ALPHONSE
GIOVANNI, YOU ARE GOING TO RETURN TO SPAIN, THE LAND OF
OUR ANCESTORS, TO MARRY THE PRINCESS MARIA ENRIQUEZ, THE
COUSIN OF FERNAND OF ARAGON...
WELL, EVEN IF SEX WITH WOMEN
DISGUSTS ME, I WILL DO AS YOU ORDER ME
TO, FATHER!
AND YOU, LUCRECIA, LIGHT OF MY LIFE, YOU WILL MARRY GIOVANNI SFORZA, THE DUKE OF PESARO, AND
NEPHEW TO LUDOVIC, THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN MILAN... j k
I’M VERY READY TO OBEY YOU
FATHER, BUT I HAVE A
PROBLEM...
LUCRECIA 5 PROBLEM CAN WAIT! j MINE SEEMS MORE IMPORTANT; YOU ARE MARRYING
EVERYONE EXCEPT ME! ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY THAT I AM NOT NECESSARY FOR WHAT
CESAR, MY SON, YOU ARE MY PRINCIPAL ASSET! I AM GOING TO PROCLAIM YOU THE
CARDINAL-ARCHBISHOP. UPON MY DEATH, YOU WILL BECOME THE POPE. IT DEPENDS ON YOU TO SEE THAT THE HOLY CHURCH
REMAINS IN BORGIA
FATHER, RELIGION BARELY INTERESTS ME. I WANT TO DO BATTLE
WAGE WAR, LEAD AN ARMY... AUT CESAR,
V AUT NIHIL!
THE POPE IS THE SUPREME HEAD OF ALL THE ARMIES. YOU CAN HELP ME ELIMINATE THE i COMMON MERCENARIES, THOSE SWISS BANDITS//"
ARE READY TO BETRAY US FOR A HANDFUL / ] / / OF GOLD. WE WILL CREATE AN ARMY
OF FAITHFUL ROMANS...
NOW, MY BEAUTY WHAT IS YOUR
PROBLEM?
I AM AFRAID THAT MY MARRIAGE MIGHT BE A FAILURE. I'M NOT AS EXPERIENCED AS MY
FRIEND JULIA... I DON'T KNOW \ WHAT TO DO TO MAKE A '¡¡h ^ MAN HAPPY IN BED...
IF THAT’S SO, IT SUITS
ME!
AND YOU CESAR, YOU HAVE ALREADY
KNOWN SOME WOMEN?
I HAVE, FATHER.
AND... YOU SATISFIED THEM?
ALL OF THEM HAVE ASKED ME TO
DO THEM THE HONOR
TELL ME... WOULD YOU NOT DO THE SAME
WITH YOUR SISTER?
^ HOW COULD YOU ASK THAT
OF ME?! DOES IT NOT DISTURB YOU TO CONDEMN MY SOUL TO THE ETERNAL
FLAMES OF HELL?
THE PHARAOHS OF EGYPT SLEPT WITH THEIR SISTERS
TO PRESERVE THE PURITY OF THE ROYAL BLOOD...
IS THAT A GOOD ENOUGH
REASON FOR YOU TO PROPOSE THIS TO US?
MY GIRL, THE FIRST MAN WHO SLEEPS WITH A WOMAN IS THE MASTER OF HER
HEART AND HER ACTIONS. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE KEYS TO ROME TO A STRANGER.
IT IS FORTHIS REASON I ASK YOU TO
THE LOYALTY OF FAMILY COMES BEFORE ALL THINGS. WE HAVE TO PROTECT EACH OTHER
AND NEVER RENOUNCE THE BONDS WHICH UNITE US. SHOULD WE NOT DO THIS, WE WILL BE DESTROYED. IF YOU ARE TRULY BORGIAS,
IS IT TRUE? I AM
MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN ALL OF THE V OTHERS? ,
/ YOU ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
WOMAN THAT I HAVE EVER
v SEEN!
AND YOU, WITH YOUR VIRILE BODY, MUSCLED
LIKE AN OLYMPIAN,. EMBRACE ME!
I BLESS you, f IN THE NAME OF \
THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
FORGET THE REST OF THE WORLD, UNITE YOUR BODIES V AND UNITE YOUR >
SOULS...
YOU ARE MINE FOREVER... PROMISE ME THAT YOU
l WILL LET NO ONE GIVE [ YOU MORE PLEASURE I THAN I AM GOING TO / (K GIVE YOU... ¿ Z
/ \ I SWEAR;I WILL NEVER LOVE ANYONE
MORE THAN I LOVE YOU AT THIS
\ MOMENT.
- —
/ HAVE SEEN AN IMMENSE
ARMY OF KNIGHTS
CROSS THE HEA VENS AMID f
A TERRIBLE CLAMOR OF DRUMS AND
V TRUMPETS!
COME! COME QUICKL Y!
SAVONAROLE IS HAVING SOME NEW
^ VISIONS!
FL ORENCE
/ HA VE SEEN THE IMAGE OF SAINT
ANNE CRYING TEARS OF BLOOD!
HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF SOD
THEY WILL RAPE ME!
WE ARE MENACED BY THE BLACK PLAGUE! INVASION BY FRANCE!
.DEVASTATION, PILLAGE * \ FIRES AND
DEATH! „ /v ,
OHHHH! m e Z .t .IT IS DIVINE PUNISHMENT!
SAVE US SAVONAROLE!
AND ALL THESE ODIOUS VOMENS WILL COME TO cuamp-
PASS BECAUSE,,, ,,ALEXANDER VI BOUGHTVOTES TO GAIN THE ' - VPAPAL THRONE! CUT \
OFF HIS
/ WHATGREED!
TONSURE, AND HIS
HEAD!
THEY SAY TOO THIS DEGENERATE SLEEPS
WITH CHILDREN, GOATS, CHICKENS AND A MARE HE BATHES IN MILK AND PERFUMES
WITH INCENSE!
THIS DISEASED POPE FOR N IC A TES W ITH
ALL THE WOMEN IN ROME! A T NIGHT, DISGUISED A S A
DEVIL BREASTS AND VAGINAS SLIDE IN T O HIS BED!
/ DEMAND THA T FLORENCE INVADES
ROME AND DESTROYS THIS DIABOLICAL
POPE!
L E T THE HOL Y FRIAR
GOVERN k* US!____
DOW N W ITH THE MEDICIS!
WAR W ITH THE BORGIAS!
YOUR HOLINESS, WE ARE THREATENED
BY FLORENCE.
DON'T WORRY, ^ MACHIAVELI. LUCRECIA'S
MARRIAGE TO SFORZA IS GOING TO GIVE US THE POWER WE NEED TO BURN THE LIAR...
LAURENT THE MAGNIFICENT KNEW HOW TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM
SAVONAROLE, BUT HIS SUCCESSOR, THE YOUNG PETER MEDICI, IS WEAK.
THIS DOMINICAN HAS BECOME A .DANGEROUS LIAR WHO
_ CA AIMS TO SPEAK ' ^ FOR GOD. ____
THAT SINNER IS PREGNANT WITH THE CHILD OF SFORZA'S
SQUIRE. DON'T WORRY DUARTE I HAVE SENT A
REMARKABLE AMBASSADOR TO ANNUL THEIR
MARRIAGE!
BUT, MOST HOLY FATHER, WHY ORGANIZE THIS CEREMONY
WHEN GIOVANNI SFORZA IS MARRIED TO MADELIENE DE GONZAGUE? SHE IS EIGHT
MONTHS PREGNANT! >
A THING MY FUTURE SON-IN-LAW WILL ACCEPT WITH PLEASURE, THOUGH
NOT FOR HIS LOVE OF LUCRECIA. HE, LIKE MY SON GIOVANNI, HAS NO TASTE FOR WOMEN, BUT HE DOES HAVE A TASTE
\ FOR HER DOWRY OF 30 ,000 GOLD. ,
PESARO
l e s s
n n t w r n m
f f r r i >
m n \n m
c * * * f » n
m w m j w iz HERE IS THE
/ LANCE YOU ASKED FOR, MICHELETTO! AS
USUAL, MADELEINE IS DOWN THERE, IN THE STABLE,
BEING DIVERTED BY v. HER SERVANT... /
GO ON! GO ON, GUIDO! I'M YOUR
BITCH!THERE!
TAKE THA T WHORE!
THA T'S IT I'M CUMMINS/ BARK! BITCH!
WOOF!WOOF!
AAAGH!
THIS WAS YOUR LAST RUT!DAMN YOU!
TAKE IT, LORD SFORZA! YOU CAN
NOW ANNOUNCE THAT YOUR WIFE AND HER
CHILD DIED WHILE SHE WAS GIVING
BIRTH.
PALACE O F SANTA MARIA IN PORT/CU
THE DUKE OF PESARO'S WELCOMING PROCESSION IS ALWAYS ON TIME. MY
DAUGHTER HAS TO GET TO KNOW HIM. WHY IS SHE LATE NOW? THE MOB IS IMPATIENT! THEY WANT TO SEE IT
V ALL AS MUCH AS THEY WANT TO SEE THE DUKE!
HOPEFULLY SFORZA IS NOT
A TRUE MAN... I'LL KILL HIM IF HE TOUCHES
MY SISTER!HMMM... IF WE BELIEVE THE GOSSIP, THEY’LL FORCE HIM TO MAKE
A SPEECH!
(Cy£
ARRIVED IN TIME, DIDN'T I?
• Ä ' .» I
LONGLIVE THE
MARRIAGE!
LUCRECIA! YOU HEAR, MY GIRL? YOUR BEAUTY
HAS MADE YOU MISTRESS OF
v THE ROMANS! >
DON'T TRY TO PLAY TO MY VANITY! WHY DO YOU W ANT ME TO TAKE THIS
PATH? WHETHER IT PLEASES ME OR NOT,
I'M PROMISED TO HIM. THE FACT
THAT I HATE HIM
CHANGES NOTHING.
YOU MISTAKE ME,I COULD NEVER BE
HAPPY, IF I KNEW THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS
UNHAPPY!
HYPOCRYTEL. EVEN IF I WAS DYING OF THE PLAGUE, YOU
WOULD FORCE ME TO DO THIS...
THERE! FLUTES AND TRUMPETS
FOR THE FAGGOTS!
LOOK! THERE ARE THE EMISSARIES FROM MILAN,
FLORENCE, VENICE, NAPLES, FROM FRANCE, SPAIN... AND
ALL THE NOTABLES W OF ROME!
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING
ABOUT, MY ^ SISTER?
EVEN IF HE IS YOUR 'HUSBAND, REFUSE TO HMMM...
\ MAKE LOVE TO HIM. KEEP NOW,N YOURSELF FOR ME. I'LL / T H A T I
\ V ALWAYS BE NEAR. 1 FIND VERYt EXCITING!
OH, THAT HE'S FOURTY YEARS OLD, SHORT, FAT AND ILL- MANNERED! HE DISGUSTS •
\ ME! HIS SOLDIERS STINK / O v O F ROTTEN CHEESE! /
YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED FOR THE
GOOD OF THE FAMILY AND THE CHURCH; YOU
DON'T HAVE TO BE FAITHFUL TO HIM...
VATICAN CITY, THE STABLE COURTYARD.
GET UP!
WHAT HAS HAPPENED, FATHER?
LOVE HAS MADE YOU DEAF? THE DUKE’S SOLDIERS HAVE LOST
THEIR HEADS! THEY WANT THE WEDDING CALLED OFF! IF THEY
AREN'T STOPPED SOON, THE CITY WILL BE IN RUINS! DO
SOMETHING CESAR!
~ GIOVANNI, ^GO CALM YOUR MEN! THE
BRAWLING YOUR GORILLAS ARE DOING IS WELL BEYOND CELEBRATING! PROVE TO
ME THAT YOU CAN v CONTROL THEM! /
FAITHFUL SOLDIERS, CEASE
THIS FOOLISHNESS! IT’S TIME FOR YOU
TO BE IN BED! y
SO, COWARD, you DARE TO GIVE US ORDERS? YOU FORGET HOW MANY
TIMES I HAVE RAMMED MY \ COCK IN YOUR /
THROAT? . <
A LORD DOES NOT LET HIMSELF
BE HUMILIATED! LET ME HANDLE THIS.
f REALLY, YOUR LORDSHIP... DO
YOU WANT ME TO \ KISS YOUR
\ ASS?
SILENCE; INSOLENT ) MORON/ I AM CESAR /
BORGIA! / S i
LET'S NOT \ UPSET THEM...
THEY ARE TOTALLY DRUNK... LET THEM
DRINK UNTIL THEY PASS OUT... THAT WONT
TAKE LONG... X
IF AN ASS HAS TO BE KISSED
IT WILL BE MINE!
YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE
STRONGER THAN I AM?
THAT IS OBVIOUS, MY LORD DWARF!
IT'S YOU WHO WILL BE PUTTING YOUR LIPS ON MY STINKING HOLE!
AAARRGH!
you...ARE...THE...
LORD..BORGIA
you HAVE VANQUISHED ME,
MY LORD! I CAN DO NO MORE THAN GO TO MY
KNEES AND KISS
FORGIVE US, OH; CESARf
OUFU REALLY THOUGHT THAT
HERCULE WAS GOING TO KILL US, OR WHO KNOWS MAYBE EVEN
VIOLATE US... HMMM...
GOOD NIGHT, LUCRECIA!
GOOD NIGHT, YOUR HOLINESS!
GIOVANNI SFORZA IS A COWARD! GESAR, HE,
IS A TRUE HERO!
HE IS A BORGIA!
SAINT PETER'S PAPAL PALACE.
% à W f i * ñ ñ t* %
BEFORE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND ALEXANDER VI, HIS VICCAR, WHAT
DO YOU DESIRE?
MY DESIRE...I DESIRE TO HAVE THIS WOMAN AS v MY WIFE, v
LUCRECIA, THIS SWORD IS TO REMIND YOU OF THE DANGER AN UNFAITHFUL
WIFE WILL FACE!
I HAVE KNOWN, AND
WILL KNOW, NO OTHER MAN THAN
MY HUSBAND!
HE, HE!... MY DEAR JULIEN DELA ROVERE, HOW
FAITHFUL DO YOU THINK THIS CHILD WILL
BAH! SHE COMES FROM A LINE OF SPANISH BANDITS, AND IS THE
OF A WHORE... SHE CAN BE NOTHING OTHER THAN VICIOUS!
TODAY, SHE'S DRESSED LIKE A PRINCESS, TOMORROW SHE'LL
GIOVANNI SFORZA, IT FALLS TO A MAN
TO SATISFY HIS
I SWEAR TO DO MY CONJUGAL DUTY REGULARLY!
HE, HE, HE! DO YOU THINK HE WILL BE
ABLE TO PUT HIS SABER INTO HER
SCABBARD?
r
WHEN WE SEE PIGS FLY! SFORZA
IS A STARVING FAGGOT! HIS ASS
HAS SEEN THE PASSAGE OF MORE
COCKS THAN WATER HAS FLOWED IN
THE TIBER!
I■r i
THIS WEDDING RING IS THE SYMBOL OF THIS IMPERISHABLE
UNION...
LONG LIVE THE
MARRIAGE!
LIKE ALL THE SPANISH, HER
ASS HAS GOT TO BE COVERED WITH
HAIR!
LONG LIVE HE 5GIOVANNI ALMOST SFORZA! / A
" < DWARF...
WHATWILDEYES...LONG LIVE
LUCRECIA BORGIA!
I SHE HAS NO BUST!
NOT AT ALL, LORD...HIS HOLINESS HAS DECIDED
THAT THE YOUNG LUCRECIA WILL REMAIN HERE FOR
YEARS, TO MATURE..
YES, AND I'M THE ONE WHO WILL HELP HER DO THAT, NO
DOUBT!
HOW SAD, OUR SISTER IS GOING TO BE PENNED UP IN PESARO. THAT WILL BE HARD TO
ACCEPT! ^ I
VAIN PIG!YOU THINK THAT
YOUR COCK IS THE CENTER OF THE
WORLD?...
TO JOY! ^ f TO ENERGY! EAT f AND DRINK, DON'T
HOLD BACK! LET THISY BANQUET NEVER BE/
FORGOTTEN! A I
THAT'S IT LITTLE WHORES!
DIVEST ME OF THIS DAMNED CASSOCK!
/ SHIT ON GOD!/ WANT TO BE A SOLDIER, NOT A
^^A R D IN A L!
YOU EMIT ODORS OF HORSE, FISH AND
CHEAP WINE... COULD YOU BE ANY LESS ROMANTIC,
MY HUSBAND...
HMMM.A fA fM .
SOON, EUROPE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH! IT IS PROPER FOR ROME TO
RULE THE ENTIRE ^ WORLDI ^
I AM SURE I HAVE ^ THE POWER NECESSARY TO
ACCOMPLISH SUCH A GIGANTIC TASK! I WAS NOT NAMED CESAR
FOR NOTHING! WHAT JULIUS CESAR DID ONCE, I CAN
DO AGAIN!
THE TOAD TRIED TO INFLATE HIMSELF AS BIG
AS A COW... AND THEN HE EXPLODED... YOU WILL BE
A GREAT CONQUEROR, ^ WITH NO ARMY... A
' s ' WHAT ARE YOU / INSINUATING, SNAKE? N THAT LUCRECIA'S HUSBAND WONT CONVINCE HIS UNCLE LUDIVIC LE MARRE TO GIVE
X ME SOLIDIERS OR ARMY?
ENOUGH! ITALY IS DIVIDED TOO MUCH FOR ME TO PUT UP
WITH INTERNAL FI6HTIN6! TOAST LIKE GOOD BROTHERS, THE
ALLIANCE OF ROME ^ AND MILAN! ^ - <
TO THE ALLIANCE OF ROME AND MILAN!
A MOMENT!MY NAME IS LUCRECIA BORGIA
IT IS NOT ROME! I DRINK TO \ THE ALLIANCE OF GIOVANNI
--V SFORZA AND LUCRECIA xHISTORY BORGIA! -■ -
MOCKS THE UNION OF A COCK AND AN ASS! WE)DO NOT CELEBRATE THE UNION OF A MAN AND ^A WOMAN; BUT THAT j£ m WOF TWO CITIES! ^- - tch... m m ' "
BROTHERV IS JEALOUS! j r
DON'T BE SO S TUP/D, GIOVANNI! ENGLAND AND FRANCE EXIST, THEY ARE
ALLIES! AN ITAL Y DOESN'T EXIST YET; THERE'S ROME,
AND FARTHER NAPLES, STILL FARTHER MILAN AND VENICE AND THE RES T! EACH S TA TE
HAS IT'S OWN LITTLE INTERESTS! WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED
you SEE?DRINK TO ROME
AND MILAN!
IT WILL BE NECESSARY, MY LORD, FOR ROME AND MILAN TO BE
UNIFIED, SO THEY MAY INVADE THE OTHER STATES. A NATIONAL UNITY
WILL BE THE RESULT AND THAT WILL JUSTIFY THE M ETH O D S^
EMPLOYED.
HAVE I MISSED SOMETHING?
THIS NIGHT IS YOURS, LUCRECIA! LET'S GET TO YOUR
DEFLOWERATION CEREMONY
HUH?WHA 77 D... DE... DEFLOWER?/?
THE NUPTIAL COITUS HAS TO BE PUBLIC. IT'S AN ANCIENT CUSTOM IN ROME WHICH
WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE VISIGOTHS. THE GUESTS HAVE TO WITNESS THE
PENETRATION AND APPLAUD
HOWHORRID!
BLOOD...BUT...
THE GREAT MOMENT HAS COME! EVERYONE,
TO THE NUPTIAL CHAMBER!
TO BED! TO BED! COMPLETELY NUDE!
HEAR ME, ALLWHO LIVE IN FEAR OF
GOD; THE HYMEN OF THIS WOMAN, PUBLICLY TAKEN, WILL BE THE IRREFUTABLE PROOF OF THE LEGITIMACY . OF THIS MARRIAGE... ,
/ PENTASILEA, J ; \ CATARINELA, COME M
UNDRESS ME!D E A R " ^ ------------------
GIOVANNI,YOU CAN HAVE THE PLEASURE
OF HELPING ME! y S M P B f i
WITH JOY DUKE!
YOU MUST BE TOTALLY
NUDE, MISTRESS.
I'M GOING TO WEAR THE NECKLACE AND THE EAR RINGS, I WILL FEEL LESS HUMILIATED WHEN THEY FIND OUT I'MV NOT A VIRGIN. — — >
{ HT i i 1 ^ 1 4 }
i ; ) 1 A .
i t Z )/ 1 /> j * 1 1 m 1 1
\ i l l/ ^ I f l Ï 4 A
NO ONE WILL MOCK MY
MISTRESS! YOU HAVE A HYMEN... AND, YOU WILL BLEED!
TAKE THIS...
IT’S A PIGEON’S EGG, FULL OF BLOOD. HIDE IT
BETWEEN YOU THIGHS, AND WITH A SCREAM OF PAIN,
BREAK IT!
COURAGE, MY FRIEND... IT’S ENOUGH FOR YOU
TO MOUNT MY SISTER... .IT 'S NOT A QUESTION \ OF PENETRATION... v k l ’M GOING TO PUT V ^ Y O U IN SHAPE...
BEUH... BHUU... BHEEUU... I'LL
NEVER GET HARD! A WOMAN’S GROTTO
DISGUSTS ME!
NONE MAY SAY THAT MY DAUGHTER'S BEAUTY
IS NOT A GIFT FROM GOD!
I NEVER THOUGHT THA T IT WOULD BE
SO BIG! A
AMAZING!HE'S AS HARD
AS A ROCK!
YOU’RE RIGHT,HE WILL GO INTO TH AT
SLUT LIKE A KNIFE ^ INTO BUTTER! ^
HE'S GOING TO TEAR HER! y
O O O F!YOU WEIGH
A TON! YOU'RE ALL FAT!
I FEEL LIKE VOMITTING!
DESTROY THE WALL! Jm-MOUNT THE I
MARE! i
PUT YOUR BIRD IN THE WET CAGE!
y BREAK H I I DOW N THE W !A . DIKE!
O W W W !YOU HUR T
ME!
THIS MARK SHOWS ALL TH AT ULYSSES HAS TRULY PLUNGED HIS SWORD INTO
PENELOPE'S BREAST!
I DECLARE CONSUMATED
THIS HOLY MARRIAGE!
M sDAMN YOU! LET ME PASS, IDIOT! THIS IS
URGENT! IF YOU DON'T SHOULDER YOUR LANCE,
I WILL HAVE YOU ^ . GUTTED! ^ 4
HAL T THERE, M Y LORD! AH, DUARTE... YOU ABUSE
OUR OLD FRIENDSHIP... TONIGHT I AM TOO DRUNK... MY HEAD ACHES... I GAVE ORDERS NOT
TO BE DISTURBED...
RODRIGO, LISTEN TO ME
PLEASE...
THE KING OF FRANCE HAS RAISED A COLOSSAL ARMY. HE
PLANS ON INVADING ITALY, AND USING NAPLES AS A FORWARD BASE FOR A FUTURE CRUSADE. HE IS COUNTING ON HELP FROM
THE ENGLISH, SPANISH AND
ALSO, JULIEN DELA ROVERE HAS' S H IT ! IF MILAN FALLS, SENT AN ASTROLOGIST TO THEN LUCRECIA’S MARRIAGE
CHARLES VIII, TO CONVINCE HIM / j q SFORZA IS USELESS! IT THAT HE, AND NOT YOU, ) WILL HAVE TO BE ANNULLED,
SHOULD BE THE POPE. / AND HER REMARRIED TO V/M in /»nun/»., .e . SOMEONE MORE
I'M GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE AN ALLIANCE WITH NAPLES AND ARAGON! THAT WILL
CLEAR OUT THE SWISS MERCENARIES AND CREATE A MORE LOYAL ARMY! THEN FIND
A STRATEGY TO STOP THIS BASTARD JULIEN DELA ROVERE FROM DEPOSING
^ ME FROM MY PAPAL THRONE!
f p p i
B Y THE M ILK O F THE VIRGIN MARY, CAN I N O T HAVE ONE DAY; FOR A L ITTLE
REST?!! .
COMING NEXT, BOOK 3: THE PYRE OF FLAMES.
ISBN 2-226- 16678-5 61 0923 5
13,90 € TT C
9 782226 166784
