Tango (comics)

Tango was a comics anthology published in Melbourne, Australia by Cardigan Comics, with nine issues of Tango, published intermittently from 1997 to 2009, and an additional compilation The Tango Collection, published in 2009 by Allen & Unwin.

Overview

Tango is described as "the Australian romance comics anthology". Each issue features contributions by comic artists living and working in Melbourne and other parts of Australia and New Zealand. The first three issues of Tango were large format publications, inspired by large format anthologies from the United States such as the early issues of RAW. Later issues became smaller in format, and beginning with the fourth issue in 2001 (Tango Quatro), each has been sub-titled with a theme of "Love and ...". Respectively, the themes for issues four through nine have been: 'Love and Death', 'Love and the Senses', 'Love and Sex', 'Love and Sedition' 'Love and Food', and 'Love and War'. Drawing on contributions from the first eight issues of Tango, Allen and Unwin published The Tango Collection in 2009. In 2017-2018 the State Library of Victoria featured 'Tango' in its ongoing exhibition about the history of the book, 'The Mirror of the World'.

The Creator of Tango

Bernard Caleo was the creator and editor of Tango, as well as being a contributor to each issue. Caleo is also a performer, speaker, interviewer, blogger and general promoter of comics and comic talent in Melbourne and more broadly in Australia and New Zealand.

Origins

Spurred by the disappearance of an earlier Australian comic anthology, Fox Comics, Caleo wanted to provide a vehicle for both experienced and new comic artists to demonstrate and develop their talents. The chosen theme of romance is intended to evoke associations with both love and adventure.

Issues

There were nine issues of Tango, with the last issue Tango 9: Love and War published in December 2009.

Tango

Published: 1997<br /> Edited by: Bernard Caleo<br /> Cover: Anita Baĉić<br /> pp.&nbsp;44

Two to Tango

Published: 1998<br /> Edited by: Bernard Caleo<br /> Cover: Anita Baĉić<br /> pp.&nbsp;56

Tango One Two Three

Published: 1999<br /> Edited by: Bernard Caleo, Jo Waite and Adam Possamaï<br /> Cover: Anita Baĉić<br /> pp.&nbsp;60

Tango Quatro: Love and Death

Published: 2001<br /> Edited by: Bernard Caleo<br /> Cover: Anita Baĉić<br /> pp.&nbsp;100

Tango Five: Love and the Senses

Published: 2002<br /> Edited by: Bernard Caleo<br /> Cover: Anita Baĉić<br /> pp.&nbsp;142

Tango Six: Love and Sex

Published: 2005<br /> Edited by: Bernard Caleo<br /> Cover: Anita Baĉić<br /> pp.&nbsp;146

Tango Seven: Love and Sedition

Published: 2007<br /> Edited by: Bernard Caleo<br /> Cover: Anita Baĉić<br /> pp.&nbsp;152

Tango Eight: Love and Food

Published: 2008<br /> Edited by: Bernard Caleo<br /> Cover: Anita Baĉić<br /> pp.&nbsp;242

Tango Nine: Love and War

Published: 2009<br /> Edited by: Bernard Caleo<br /> Cover: Peter Ra<br /> pp.&nbsp;346

References