''Tango'' was a
comics anthology
A comics anthology collects works in the medium of comics, typically from multiple series, and compiles them into an anthology or magazine. The comics in these anthologies range from comic strips that are too short for standalone publication to co ...
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
George Allen & Unwin was a British publishing company formed in 1911 when Sir Stanley Unwin purchased a controlling interest in George Allen & Co. It became one of the leading publishers of the twentieth century and established an Australian ...
.
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
George Allen & Unwin was a British publishing company formed in 1911 when Sir Stanley Unwin purchased a controlling interest in George Allen & Co. It became one of the leading publishers of the twentieth century and established an Australian ...
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
Fox Feature Syndicate (also known as Fox Comics, Fox Publications, and Bruns Publications, Inc.) was a comic book publisher from early in the period known to fans and historians as the Golden Age of Comic Books. Founded by entrepreneur Victor S. ...
, 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.
[http://www.cardigancomics.com/images/cardigan/downlods/romance-comics.pdf (p. 4)]
Issues
There were nine issues of ''Tango'', with the last issue ''Tango 9: Love and War'' published in December 2009.
Tango
Published: 1997
Edited by: Bernard Caleo
Cover: Anita Baĉić
pp. 44
Two to Tango
Published: 1998
Edited by: Bernard Caleo
Cover: Anita Baĉić
pp. 56
Tango One Two Three
Published: 1999
Edited by: Bernard Caleo,
Jo Waite and Adam Possamaï
Cover: Anita Baĉić
pp. 60
Tango Quatro: Love and Death
Published: 2001
Edited by: Bernard Caleo
Cover: Anita Baĉić
pp. 100
Tango Five: Love and the Senses
Published: 2002
Edited by: Bernard Caleo
Cover: Anita Baĉić
pp. 142
Tango Six: Love and Sex
Published: 2005
Edited by: Bernard Caleo
Cover: Anita Baĉić
pp. 146
Tango Seven: Love and Sedition
Published: 2007
Edited by: Bernard Caleo
Cover: Anita Baĉić
pp. 152
Tango Eight: Love and Food
Published: 2008
Edited by: Bernard Caleo
Cover: Anita Baĉić
pp. 242
Tango Nine: Love and War
Published: 2009
Edited by: Bernard Caleo
Cover: Peter Ra
pp. 346
References
{{Authority control
Australian comic strips
1997 comics debuts
Romance comics