Filippo Fontana's comic illustrates what it means to be filthy and foolishly rich

Magnum by Filippo Fontana, is a project that encapsulates what a student should be producing in their final term of a university course. Filippo has combined his interest in rap music, his dark and politically incorrect sense of humour, and flawless illustrative skills to create a very funny, and fantastically designed comic book. Fontana’s effort and enthusiasm for each of these elements is what makes this book a treasure to hold, and a great laugh to read too.

The influence for Magnum was inspired by the figure of the “nouveau riche,” a term to describe those who have only recently gained wealth and often perceived as having money, but no taste. Filippo was originally interested in graphic design but his comic was born out of an attraction to illustration combined with “a growing interest into the role of money in contemporary society. The comic book seemed like the perfect way to combine the two, and to comment in an ironic manner on this topic.”

In the foreword to the comic a piece by Japanese rap artist Shinji 9000 is used to describe nouveau riche characteristics in modern day culture. This foreword works so well because it’s a personal interest of Filippo’s he’s nourished: “Rap music has always been very important for me, and it was hip hop culture that introduced me to the art world when I was a teenager. However I never got to express anything linked to rap in the contents of my work. Until now, that is!"

Rather than focus on highlighting these characteristics earlier described in the foreword, Filippo draws upon their influences to create his own ludicrous examples of cheap wealth. One piece displays the best kind of satirical comment of useless and worthless wealth, as we see a man who lazes by the pool on a boat, actually built onto another boat, with a beach, built on top another boat, finally placed on top of a building.

The ridiculousness of the characters portrayed in these comics is heightened by Filippo’s use of highly concentrated colours chosen "to give a more surreal look to the comic book.” As rich as these colours may appear, the decision to print using Risograph displays the illustrator’s thoughtful process behind the meaning of this comic. "In this way the form of the book reflects its content: there isn’t anymore an exclusive connection between nobility and wealth, so something ‘expensive’ can be ‘cheap’ at the same time.”

Since graduating from Royal College of Art this year, Filippo is currently working as a freelance illustrator and is hoping to create a sequel to Magnum, we hope so too!