About The Book

Tentacles at My Throat is a coming-of-age story set in three different moments of Zerocalcare's life: primary school, junior high, and his adult life. It is a complete story told in three parts; three moments that have in common that all-too-familiar feeling of having tentacles at one's throat.

Three friends, their schoolgrounds, and a secret. And fifteen years later, the discovery that they all thought there was only one secret, but each had their own. And there was one more, bigger than the others, that none were aware of.

This is Zerocalcare's second graphic novel, the one that made him stand out as an intelligent, delicate, merciless narrator when it comes to describing his own weaknesses, which could in fact be everyone's. An honest, touching, intense story with a bit of Stand By Me thrown in for good measure, it's the book that made Zerocalcare a national success story in 2012 in Italy. The book has been reprinted nineteen times since its initial release, surpassing the 120,000 copies sold mark.

Zerocalcare's original animated series "Tear Along the Dotted Line" debuted on Netflix WORLDWIDE November 17, 2021. Season Two currently in production!

About The Author

Michele Rech (born 12 December 1983), known professionally as Zerocalcare, is an Italian cartoonist. His pen name, literally meaning "zero limescale", was inspired by an Italian TV commercial jingle for a descaler product, and was chosen when he needed a nickname to quickly join a discussion on the Internet. As of 2019, his books have sold over one million copies. His works were also adapted in other media, including the 2018 live-action movie The Armadillo Prophecy, based on the 2011 graphic novel of the same name, and the Netflix animated series Tear Along the Dotted Line (2021) and This World Can't Tear Me Down (2023), in which he also starred.

About The Illustrators

Michele Rech (born 12 December 1983), known professionally as Zerocalcare, is an Italian cartoonist. His pen name, literally meaning "zero limescale", was inspired by an Italian TV commercial jingle for a descaler product, and was chosen when he needed a nickname to quickly join a discussion on the Internet. As of 2019, his books have sold over one million copies. His works were also adapted in other media, including the 2018 live-action movie The Armadillo Prophecy, based on the 2011 graphic novel of the same name, and the Netflix animated series Tear Along the Dotted Line (2021) and This World Can't Tear Me Down (2023), in which he also starred.

Product Details

  • Publisher: ABLAZE (January 18, 2023)
  • Length: 208 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781684970926
  • Ages: 16 - 99

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Raves and Reviews

This work from one of Italy's rising comics stars surprises and charms at every hairpin turn.

– Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Tear Along the Dotted Line fits more into its first 15 minutes than pretty much any other animated TV series could."

– Indiewire.com

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