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 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