Proponents of this sharing culture argue that many of Manara’s works, particularly obscure short stories or specific European editions, are out of print. In this view, the "extra quality" scan serves a preservationist function, keeping the art accessible to new generations of scholars and artists who cannot access physical archives. This aligns with the concept of "orphan works," where the legal availability of a work does not meet the demand.
This paper explores the intersection of digital preservation, online file-sharing platforms, and the works of Italian comic artist Milo Manara. Specifically, it examines the phenomenon of "extra quality" scans found on platforms like Scribd, analyzing how the desire for high-fidelity viewing of erotic art conflicts with copyright enforcement and the technical limitations of digital document sharing. The paper argues that the pursuit of "extra quality" in underground digital archives functions as a form of fan-driven preservation, ensuring the legacy of Manara's detailed artistic style while simultaneously challenging intellectual property norms. milo manara scribd extra quality