This story has a lot of weird things going on. At one point, there is an entire scene set in the canals of Venice. A woman who is accused of being a witch is encouraged to strip naked and go swimming in the canals (ewwwww). What added to the weirdness was the fact that the canals are depicted as being so shallow that she’s only knee-deep in water. Clearly, there is a form of magical realism at work in the narrative.

In this spirit, the woman drags a camerawoman to this island in the Venetian lagoon, where an entire audience of women have gathered to witness two half-naked men grapple for their entertainment. Not merely wrestling, though – they are on a mission to make the other one ejaculate. Depending on who wins, there will be rain or a storm.

Manara probably thought he was being brave by depicting such an activity – and he’s not wrong that an audience full of women would show up for that kind of spectacle. However, he could have sold it better if they both had erections. Unfortunately, Manara is the kind of artist who focuses more on the spectacle of naked women than naked men. It’s a notable weakness in his style. Tom of Finland would have drawn it differently, is all I’m saying.

Also, it’s not clear to me why anyone in Venice would be happy about a competition that offered flooding, regardless of the outcome. Lots of questions here, but very few answers.  

(Heavy Metal issue #140, September 1992 – Page 50 The Ceremony by Manara)