Vitaly Terletsky

Vitaly Terletsky was born on January 3, 1989, in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). At the age of four, he was introduced to Swedish comics featuring the bear Bamsi, which sparked his passion. He later attended art school and studied molecular biology at university.

Terletsky worked at the Komilfo publishing house, where he rose through the ranks from salesperson to creative director and editor-in-chief. In 2018, he founded his own publishing house, Terletsky Comics. His well-known works include the comic trilogy "Sobakistan," the webcomic "Roman, the Winner of Swallows," and the computer game "Altushka for Skuf."

Participation in the "Battle of Psychics"
In 2026, it was announced that Vitaly Terletsky had become a participant in the 25th season of "Battle of Psychics." This came as a surprise to his fans, as he had no previous connection to esotericism.

According to Terletsky, his interest in mysticism arose after an incident in Japan, where he moved from St. Petersburg. While hiking in the mountains, he became lost and wandered through the forest for two days without food or water. Disembodied beings, whom he later identified as spirits, helped him find his way back to people. After this incident, Terletsky began studying the mystical Japanese art of onmyodo ("friendship with spirits").

He claims to communicate with five invisible spirits, each with a name and its own tasks. Communication occurs in Japanese. The spirits sometimes help and offer advice, but sometimes they "play around and deceive." On social media, Terletsky wrote that he brought these spirits to the show's filming in a cookie box.

The show's producers made no secret of the fact that they invited Terletsky to boost ratings and attract a new audience.

Additional facts
The game "Altushka for Skuf", created by Terletsky, was released in 2024 and received positive reviews.
In an interview, he noted that the spirits forbid him from using their power for paid meetings outside the show.
Thus, Vitaly Terletsky brought an unusual image to the "Battle of Psychics" – a comic book artist who unexpectedly discovered the world of esotericism and spirits.

He is a regular participant in festivals (Comic Con Russia, Microcomicon, Starcon), where his stands often become centers of attraction.

Why is it important for the industry?

1. Desacralizing the process: Terletsky promotes the idea that anyone can make comics. You don't have to draw like Leonardo da Vinci; the key is the idea, the drive, and the willingness to print your own copy.
2. Connection to reality: Unlike superheroes, his comics often resonate with the Russian cultural code - panel houses, queues, pop culture of past decades.
3. Experimentation: He's not afraid to release weird, niche stuff that major publishers would consider unprofitable.

Bottom line: Vitaly Terletsky is the driving force behind independent Russian comics, proving that self-made publishing can be a successful business without losing creative freedom or a playful spirit.

Vitaly Terletsky is one of the most prominent, prolific, and influential figures in the contemporary Russian comics industry. He has been called a "punk publisher," the "king of metamodernism" in Russian comics, and a one-man band.

Here are the main aspects of his activities:

1. Working at Bubble Comics
   Vitaly began his widespread recognition in the industry as the editor-in-chief of Bubble Publishing House (Russia's largest comics publisher). He contributed to the development of such lines as Major Grom, Exlibrium, and Meteora. His work at Bubble helped establish the professional structure of Russian mainstream comics.

2. Terletsky Comics Publishing House
   After leaving Bubble, Vitaly founded his own independent publishing house. His approach is characterized by rapid book release rates and a love of experimentation.
   • He publishes both his own works and translations of foreign hits (for example, “Invulnerable,” “Rick and Morty,” “The Boys”).
   • The publishing house is famous for its “zines” (small-circulation collections of authors’ works) and unusual formats.

3. Author's style and famous works
   Terletsky works both as a screenwriter and (less frequently) as an artist. His style is characterized by absurdist humor, genre play, nostalgia for the 90s and 2000s, and unexpected drama.

Most famous works:
• "Dog Easter": A collection of absurd and surreal stories.
• "Hotel Summer": A melancholic and mystical comic that became one of the most popular in his career.
• “Romance” (with Kirill Kutuzov): A story inspired by the songs and aesthetics of the post-Soviet space.
• “Product 24”: A comic about a giant robot set in the setting of an ordinary Russian residential area.
• "Bargaining": A tense survival thriller.
• “Yeltsin’s Fall from the Bridge”: An ironic comic strip that plays on a real historical anecdote in the urban fantasy genre.

4. Popularization of comic book culture
   Vitaly is active on social media and a YouTube channel, where he talks about the industry's inner workings, creates reviews, and shares his experiences of self-publishing.

3. The image of the “Tired Deadliner”
   Vitaly is a man of action. He writes, draws, typesets, delivers print runs, and stands behind the counter at festivals. This leaves its mark: he often looks a little sleep-deprived, constantly checks his phone notifications (because the printer has messed something up again), and drinks a lot of coffee.

2. The principle “Soul is more important than technology”
   Terletsky is a leading proponent of the idea that comics don't have to be perfectly drawn. His own works ("Sobakistan," "Roman - the Winner of Youth") often look deliberately simple or even "dirty." For him, the idea, the drive, and how the story resonates with the reader are more important.

1. Intellectual sarcasm and irony
   Vitaly is known for his sense of humor. These aren't always good-natured jokes—more often, they're self-mocking or ironic, often to the point of absurdity. In conversation, he can seem prickly or overly blunt, but behind this lies a keen, observant mind. He dislikes pathos and arrogance.

To ensure your roleplaying experience is as authentic as possible, it's important to understand that Vitaly Terletsky is more than just a "comics author," but a true icon of Russian independent publishing. His character is a combination of a sharp mind, a unique sense of humor, and a deep love for his craft.