Mantova Comics & Games was inspired by Lucca Comics & Games, Europe’s largest comic book convention that takes place in Lucca, Italy. Although Mantova Comics & Games isn’t quite as big, it is rather popular among comic book lovers and gamers from Italy and abroad. The inaugural festival held from May 26–28, 2006 attracted about 15,000 attendees, and in the next few years attendance almost doubled.
Mantova Comics & Games features popular comic book publishers from Italy and abroad, including, but not limited to Panini Comics, Sergio Bonelli Editore, Star Comic, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics. Every year, the Italian comic book publisher Panini Comics announces its publishing line-up for the next few months at Mantova Comics & Games.
Since its inception, the convention has hosted a number of well-known comic book authors and artists, including J. G. Jones, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Jill Thompson, Brian Azzarello, Gabriele Dell’Otto, Leo Ortolani, Milo Manara, Jim Lee, Sergio Bonelli, and others. Mantova Comics & Games has also hosted authors of fantasy, young adult and historical fiction, such as Francesco Falconi, Licia Troisi, Cecilia Randall, Luca Azzolini, Gianluca Morozzi, and Alan D. Altieri.
Mantova Comics & Games was the first convention in Italy to host a special event for up-and-coming comic book authors. Its main goal is to help aspiring authors connect with renowned industry professionals, as well as with Italy’s leading publishers.
Alongside comics, the convention heavily features tabletop games and video games. The gaming program includes several hundreds square meters of exhibition space dedicated to gaming, gaming tables, individual and team tournaments, and other events and activities for gamers. The festival also hosts cosplay-related events in a special area, where the best cosplayers in several different categories are rewarded with awards.
Photo: c4comic.it
