Sixty years after its founding in 1966, Lucca Comics & Games is celebrating a milestone that strengthens its position as an international capital of popular culture. The 2026 edition, running from October 28 to November 1, brings together more than 400 guests and 80 publishers, with the United States playing a prominent role.
The anniversary's most significant announcement came on October 29, when Italy's Ministry of Culture, Tuscany's regional government, and Lucca's municipality signed an agreement establishing a new Comics Museum.
The Expo Comics Museum Foundation will be created by March 31, 2027. Initially operating at Palazzo Guinigi, the museum will eventually occupy the former tobacco factory, becoming an international center for comics, animation, gaming, research, and education.
American creativity is central to this year's celebrations. Legendary artist Frank Miller participated in a special event marking 40 years since his revolutionary contributions to superhero comics. Marvel writers Jonathan Hickman and Brian Michael Bendis are among the American talents featured.
Italian American actor Joe Manganiello, famous for True Blood and Magic Mike, returned as special curator of the Dungeons & Dragons program, bringing together internationally renowned fantasy creators.
The festival's international visibility also expanded through I Love Lucca Comics & Games, a documentary directed by Manlio Castagna that premiered on HBO Max on September 17.
Meanwhile, LEGO inaugurated a time capsule on October 29, designed to remain sealed until 2086 – the festival's 120th anniversary.
Another remarkable transatlantic story involved Matty, a 12-year-old from Lucca who traveled to San Francisco in August to compete in the Pokémon World Championships after winning an Italian regional tournament.
From American comic book legends to Hollywood stars, streaming platforms, and young international competitors, Lucca's diamond anniversary demonstrates how 60 years of Italian imagination have created lasting cultural connections across the Atlantic.
