Crispiano Comix

Crispiano Comix: Comics and pop culture in the heart of Puglia

Founded in 2014, Crispiano Comix is the first summer festival dedicated to comics and pop culture in the province of Taranto. Each edition turns the town of Crispiano, in Puglia, into a vibrant hub for enthusiasts of comics, manga, animation, video games, tabletop and role-playing games, cosplay, and collectibles for one day.

A grassroots volunteer event

The festival is organized by the Circolo Arci-Uisp 'Mariella Leo' and is more than just a fair: it is a grassroots project built around the values of accessibility, inclusion, and culture. Each edition centers on a specific theme; the ninth edition in 2024 was dedicated to the concept of 'Inspire', an invitation to spark change through the everyday actions of ordinary people.

What to expect

A typical day at Crispiano Comix traditionally takes place at the ICS 'Francesco Severi' on Via Bari and includes:

• Artist alley with comic artists, illustrators, publishers, and collectors;
• Cosplay competitions for individuals, pairs, and groups, with evening awards ceremonies;
• Gaming area featuring video games, simulators, PC gaming, and retrogaming;
• Tabletop and role-playing games: Dungeons & Dragons, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh;
• Workshops on makeup, costume design, and live drawing;
• Special guests: artists, voice actors, YouTubers, and nerd-culture creators;
• Concerts featuring cover bands playing anime theme songs and soundtracks.

Recent editions

The 9th edition, held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, brought guests to Crispiano such as comic artist Luca Lamberti (Star Trek and Doctor Who for IDW and Titan Comics), voice actors Giulia Franceschetti and Manuel Meli, YouTuber Thomas Scalera, and various tribute bands, alongside an exhibition dedicated to Héctor Germán Oesterheld.

The planned 10th edition did not take place in 2025: the organizers had to temporarily suspend the festival due to a lack of indoor venues and funding difficulties. The only activity related to the Crispiano Comix brand in 2025 was a regional Yu-Gi-Oh tournament, hosted at the library on September 21.

The setting: Crispiano and the province of Taranto

Crispiano is a town in the province of Taranto, Puglia, known for its historic masserie (farmhouses) and the ravine landscape. Crispiano Comix represents one of the most iconic cultural events for the local youth, attracting audiences from across the entire Ionian province.