Vitercomix - Comics Festival

The Viterbo comics festival

Vitercomix is the comics festival of Viterbo, the capital of the Tuscia region in northern Lazio. Launched in 2018 with the stated ambition of making Viterbo a true city of comics, the festival brings together authors, publishers, illustrators, cosplayers, and fans of the ninth art for a weekend at the Valle Faul Cultural Centre, the former slaughterhouse renovated by the Carivit Foundation at the foot of the Duomo hill, just a stone's throw from the medieval San Pellegrino district.

The history: from local gamble to national network

The first edition, held on April 14-15, 2018, was born from the meeting between artistic director Marco Cannavò, creator Sergio Insogna, and association president Diego Lazzari, with the patronage of the Municipality of Viterbo and the Carivit Foundation. The stated goal of two thousand visitors was surpassed in the very first weekend, confirming that even a provincial city could carve out a place in the Italian comics scene. The second edition was held in April 2019, while the third, announced for June 2020, had to deal with pandemic restrictions. In 2021, an important milestone was reached: joining the Italian Comics Festival Network (RIFF), the national consortium that selects events based on the quality of their program and local roots, alongside names like ARF! in Rome.

What to find at Vitercomix

• Trade fair: stands from publishers, comic book shops, and retailers with graphic novels, gadgets, and original art;
• Artist alley and exhibitions: displays of original plates, from Disney and Looney Tunes classics to local talents from Tuscia;
• Meetings and masterclasses: drawing lessons with masters of Italian and international comics, conferences, and signing sessions;
• Cosplay: parade, photo sets, and contest with a final awards ceremony;
• Gaming area: tables for board games and role-playing games, with hundreds of titles available to the public;
• Shows and screenings: superhero-themed puppet theater, previews, and talks on genre cinema.

The guests who made the festival's history

In just a few editions, Vitercomix has brought top-tier names to Viterbo: Argentine master Horacio Altuna, Gigi Cavenago (cover artist for Dylan Dog), Fabio Civitelli (historic Tex illustrator), the comedy duo Lillo & Greg, and Francesco Barbieri (author for Disney and Looney Tunes), in addition to a large group of authors and illustrators from Tuscia.

Viterbo, Tuscia, and the ninth art

The festival is also a way to discover Viterbo, the City of Popes: the Valle Faul Cultural Centre is located right below the Palazzo dei Papi, and a visit to the festival is easily combined with a walk through the medieval historic center, one of the most extensive in Europe. The support of the Municipality of Viterbo and the ties to the province and the Lazio Region make Vitercomix a key part of the cultural life of Tuscia, alongside other comics-related events born in the area.

An event to follow

Vitercomix does not have a fixed calendar: editions have taken place in the spring, with summer side events in Piazza San Lorenzo as part of the Viterbo summer program. Dates and programs are announced from time to time on the festival's social media channels, which remain the most reliable point of reference for those who want to participate.