The Italian convention Lucca Comics & Games revealed the “meta-poster” for its 60th anniversary during a press conference held on June 23 at the Uffizi Galleries art museum in Florence, Italy. The official piece of art, made by Italian artist Claudio Castellini, follows the convention’s theme for this year’s edition: legacy.
The theme represents Lucca Comics & Games’ heritage, as the festival has grown in activities, visitors, and guests over the past six decades. With such a long history, Lucca Comics & Games and Claudio Castellini opted for a new approach: the meta-poster.
The illustration is the first and only “meta-poster” in Lucca Comics & Games’ history. The expression originates from the inclusion of symbolism, references, and Easter eggs from the convention’s previous visuals.
Among the artists and characters referenced in the meta-poster are Zerocalcare’s golden heroine “Lu”, Don Maitz’s “Sandokan”, Phil Hale’s gorilla with a robot, Ted Nasmith’s Lady Hope, and Ciruelo’s dragon. Finally, supported by a giant superhero, the central figure of the meta-poster is a little girl: the luminous protagonist of artist Michael Whelan’s poster. She raises her pencil as the one who will draw what comes next.
Marvel’s Italian Invasion
The author of the meta-poster is Claudio Castellini, a comic book artist who was the first Italian artist to work from his own country for Marvel Comics US in 1993. Castellini won the Yellow Kid Award—Italy’s most important comic book distinction—thanks to his work for the Silver Surfer graphic novel Dangerous Artifacts. His works include illustrations for Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, Conan the Barbarian, Batman: Gotham Knights and Wolverine the End.
In recognition of his contributions, Lucca Comics & Games will hold an exhibition of his works titled Masterstrokes in the Fondazione Banca del Monte (Lucca, Italy). The exhibit will showcase Castellini’s career: from his beginnings at the Italian publisher Sergio Bonelli Editore for the comic book series Nathan Never and Dylan Dog, to his works for Marvel and DC Comics, including the legendary Marvel vs. DC crossover (1996).
The First Video Game
During the press conference, Lucca Comics & Games announced its first official video game titled Luke & Clea – A Quest for Legacy. The project will feature the journey through the fantastic multiverse of Lucca Comics & Games in an 8-bit pixel style—a tribute to the 80s arcade gaming culture.
The idea for the video game was conceived by Emanuele Vietina (the festival’s director), Francesco Bonturi and Sergio Algozzino. The staff also includes Manuel Macchia (Game Director and Game Design), Andrea Tognetti (programming, level design), Sergio Algozzino (visual, concept, sound design), Andrea Putortì (Lead Artist and Lead Animator), and Teo Benedetti (script/text). The music was created in collaboration with the Luigi Boccherini Conservatory of Music.
The video game will arrive on September 24—the exact day the festival originally began—and it will be playable via a mobile app. During the convention’s opening day on October 28, an unlocked level will be released.
If you want to be part of Lucca Comics & Games’s 60th anniversary, you can get early bird tickets on Friday July 24, from 01:00 pm to midnight (capped at 80,000 tickets). The regular sale will open on September 1.
Stay tuned to Anime Corner for updates about the convention’s confirmed guests and more!
Source: Press Release
Photos: Provided by Lucca Comics & Games staff.
Disclaimer: Anime Corner is a media partner for Lucca Comics & Games.
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