Lucca Comics & Games 2017: Heroes Theme and 20 Exhibitions

Francesco Caredio, president of Lucca Crea Srl, discusses the 2017 edition of Lucca Comics & Games, running until November 5 in Lucca, Italy. The event, which began in 1966 as the Salone Internazionale dei Comics, has grown into Europe's largest community event, now encompassing the entire entertainment industry including publishing, gaming, broadcasters, and film distribution. The 2017 edition is themed around heroes, inspired by the success of the 50th edition. Caredio emphasizes that the true heroes are the attendees, who transform the historic center into a global, peaceful spectacle. The festival features 20 exhibitions dedicated to comics, illustration, fantasy art, gaming, and game art. Notable guests include Robert Kirkman (creator of The Walking Dead), Raina Telgemeier, Taiyo Matsumoto, Tite Kubo (author of Bleach), the casts of Stranger Things and Star Trek: Discovery, Timothy Zahn (Star Wars novelist), Sarah Wilkinson (Star Wars card game designer), Heather Theurer, John Howe (Tolkien artist), and Cristina D'Avena in concert with Gem Boy. The event is organized by Lucca Crea Srl and is described as Italy's only event where the public, not the press, is the protagonist.