Shockdom Launches Humor Comic Magazine Shonen Ciao During Pandemic

Italian publisher Shockdom has launched Shonen Ciao, a new quarterly comic magazine coordinated by popular cartoonist Sio (director of Scottecs Megazine). Each issue features six illustrated stories by Italian artists Eleonora Bruni, Ilaria Catalani, Dado, Daw, The Sparker, and Chiara Zuliani. The magazine addresses contemporary youth issues such as fear, acceptance of diversity, gender equality, and parent-child relationships through humor. Sio selected the artists, provides cover art (colored by Elia Bisogno), and contributes a one-page comic editorial and a closing story. The magazine targets no specific age or gender, blending the titles of Japanese shonen and shojo magazines. Early feedback from comic shops and online has been positive, with sales approaching those of Scottecs Megazine. Sio believes the comic market in Italy is expanding, citing the success of Marvel films and the growing presence of comics in bestseller lists.