Lake Como Comics Art Festival 2025: Elite Comics Artists Gather At Historic Villa Erba
by Tom Smithyman
Comic book conventions are held in a mix of locations around the world. From convention centers to libraries to community centers to barns – and in locations as far flung as San Deigo; Ghent, Belgium; Harrogate, England, Napanee, Canada; Vilnius, Lithuania, Adelaide, Australia; and Astana, Kazakhstan – there is no escaping these wild weekends.
Despite the ubiquity of these cons, the Lake Como Comic Art Festival continues to stand out each year. First, of course, is because of its location. Anything set in quaint Cernobbio, on the shores of the northern Italian lake, will feel special. Throw in the 19th century Villa Erba – which was used in Ocean’s Twelve and a Gwen Stefani music video – and you have the perfect location to rub elbows with comics elite.
Those artists, of course, are the real reason why collectors flock to LCCAF annually. Over the years, the festival has hosted a number of comics legends, and the 2025 edition is no exception.
Headlining this year’s installment are J. Scott Campbell, Bill Sienkiewicz, Frank Quitely, John Romita Jr., Stan Sakai, Tula Lotay, and Travis Charest. They are joined by perennial guests including Frank Cho, Gabriel Dell’Otto, Esad Ribic, Enrico Marini, and others.
Each of the artists will be drawing during the two-day event, giving attendees the chance to snag a grail piece for their collections. But given the relatively small number of attendees – just a few hundred compared to over 60 artists – the real beauty of LCCAF is accessibility.
In the con’s first year, I was able to sit down at Greg Capullo’s table and talk to him about Batman, art, and just about anything else. Imagine trying to do that at New York Comic Con or in San Diego. A VIP reception on Friday evening before the show starts gives con-goers the chance to drink with their favorite illustrators.
Unlike many cons, LCCAF is light on panels. There are a few – including David Mack showing off his murals from the recently aired Daredevil: Born Again to the European premiere of the Kingdom Come documentary – but the focus is really on art and artists.
In fact, writers may attend but not exhibit, so you won’t find Scott Snyder or Brian Michael Bendis signing autographs at a booth. (Jeph Loeb has made an appearance in the past though it was more for networking with the artists.)
You also won’t find much in the way of swag at this con. There is a high-end portfolio featuring artwork from several of the artists. And there’s even an exclusive Vampirella cover designed by Mark Raats. But that’s about it. If you are looking for tchotchkes, go to San Diego.
Comicon.com will be in Cernobbio for the swanky reception (look for pictures this weekend), and will talk to some of the artists so you feel like you’re vacationing on Lake Como’s shores. Just don’t expect us to share our art with you!
