From June 5 to 7, 2026, Cortona transforms into a vibrant stage dedicated to comics, gaming, and imagination. The historic town center hosts a new edition of Cortona Comics—the most ambitious yet—built around the theme of “Secret Identities.” This concept runs throughout the entire event, inviting visitors to explore, even if just for a day, different versions of themselves.
The 2026 edition unfolds through three main dimensions. The first is represented by the exhibition “The Origins of PK – Paperinik New Adventures,” curated by Creative Director Max Monteduro, celebrating the thirty-year legacy of one of the most innovative publications in Italian Disney comics. Through sketches, color tests, and previously unseen materials, the exhibition reveals the creative process behind a now-iconic narrative universe.
The second dimension is performative, embodied by TonyPitony—an enigmatic artist who appears on stage wearing a mask inspired by Elvis Presley. As a singer and performer, he builds his artistic identity around the idea of the alter ego, delivering a show that blends music, stage presence, and provocation.
The third dimension is the audience itself. Visitors, cosplayers, families, and enthusiasts become an integral part of the event, contributing to a participatory atmosphere where everyone can choose how to represent themselves.
Cortona Comics is designed for all ages. Younger visitors can take part in workshops and creative activities in dedicated spaces, while adults can explore exhibitions, meet authors, and attend talks and in-depth sessions.
For younger audiences, one of the main highlights is the Cortona Battle Arena—an eSports area featuring competitions hosted by professional casters. Alongside this, a structured educational program offers workshops in manga, comics, and storytelling, led by instructors from institutions such as the European Manga Academy of Volterra, the Siena School of Comics and Writing, and TheSign Academy in Florence.
An important role is also played by the “Cortona a Fumetti” project, a three-year educational initiative involving local schools. Students have transformed the history of their territory into a comic narrative, with the first volume presented during the event and original artwork exhibited at the MAEC – Museum of Etruscan Art and Culture.
Among the exhibitions, a standout is the one dedicated to “Il Gran Cacabul” by Massimiliano Frezzato, featuring previously unseen artwork from a work that blends fairy-tale elements with existential reflection. The program is further enriched by panels, talks, masterclasses, and workshops with both Italian and international artists.
The Cloister of Sant’Agostino hosts the Artist Alley, where illustrators and comic artists—both established and emerging—work live, meet the public, and take part in signing sessions. Around this core, a large exhibition and commercial area extends through the main squares of the historic center, with stands dedicated to comics, merchandise, games, and independent productions.
One of the most anticipated moments is the cosplay parade, open to participants of all ages. The streets of Cortona become an open-air stage where creativity takes center stage. The final contest पुरस्कार the most original costumes, while the presence of professional cosplayers offers visitors unique photo opportunities.
Cortona Comics once again confirms itself as an event capable of combining entertainment, education, and participation, while enhancing the historical and cultural heritage of the city.