Italian cultural association Venezia Comics has announced an exhibition dedicated to comics artist Paolo Ongaro at its upcoming festival (1st–3rd May 2026). The exhibition, titled “Paolo Ongaro, il poeta dell’avventura” (“Paolo Ongaro: The Poet of Adventure”), will feature a range of his published work, with a focus on his series Spazio Chiama Atlantide. The event is organized in partnership with Storytelling Edizioni, which is also publishing the first volume of reprints of Ongaro’s stories. Ongaro, a recognized master of Italian comics born in Mestre in 1946, has worked for publishers such as Rizzoli, Mondadori, Disney, and Bonelli, and has drawn iconic characters including Tarzan, Diabolik, Mickey Mouse, and Martin Mystère. He will be present at the festival all three days for signings and chats.
This exhibition matters because it continues Venezia Comics’ mission to honor great Venetian comics masters, following retrospectives dedicated to Stelio Fenzo and Miro Missaglia. By spotlighting Paolo Ongaro’s extensive career—spanning Italian, French, and British markets, including his ongoing work for DC Thomson’s Commando series—the festival underscores the enduring legacy of Italian comic art and its international influence. The event also supports emerging talent through the Storytelling Comic School, which trains professionals in visual communication arts, linking heritage with future creativity.