COMICS: The exhibition of Sunday Pages that shaped the world of comics

COMICS — when comics conquered the world

The Galleria Civica "Vittorio Emanuele II" in Vittorio Veneto presents COMICS, when comics conquered the world, an exhibition showcasing the American Sunday Pages that helped form modern comic storytelling from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.

The exhibition is curated by Silvano Mezzavilla, a comics historian and festival curator. The opening is scheduled for April 30 at 18:00, with the curator and guest author Altan in attendance.

• Location: Galleria Civica "Vittorio Emanuele II", Viale della Vittoria 321, Vittorio Veneto
• Dates: from April 30 to June 28, 2026
• Opening hours (Fri–Sat–Sun):
  • 10:00–12:00 and 15:00–17:00 (until May 31)
  • 10:00–12:00 and 16:00–18:00 (from June 1)
• Tickets: full €5 / reduced €3 / residents reduced €1 (see the Gallery website for details and bookings)

What to expect

The exhibition brings together more than 60 original Sunday Pages — large-format, color-rich newspaper supplements — from historic titles such as The World, The New York Herald and Oakland Tribune. The display contrasts landmark characters like Yellow Kid, Buster Brown, Flash Gordon, Popeye, Blondie and Terry and the Pirates, and highlights lesser-known strips that were crucial to the medium's development.

Educational programme and guided visits

The Gallery offers a series of workshops and guided visits for schools, free of charge with reservation:

• Clouds of sound and colour – primary grades 1–2 (90 min): exploring onomatopoeia and speech balloons.
• From fairy tale to comic – primary grades 3–5 (90 min): turning classic tales into storyboards.
• Sunday Pages 2.0 – middle school (90 min): creating modern themes within historical layouts.
• The rhythm of comics – high school (60 min): guided tour on comic history and technique.

School participation is free with mandatory booking: [email protected] or +39 388 4741241.

Related events

The exhibition is part of the Festival Works programme and remains on view through the end of June. On May 7 illustrator Luca Salvagno will meet students in the morning and hold a public talk at 20:30 on "Making comics".

For practical details and reservations, consult the Gallery website or contact the organisers at the addresses above.