Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – From the packaging of his iconic fish sticks to the world of illustrated stories: Captain Findus sets sail on a new adventure and becomes the protagonist of his first official comic, 'Capitan Findus – Il tesoro dell'aquila', previewed at Lucca Comics & Games 2026. This is a new chapter for the hero of the seas who has been a constant companion to Italian families for generations and who, thanks to the collaboration between Findus, the leader in the frozen food market in Italy, and the International School of Comics, continues to explore new languages and creative territories, also reaching out to new generations.
The comic is by Matteo Montanari, born in 1995, a talented young artist who won the brand's contest inviting young cartoonists to reinterpret the famous character through original illustrated stories. During the event, 1.000 copies of the limited-edition publication will be distributed, featuring an exclusive cover designed by Giuseppe Camuncoli, cartoonist and Artistic Director of the International School of Comics in Reggio Emilia.
The comic will then be published together with Panini during 2027, bringing the adventures of Captain Findus to an even wider audience.
The comic's debut was celebrated on Thursday, October 29, in the prestigious setting of Lucca Comics & Games 2026, with 'Un'occasione d'oro', a special show performed on the stage of the Teatro San Girolamo and starring Maurizio Merluzzo, voice actor, actor, and content creator.
A lifelong fan of Captain Findus, Merluzzo brought a hilarious comedy sketch to the stage, centered around his long-held dream of playing the Captain, culminating in a live meeting with his idol. Cartoonist Giuseppe Camuncoli and Alessandro Solazzi, Cluster Marketing Director Southern Europe at Findus, also participated in the event, recounting the creative journey that led to the comic, revealing to the audience the new adventure of Captain Findus. This entertaining moment blended spectacle and pop culture, celebrating the latest chapter in the Captain's adventures.
The comic's debut represents the evolution of a project launched in 2024, when Findus, in collaboration with the International School of Comics, launched a creative contest involving 30 young comic artists, who were asked to reinterpret the world of Captain Findus through original comic strips. The works of the five finalists were reproduced on the limited-edition packaging of Findus Fish Sticks and submitted to a consumer vote, inviting consumers to choose their favorite interpretation of the Captain. The audience was captivated by Matteo Montanari, who won an award at Lucca Comics & Games 2025, during Findus's first participation in the event. A year later, the project takes another step forward: from the first comic strips on the packaging, an original story is born, featuring Captain Findus as the protagonist of an entire narrative universe.
"Captain Findus is much more than a character: he is an icon that has captured the imagination of entire generations, capable of reinventing himself while maintaining intact the values such as a spirit of adventure, courage, and imagination that make him so recognizable and beloved," said Alessandro Solazzi, Cluster Marketing Director for Southern Europe at Findus. "Together with the International School of Comics, we wanted to give a new dimension to this narrative universe, entrusting it to the creativity and vision of young talents. The Captain's first official comic represents the tangible result of this journey: a project born from a contest, grown through public engagement, and now a fully-fledged publication. Returning to Lucca Comics & Games this year to present it means celebrating not only a new adventure for the Captain, but also the ability of an iconic character to continue to speak to different audiences and generations through ever-new languages." At the heart of the project is also the desire to promote emerging comics talent, offering them the opportunity to engage with an iconic character and see their ideas come to life beyond the pages of a contest. "The collaboration with Findus was born from the desire to offer young cartoonists a concrete opportunity to test their creativity, engaging with a well-known and beloved character and facing the challenge of creating original stories. Seeing the work of Matteo Montanari, one of our School's talents, transformed into a full-fledged comic, presented at a prestigious event like Lucca Comics & Games and destined for publication by Panini, is a great satisfaction. This result demonstrates the importance of offering aspiring authors opportunities to express their talent," added Giuseppe Camuncoli, cartoonist and Artistic Director of the International School of Comics of Reggio Emilia.
The comic book 'Captain Findus – The Eagle's Treasure' takes readers aboard the Captain's sailing ship, along with a young crew ready to follow him on a new, thrilling adventure. On the trail of a mysterious giant eagle, Captain Findus and his companions will journey through unexplored forests and the ruins of an ancient golden city, facing dangers and uncovering forgotten secrets. A journey full of twists and turns, combining the allure of a treasure hunt with the values of friendship, teamwork, and respect for nature. "There are stories and characters that span generations, becoming part of the memories and passions of millions of people. Panini and Captain Findus share this extraordinary legacy, and it's a source of great pride for us to be able to celebrate it through new projects. Our Partnerships & Promotions division was created precisely to build original collaborations that bring these passions to life through collecting, publishing, and entertainment. After sharing an initial adventure in the world of collectibles, we are thrilled to continue this journey together with Findus, creating a comic that takes the Captain to new horizons," commented Simone Fenu, Director of Panini Partnerships & Promotions.
The launch of the Captain's comic book marks the highlight of an even more extensive Findus presence at Lucca Comics & Games, scheduled to run until November 1, 2026. Throughout the event, the brand will welcome visitors to a dedicated stand along the walls of Lucca, offering a variety of activities for all fans. Among the activities is a treasure hunt inviting participants to explore the event by following clues from a special logbook. There will also be a prize-winning challenge, a photo booth, and an area dedicated to the Captain's history and evolution. Next to the stand, a food truck will offer Findus Fingers, along with some of the brand's most iconic fish products. There will also be opportunities to meet and greet with key figures from the world of comics and entertainment: on Friday, October 30th, there will be a meet & greet with Maurizio Merluzzo and Captain Findus, for photos and conversations with fans, while on Saturday, October 31st, the young artists from the International School of Comics will return with new live drawing sessions. The 1.000 limited-edition copies of the comic will be distributed free of charge during dedicated events, while supplies last. Captain Findus's new features don't stop at the comics world. The iconic Findus Fingers are also getting a makeover, featuring a new, even more golden and crispy coating. The competition, "The Captain's Treasure Hunt," runs until February 28, 2027. The initiative invites consumers to find one of five golden Fingers hidden in promotional packs, each of which offers a chance to win a €5.000 voucher, according to the rules. For more information, please visit www.leavventuredelcapitano.it.
crop
webinfo@adnkronos.com (Web Info)