Dylan Dog turns 40, Rome celebrates with a horror show at the Eliseo.

It was September 26, 1986, when Tiziano Sclavi’s Nightmare Investigator first hit newsstands with Sergio Bonelli Editore’s Dawn of the Living Dead—written by Sclavi, illustrated by Angelo Stano, and featuring a cover by Claudio Villa—the first issue in a series that has since garnered millions of readers. Over the past forty years, Dylan Dog has explored horror without ever denying it, choosing instead to observe it, question it, and recount it. And it is precisely from this perspective that the underlying theme of the celebrations that will punctuate the coming months arises, culminating with Dylan Dog’s stage debut.

The Horror Show at the Eliseo

From October 28, 2026, the Dylan Dog Horror Show, directed by Valter Malosti, will be performed at the Eliseo Theater in Rome, the first theatrical production by Sergio Bonelli Editore, a major event that will bring the universe of the Nightmare Investigator to the theater for the first time. Special previews will take place starting October 22nd.

With this show, the Teatro Eliseo, closed since 2020, will resume its prestigious theatrical history “after a long silence,” under the artistic direction of Alessandro Longobardi for Viola Produzioni – CPT.

The Dylan Dog Horror Show will mark the 40th anniversary of Dylan Dog’s debut. The foyer of the Teatro Eliseo will be transformed for the occasion into a journey inspired by the universe created by Tiziano Sclavi, with installations, settings, and experiential activities designed to lead the audience into the imaginary world of the Nightmare Investigator, making the event a unique experience.

Spectators will not simply enter a theater, but will cross the threshold of the “House of Dylan Dog.” The run-up to the theatrical debut will be marked by a rich calendar of events that will accompany the celebrations for Dylan Dog’s 40th anniversary. The celebrations will kick off the week of the Nightmare Investigator’s official birthday, September 26, 2026, with special publications, events, and dedicated initiatives. Until the debut of Dylan Dog Horror Show, fans will have numerous opportunities to meet Dylan Dog through events throughout Italy, including bookstores, comic book stores, fairs, and other iconic locations for his reading community.

The calendar

The complete calendar of initiatives will be revealed in the coming months. “Bringing Dylan Dog to the theater for the first time on the occasion of his 40th anniversary,” says Michele Masiero, Editorial Director of Sergio Bonelli Editore, “is a source of great pride for us, and doing so at Rome’s Teatro Eliseo, which is being reborn for the occasion “After a Long Silence,” to quote an iconic play by Tiziano Sclavi, makes this transition even more significant.

It’s as if Dylan has found a new home, alive, open, ready to welcome audiences continuously. Dylan Dog is not an invincible hero: he fights, suffers, doubts, but he never lets himself be overwhelmed, thanks above all to the innate irony with which he observes the world. And this is why he remains, today more than ever, a precious friend, a voice of hope and irony. Because, as Dylan would say, if even just opening the door to your house is scary, unmasking the horror is already a first and excellent way to put it in difficulty.”

For Vincenzo Sarno, Head of Development at Sergio Bonelli Editore and Executive Producer of Bonelli Entertainment productions, “The theatrical debut of Dylan Dog marks a significant new milestone for Bonelli Entertainment. The mission of the entire development team at Sergio Bonelli Editore is to bring to life film, television, theater, and multimedia projects that showcase characters who have captivated generations of readers. On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, we are delighted to celebrate one of the publishing house’s greatest successes with a unique experience that once again demonstrates the extraordinary vitality and timeless appeal of the Nightmare Investigator.”

According to Alessandro Longobardi, Artistic Director of Viola Produzioni, “The reopening of the Teatro Eliseo, closed since 2020, represents an extraordinary opportunity that unites two Italian cultural heritages: the Eliseo, one of the symbolic places of Italian theater, marked by a noble tradition, and one of the most iconic characters in the world of comics, Dylan Dog, followed by millions of readers.

Umberto Eco among illustrious fans

Umberto Eco himself wrote: ‘I can read the Bible, Homer, and Dylan Dog for days without getting bored.’ Dylan Dog Horror Show will bring to the stage the encounter between the impossible and the possible, between darkness and rebirth, in the footsteps of the great Tiziano Sclavi. We want to thrill entire generations of Dylan Dog readers and attract many new spectators to the theater, allowing them to discover the magic of live performances.”