Captain Findus becomes a comic, the first adventure debuts in Lucca Comics & Games

The debut of the comic was celebrated on Thursday 29 October, in the prestigious setting of Lucca Comics & Games 2026, with ‘A golden opportunity’, a special show staged on the stage of the San Girolamo Theater which featured Maurizio Merluzzo, voice actor, actor and content creator. Always a fan of Captain Findus, Merluzzo brought to the stage a funny comic sketch built around the dream, cultivated for years, of taking on the role of the Captain, up until the live meeting with his favorite. The cartoonist Giuseppe Camuncoli and Alessandro Solazzi, Cluster Marketing Director Southern Europe of Findus, also took part in the event, to tell the creative path that led to the birth of the comic, revealing to the public the new adventure of Captain Findus. A moment of entertainment that combined entertainment and pop imagery, celebrating the new chapter of the Captain’s adventures.

The debut of the comic represents the evolution of a project started in 2024, when Findus, in collaboration with the International School of Comics, launched a creative contest involving 30 young cartoonists, called to reinterpret the world of Captain Findus through original comic strips. The works of the five finalists were reproduced on the limited edition Findus Sticks packages and subjected to a vote by consumers, invited to choose their favorite interpretation of the Captain. The one who won over the public was Matteo Montanari, awarded at Lucca Comics & Games 2025, on the occasion of Findus’ first participation in the event. A year later, the project takes a further step forward: from the first comic strips on the packaging, an original story comes to life, with Captain Findus the protagonist of an entire narrative universe.

“Captain Findus is much more than a character: he is an icon that accompanies the imagination of entire generations, capable of renewing himself while maintaining intact values ​​such as the spirit of adventure, courage and imagination, which make him so recognizable and loved”, declared Alessandro Solazzi, Cluster Marketing Director Southern Europe of 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 gaze of young talents. The Captain’s first official comic represents the concrete result of this journey: a project born from a contest, which grew through the involvement of the public and has now become a real publication. Returning this year to Lucca Comics & Games 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 center of the project there is also the desire to enhance emerging comic talents, offering them the opportunity to interact 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, dealing with a known and loved character and with the challenge of building original stories. Today, seeing the work of Matteo Montanari, one of the talents of our School, transformed into a real comic, presented in a prestigious context such as Lucca Comics & Games and destined for publication with Panini, is a great satisfaction. A result that demonstrates how important it is to offer 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 ‘Captain Findus – The Eagle’s Treasure’ takes readers aboard the Captain’s sailing ship, together with a young crew ready to follow him on a new, exciting adventure. On the trail of a mysterious giant eagle, Captain Findus and his companions will travel through unexplored forests and the ruins of an ancient golden city, facing dangers and discovering forgotten secrets. A journey full of twists and turns, which intertwines the charm of the treasure hunt with the values ​​of friendship, teamwork and respect for nature. “There are stories and characters that cross generations, becoming part of the memories and passions of millions of people. Panini and Captain Findus share this extraordinary legacy, and it is 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, capable of giving shape to these passions through collecting, publishing and entertainment. After having shared a first adventure in the world of collectibles, we are thrilled to continue this journey together with Findus, giving life to a comic that takes the Captain towards new horizons”, commented Simone Fenu, Director of Panini Partnerships & Promotions.

The launch of the Captain’s comic represents the central moment of an even richer presence of Findus at Lucca Comics & Games, scheduled until November 1, 2026. For the entire duration of the event, the brand will welcome visitors to a dedicated stand along the walls of Lucca which offers many initiatives for all fans. Among the activities, a treasure hunt that invites participants to explore the event by following the clues in a special logbook. There will be a prize challenge, a photo booth and an area dedicated to the history and evolution of the Captain. Next to the stand, a food truck will also allow you to taste Findus Sticks, together with some of the most iconic products from the brand’s fish portfolio. There will also be space for meetings with the protagonists of the world of comics and entertainment: on Friday 30 October there will be a meet & greet with Maurizio Merluzzo and Captain Findus, for photos and meetings with fans, while on Saturday 31 October the young artists of the International School of Comics will return as protagonists with new live drawing sessions. The 1,000 copies of the limited edition of the comic will be distributed free of charge at dedicated events, while supplies last. The news about Captain Findus doesn’t stop at the world of comics. The iconic Findus Sticks are also renewed, with a new even more golden and crunchy breading, accompanied by the ‘Captain’s Treasure Hunt’ competition, active until 28 February 2027. The initiative invites consumers to find one of the five golden Sticks hidden in the promotional packages, each of which allows you to win a voucher worth 5,000 euros, according to the procedures established by the regulation. For further information you can consult the website www.leavventuraedelcapitano.it.