RUFA Milan Launches New Comic Talk Series, Kicking Off with Francesco Poroli

Starting March 19, 2026, the Milan campus of RUFA – Rome University of Fine Arts will launch "We Talk about Comics," a new series of events dedicated to contemporary comics and illustration. The program, scheduled from March to May, will provide a platform for discussion among students, professionals, and the public, focusing on the languages, practices, and future perspectives of the industry. The aim is to offer new insights and opportunities for exchange in a constantly evolving field.

Curated by Claudio Spuri, coordinator of the Graphic Design – Comics and Illustration Bachelor's program, the series is part of RUFA's broader educational project. Its aim is to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world by fostering direct dialogue with authors and industry professionals. The events will take place at the RUFA campus in Piazzale Lugano 19, Milan, and will be open to the public by reservation.

The inaugural event, scheduled for Thursday, March 19, from 11 AM to 1 PM, will feature illustrator and art director Francesco Poroli, presenting his talk "Disegnini Ergo Sum" (I Draw, Therefore I Am). The session will be introduced and moderated by MARTOZ, an illustrator, cartoonist, and RUFA lecturer. Poroli's presentation will focus on the image's role as a communicative device, sharing insights from his professional journey and analyzing works created for international publications and brands. Over the years, he has collaborated with editorial entities such as The New York Times Magazine, Wired, GQ, and Il Sole 24 Ore, and developed projects for companies including Apple, Campari, NBA, and Lamborghini. A recipient of the Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators of New York, he is also the author of the book "Like Kobe – Il Mamba spiegato ai miei figli," published by Baldini+Castoldi.

The schedule continues on March 30 with Silvia Moras, who will address the topic of comics in relation to collecting, conservation, and musealization, prompting reflection on the institutional transformations of the "Ninth Art." April 29 will feature Chiara Riva, while on May 6, Francesco Jodice will delve into the relationship between the Marvel imaginary and counterculture. The series will conclude on May 20 with SnIF, focusing on the production dynamics and practices within the comic book industry.

Beyond the content, the project also emphasizes student training: the visual identity for the entire series was developed by Gabriele Gullifa, a student in the Graphic Design 2 course, coordinated by Paolo Buonaiuto.