A new co(s)mic adventure starring ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano
After his comic book debut in 2019, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano is once again stepping into the shoes of a sci-fi hero, alongside Nathan Never, a popular character of Sergio Bonelli Editore. Parmitano unveiled his latest “co(s)mic” adventure at the recent Cosmic Synergies event, held at Milan’s Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia.
Parmitano shared the stage with Hugo Simões, ESA’s Head of Publications and Merchandising, as well as key members of the Bonelli creative team: Antonio Serra, co-creator of Nathan Never; writer Bepi Vigna; series illustrator Sergio Giardo; and Bonelli’s Editor-in-Chief, Luca Del Savio. The panel session was moderated by Emilio Cozzi, journalist and writer for Wired and Sky TG24.
As part of an exciting lineup of activities during the week of the 75th International Astronautical Congress, the panel session offered an unforgettable experience for space enthusiasts, sci-fi comic book fans, and more.
A successful collaboration between ESA and Sergio Bonelli Editore
The comic book continues the successful collaboration between ESA and Sergio Bonelli Editore that kicked off in 2019, when Parmitano debuted in a special volume titled ‘International Space Station’, featuring a thrilling storyline set aboard the orbital outpost.
Four years later, Luca and Nathan meet again as the protagonists of a new adventure ‘…La terra si frantuma!’. Throughout its pages, space exploration returns to collide with creative storytelling, offering a new exciting crossover between real-world and sci-fi ‘heroes’. For this edition, Parmitano also took on the role of co-author, working closely with the Bonelli’s team. Set in a future where Earth is on the brink of destruction, the new story is a testament to the ongoing synergy between science and science fiction, with Parmitano lending both his expertise and his imagination to the project.
Fede’s SpaceToon – Episode II
Parmitano not only appears alongside Bonelli’s character, but he is also featured in Fede’s SpaceToon, a comic book created by Federico Badessi, a young autistic graphic designer and comic illustrator working at EJR-Quartz for ESA in ESRIN.
At the Cosmic Synergies event, Federico had the unique opportunity to introduce himself to the public in a dynamic format: a short animation. Through an engaging hand-crafted video, which featured a cartoon version of himself, Federico introduced his latest project, the second episode of the Fede’s SpaceToon saga. With his unique artistry, the presentation showcased not only his current artwork but also his exceptional perspective as an autistic artist, adding a unique element that brought depth and emotion to the event’s stellar lineup.
Published by Officina Animata, the first edition of Fede’s SpaceToon adventures was released in 2022. The second episode of Federico’s comic book once again stars ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, this time embarking on a mission to the Moon.
More about ‘...la Terra si frantuma!’
For more information, you can visit Nathan Never’s official Facebook page or Sergio Bonelli Editore's website. Watch the ‘… La Terra si frantuma’ trailer here: Cosmic Synergies Trailer.
More about the Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia
Cosmic Synergies was be held at the Auditorium of the Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia (MUST) ‘Leonardo Da Vinci’, renowned for its dedication to preserving the history of modern astronomy and space exploration. In the Space section, visitors can view exceptional artifacts, including the actual spacesuit worn in 2019 by ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano during his Beyond mission as commander of the International Space Station.
