COMICDOM CON ATHENS celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, and AKTO was there, actively participating in the major anniversary event held at Technopolis City of Athens (May 15-17). With a presence that highlighted the creativity, talent, and active involvement of the AKTO community, members of the student body, alumni, and members of our academic team left their distinct mark on Athens’ most significant comic convention.
>> AKTO Live Sketch Event
At the AKTO booth, first and second-year students of the BA (Hons) Comics & Cartoon university program drew live for the public. The Live Sketch Event transformed the creative process into an unforgettable experience for festival visitors, while also giving them the opportunity to get to know AKTO’s work and educational approach up close.
>> AKTO Alumni @Artists Alley
Our beloved AKTO Alumni once again flocked to the Artists Alley this year. 25 AKTO Alumni participated in the event, presenting their personal work and confirming their dynamic presence in the field of Comics and Illustration. Established creators, emerging talents, and new voices, all originating from AKTO, met in the most vibrant area of COMICDOM Con Athens, creating a unique connection point between the academic community and the contemporary creative scene.
Warm congratulations to Ioanna Agapitou, Anastasia Vasalou, Antzy/Angeliki Georgousopoulou, Maria Gyrihidis, Denny Giatras, Tilemachos Gonsales, Michalis Dialynas, Alex Eva, Mary Kalambalika, Periklis Koulifetis, Kelly Papadakis, Dimitra Nikolaidis, Nikos Boukouvalas, Nikos Bratos, Despina Pachi (Pinio), Thanasis Petrou, Vag. S, Marina Seferai, Konstantine Sklavenitis, Maria Tzampoura, George Tsardanidis, Konny Tsichlogianni, Chrysa Chartsas, George – Angelos Hatzigiannis, Anna Holak.
>> AKTO Workshops @Innovathens
Our participation in the Workshops program and the welcoming space of Innovathens is now a tradition. For another year, members of AKTO’s academic team conducted four different workshops, aimed at children and adults.
From creating mini comics and transforming a comic story into comics, to teaching human figure drawing and the relationship between painting and comics, the workshops highlighted different aspects of the creative process at AKTO, offering knowledge and unique opportunities for expression to participants. The AKTO instructors’ team consisted of: Mary Kalambalika [Comics Creator – Children’s Book Illustrator], Kostas Ananidas [Sculptor – Painter], Antonis Rallis [Art Historian] and the Director of the BA (Hons) Comics & Cartoon university program, George Botsos [Comics Creator, Visual Artist].
>> Greek Comics Awards (EL.VRA.KO)
The Greek Comics Awards (EL.VRA.KO) ceremony took place on May 15 at the “Miltiadis Evert” Amphitheater of Technopolis.
We are particularly proud of AKTO academic team member, Thanasis Petrou [Comics Creator] for the two Awards he received from the Hellenic Comics Academy: Best Original Screenplay Award and Long-Form Comic Award for his Graphic Novel “1941 Strictly Blackout”. A special moment was their presentation by Comics Veteran, David Lloyd (V for Vendetta), this year’s honored artist.
COMICDOM Con Athens celebrated its 20th anniversary by presenting a rich commemorative program, featuring international guests, international & Greek Comics exhibitions, the largest Artists Alley, workshops, portfolio reviews, publishing houses, talks, panels, interviews, guided tours, a cosplay contest, and awards.
The dynamic presence of the AKTO community at COMICDOM Con Athens 2026 reaffirms our long-standing relationship with the art of comics and our commitment to supporting creativity, education, and new creators.
