Lawless Bound: Silvia Califano

By Richard Sheaf on April 25, 2026 • ( 0 )

Richard Sheaf chats with artist Silvia Califano about her upcoming debut appearance at Lawless, alongside a host of comic creators that include Doug Braithwaite, Glenn Fabry, Sam Hart, Liam Sharp, John Wagner and many others…

Silvia Califano was born in Rome in 1984. After graduating from Liceo Classico, she continued his studies at the University of Rome La Sapienza and at the International School of Comics. In 2009, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Literature, Music and Entertainment, he began his career in comics collaborating with Aurea Editoriale, making short stories for Skorpio and Lanciostory, written by Lorenzo Bartoli.

Between 2010 to 2011 she drew three issues of the fourth season of John Doe, again for Aurea Editoriale, and then landed at Sergio Bonelli Editore in 2012, working on the Dampyr newspaper. In the same year, she began collaborating with American publisher IDW, on The X-Files.

Silvia’s third and final Dampyr to date was released on Italian newsstands, then in 2020 she worked for the Audace line of Bonelli on the series Il Confine, appearing in some volumes. From 2024, she officially became a regular artist on Dylan Dog.

*Dylan Dog art by Silvia Califano (2025)*

*Art by Silvia Califano for Sanjulian’s Queens of the Lost World #1 (2022)*

Silvia has continued to work for the US since 2018, on Star Trek, and Judge Dredd (IDW) and Elvira (Dynamite). She has been working on strips for 2000AD publisher Rebellion since 2021, including “Judge Dredd”, “Rogue Trooper” and “Judge Anderson”.

Silvia, You’ve not been to Lawless before – what have you heard about it as convention? What are you expecting?

Yes, It’s my first time at Lawless! It immediately intrigued me, because I’ve attended smaller, more specific conventions in the past, and they’re usually more fun and “familiar” than the gigantic, somewhat uniform ComiCons. If we’re talking about events dedicated mainly to local comics, it’s even better.

It’s a bit like travelling: it’s one thing if you go to a chain restaurant recommended by the world’s best-selling guide in a new country, but it’s another thing if a local invites you to dinner at their house. That’s the real deal.

How did you go about securing an invitation to Lawless? Did you reach out to organiser Su Hadrell to pitch yourself as an attendee, or did she get in touch with you directly?

For this, I have to thank Lee Milmore! We were sitting at nearby tables in the 2000AD hall at the Thought Bubble and I was just telling him I’d heard about Lawless. He immediately offered to talk to Su about my interest, and Su was super kind and got back to me.

Judge Dredd Hater" Part Two art by Silvia Califano for 2000AD Prog 2404 — *Judge Dredd Hater” Part Two art by Silvia Califano for 2000AD Prog 2404*

There’s a strong 2000AD influence at Lawless – were you a 2000AD reader as child? Or did you come to it later in life?

I didn’t discover 2000AD early because it’s not regularly published in Italy. I had memories of a few pages of Dredd, and asked everyone in the industry if it had ever been published in any form. I thought I was chasing a ghost until, while dismantling the comics bookcase at my parents’ house, I found a special issue dedicated to Judge Dredd published by Play Press in 1991. I think four more came out, perhaps to coincide with the film’s release. I remember liking that one a lot as a kid. I had to wait until my first trip to London, around 2008, for my first small stash of volumes.

If you have one…who’s your favourite 2000AD character (and why)?

I’m currently rekindling my love for Judge Anderson. I’ve been re-reading some of the volumes to prepare for the pages written by Alex De Campi, and you know how it happens sometimes. The right comic at the right time… Cassandra is a character I’m enjoying keeping in mind right now. It’s a beautiful balancing act between brutality and empathy.

Judge Anderson and Judge Dredd by Silvia Califano

Judge Anderson by Alex de Campi and Silvia Califano

For Rebellion you’ve worked on Judge Dredd – are there other strips you’d like to work on?

Obviously working on Judge Anderson and Dredd again, although I’m currently having a blast working on Venus Bluegenes.

Venus Bluegenes sketches by Silvano Califano — *Venus Bluegenes art by Silvano Califano*

Venus Bluegenes by Silvano Califano — *Venus Bluegenes art by Silvano Califano*

Are there other guests who you’re particularly looking forward to seeing at Lawless and, if so, why?

I don’t even have the courage to re-read the guest list before I hit the road because of how many mind-blowing artists there will be. The only thing I hope I can manage is to keep a poker face enough not to look like a 13-year-old fan at her first convention.

What can folks expect to find on your Lawless table? Sketches? Prints? Original art? Comics?

Yes, I will bring the original pages I still have from the work on Judge Dredd, Judge Anderson and Rogue Trooper and then other drawings, sketchbook and all the tools of the trade!

What projects are you currently working on? Anything that folks might get a sneak peak of at Lawless?

I’m currently working on Venus Bluegenes with a wonderful script by Torunn Grønbekk. I’m working digitally right now and I don’t know if I can show much yet…

*Judge Death and Judge Anderson by Silvia Califano*

Where can people find you on the internet?

Facebook and Instagram, because I’m too lazy to make a website.

If there’s anything else you want to mention then please just do so.

I hope to see you at Lawless and at the panels I’ll be participating in with my wonderful pronunciation… I should have studied English better! Hahahahah!

Silvia, thank you for talking to us. Enjoy Lawless!

• Follow Silvia Califano on Facebook

• Follow Silvia Califano on Instagram

• Silvia Califano Linktree

• Lawless Comic Convention 9th – 10th May 2026 Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Bristol, BS1 6NJ | Tickets for 2026 are on sale | Web: lawlesscomiccon.co.uk