How is the name and image of a creative character protected?
Surely the patent is not the best solution to protect this type of creation. With reference to the fancy character, it is wise, for the moment, to deposit the design representing it as inedited work at the SIAE, and, once published, at the Council of Ministers.
The deposit at the SIAE gives more guarantees, as it gives the exclusivity of the use of your character whichever way it may be used, but, at the same time, it would be advisable depositing the entire text of the story to avoid possible plagiarism. Regarding the name it could be possible to opt for the registration of a trademark which would allow using, with the exclusivity, that name both as protection of the character and as protection of products and services such as stationery items and all other products/services of your own interest. Once filed these forms of protection, it would be possible to exploit the fame of your own story commercially even in an indirect manner without any risk of plagiarism.