The proposal is simple: three days of comics, comics and more comics, for the 42nd time, in a room that is much more than a fair of novelties and signatures to become a cultural festival with conferences, round tables, masterclasses, concerts, exhibitions or cinema.
A good starting point for the show, in addition to visiting some of the 220 exhibitors who will be present, are the exhibitions. As it could not be otherwise, Comic Barcelona pays tribute to Mortadelo and Filemón’s father, Francisco Ibáñez, with an exhibition curated by Toni Guiral: Nuestro Ibáñez will bring together unpublished or little-known originals thanks to the participation of the deceased’s family and its publisher, but the readers themselves have also collaborated, and one of the sections will be an illustrated tribute from other comic authors.
Another exhibition is Bruixes-Sorginak-Brujas, in which around thirty authors such as Núria Tamarit, Cristina Durán, Genie Espinosa and Sandra Uve have created an “illustrated coven”, precisely the year in which the 600 years of the oldest witchcraft text are commemorated. of Europe – included in the ordinances of Valls d’Àneu –. The exhibition Blacksad: Work in progress will show the work methodology of the cartoonist Juanjo Guarnido and the screenwriter Juan Díaz Canales to carry out the adventures of his detective. The recovery of female heritage takes place in a double exhibition: Trini Tinturé, enchanter of vignettes reviews all of the illustrator’s work, while The Lost Generation vindicates colleagues such as Juanita Bañolas, Carme Barbará, Maria Barrera, Isabel Bas, María de los Ángeles Batllé or Purita Campos. There is also space for a Tribute to Mad Max, for the fantastic engravings of Tomás Jr. or for an exhibition dedicated to the transition from the comic to the screen, where they can be seen at the doors of L’ Auditori – renamed for the occasion as a hall of cinema–, some images about the birth and development of the films Robot dreams –by Pablo Berger based on the comic by Sara Varon– and La casa, based on the work of Paco Roca and directed by Álex Montoya, with sketches, stories -boards, art direction…
This year we wanted cinema to be one of the strong points, since in addition to these two films many others will be shown such as Heavies tendres, based on the work of Juanjo Sáez and directed by Joan Tomàs and Carlos Pérez-Reche, or They shot the pianist, by Fernando Trueba and Mariscal, both with a subsequent conversation. On Saturday, until midnight, there will also be a film marathon in collaboration with the Sitges Film Festival with some films such as The Raven –on the occasion of its 30th anniversary– or Humanist Vampire Seeks Suicide.
The new Utopia Zone section also stands out, which explores the relationships between literature and comics, especially with respect to science fiction and fantasy, but not only that, because, for example, during Saturday’s day they will talk about comics and football or the relationships between comics, rock and the underground or, Sunday, the universe of witchcraft.
The Comic Fantasy section will focus on board, role-playing, card and miniature games, with demonstrations, presentations and live games, and will celebrate 50 years since the appearance of Dungeons.
All this in addition to the round tables, signing sessions or question and answer sessions with the guest authors. International authors such as Posy Simmonds, Beto Hernández, Tanino Liberatore, Sana Takeda and Erik Kriek will pass, along with locals such as Paco Roca, Carla Berrocal, Juan Díaz Canales
There will also be a stage for comedians, dances and other activities, or the parades and cosplay contest –yes, the costumes–, not only the generic one on Sunday, but on May 4 –May the fourth– will be dedicated to Star Wars: it is the day of strength.
In addition to the activities open to visitors, this morning the VI Professional Conferences begin, in the afternoon there will be those dedicated to pedagogy and throughout the day there will be activities for schools.
Oh, and the awards, which will be made public this morning: best work of Spanish authorship, Miguel Gallardo award for best-known author, best work of foreign authorship, best fanzine, best children’s and youth comic, the Gran Premio Comic Barcelona and the Popular Vote for the best work published in Spain last year.
And if they still haven’t had enough, there are some samples beyond the salon. The Comic and Illustration Museum, in Sant Cugat, for example, dedicates an exhibition to the 85th anniversary of Batman and another to the career of Jordi Gosset Rubio (1933-2018). A few weeks ago, Longaron and Friday Foster were exhibited at the MNAC. The unexpected heroine, and the gallery LAB 36 (Trafalgar, 36) has just inaugurated ComicLAB 2024. Free graphics, curated by Juan Bufill, to claim the artistic aspect of comics with names such as Pere Joan, Isa Feu, Calpurnio, Olaf Ladousse, Ana Galvañ, Marc Torices, Fum and Conxita Herrero. And finally, in the Ignasi Iglésias-Can Fabra library (Segre, 14), the exhibition Behind the cartoon vindicates the figure of the screenwriter.
