The Angoulême International Comics Festival is in full swing, with a major Superman exhibition, a spotlight on Spanish women cartoonists and three dedicated manga showcases.
Now in its 52nd year, the four-day event celebrates the "ninth art" with nine major exhibitions, special guests, dozens of talks and a bustling publishing marketplace.
The festival officially kicked off on Wednesday with the Grand Prize going to French author Anouk Ricard.
The 54-year-old is only the fifth woman to receive the award since it was created in 1974. It is also the second consecutive year a female artist has won, following British writer Posy Simmonds in 2024.
"I’m definitely seeing more women authors and that’s a good thing," Ricard told the press, adding that she was "overjoyed" and "proud" to be chosen by her fellow cartoonists.
Ricard, who first made herself known in children's publishing with her series Anna and Froga, was in the running against fellow French author Catherine Meurisse and the American Alison Bechdel, a key LGBTQ figure.
Britain's Posy Simmonds wins top prize at Angoulême Comics Festival
The super power of comics
One of this year’s biggest draws is Superman: The Hero with a Thousand and One Lives, running until 10 March. Created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster at the height of the rise of Nazism, the superhero's story reflects decades of social and political change in the United States.
"In an era where everything feels more sinister, it’s easier to promote Batman, who has a darker view of society," exhibition curator Yann Graf told AFP. But he insisted Superman is "more relevant than ever" amid social unrest and climate concerns.
The festival is also showcasing emerging talents and has a dedicated pavilion for school students, complete with its own awards.
For artistic director Marguerite Demoëte, the event’s success lies in its inclusivity. "It represents all genres of comics for all age groups," she said.
She noted that France’s comic book industry attracts readers from all backgrounds.
"There is no contradiction between the popular aspect and the literary aspect of these works," she told France 24.
Comics can tackle serious topics with satire and humour while bridging generational gaps. Demoëte pointed to Mortelle Adèle, a rebellious schoolgirl created by Antoine Dole, alias Mr Tan, as a book that has inspired many children to start reading.
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Olé Olé!
Spain is the guest country of honour this year, with its own pavilion and a focus on Spanish authors, with the exhibition "Constellation Graphique".
The collection includes works of nine women avant-garde authors such as Barbara Alca, Marta Cartu and Roberta Vazquez.
Ernest Urtasun, the Spanish Minister of Culture present at Wednesday’s awards ceremony, welcomed the inclusion at the Angouleme festival as a “historic opportunity” for his country.
"Most countries look at Angoulême as the central point of dialogue around comics," he told AFP.
Emilio Gonzalo, general secretary of the Spanish Comic Sector told RFI’s Spanish service that many Spanish authors had made their mark in the competitive world of comics.
"Almost 200 Spanish authors currently work in the United States in the superhero market, both in Marvel and DC Comics," he said.
Japanese manga is also a major feature this year, with three key exhibitions.
Vinland Saga: A Quest for Identity explores Makoto Yukimura’s cult series from the 1990s, while Gou Tanabe X H.P. Lovecraft: Hallucinated Visions dives into cosmic horror.
The third exhibit, Kamome Shirahama’s Sorcerer’s Workshop, showcases the enchanting universe of the Witch Hat Atelier creator.
