The 44th Comic Barcelona arrives at Fira Barcelona Montjuïc from May 15th to 17th with an edition packed with content, where comics coexist with film, television series, dubbing, K-pop, board games, and the webtoon phenomenon. For three days, the Fira becomes the main meeting point for the ninth art in Spain.
This year, the event reinforces its reputation as a major European cultural gathering with a very clear focus: the Asian pop art scene. Hong Kong and South Korea make their debut with their own programs, while the rest of the venue is filled with exhibitions, talks, live art concerts, children's workshops, game tournaments, and a long list of national and international artists.
Dates, location and theme of the 44th Comic Barcelona
The new edition of Comic Barcelona will take place from Friday, May 15th to Sunday, May 17th at the Montjuïc venue of Fira Barcelona, with the main entrance on Avenida Maria Cristina, next to Plaça d'Espanya. The schedule is spread throughout the day, with intensive periods of activity from morning until late afternoon/evening.
The central theme of this 44th Comic Barcelona is the Asian universe and its impact on pop culture . The organizers have designed an edition where manga, echoing Manga Barcelona , manhwa, webtoons, and new creative scenes from Hong Kong and South Korea have a prominent presence, both in the program of events and in the exhibitions.
Hong Kong is participating for the first time in a major Spanish comics convention with its own Hong Kong Pavilion , showcasing comics, live creative processes, and workshops by emerging artists. Meanwhile, South Korea is represented by KOCCA and the Korean Cultural Center with specialized sessions on webtoons, intellectual property expansion strategies, and Webtoon Academy activities.
In addition, the event will host the K-Pop Competition in Spain , organized by the Korean Cultural Center, which will select one of the teams to advance to the national final. K-pop is also integrated into other areas of the program, with dance sessions, random dance, and participatory activities throughout the weekend.
Programming by area: from Comic Stream to Comic Fantasy
The 44th Comic Barcelona program is spread across different themed areas that operate simultaneously. Each zone offers a different type of experience , from live podcasts to cosplay contests and board game sessions. The main activities in each area are summarized below.
Comic Stream: podcasts, live streams and Radio 3
The Comic Stream space focuses on the most audiovisual aspect of the event: live podcasts, interviews with authors, special public radio broadcasts, and talks about the industry and fandom.
Friday kicks off with the morning block "Bon dia, Comic Barcelona", followed by the Carne Friki podcast , a session dedicated to the magazine El Jueves with JL Martín and Igor Fernández, the presentation of the Japanimerama cycle together with the Filmoteca de Catalunya and various spaces in Catalan and Spanish.
That same day, one of the highlights will be the live broadcast of Radio 3's Territorio 9 from Comic Barcelona, starting at 15:00 PM. The program will celebrate the 44th edition of the event with top-tier guests: Javier Rodríguez (illustrator of Absolute Martian Manhunter and Eisner Award winner for Zatanna: Bring Down the House), Jorge Fornés (who will present his vision of Zorro with a script by Howard Chaykin), and Dunia Navinés , nominated for the Miguel Gallardo Award for Best New Author for Vicious Pop. The event's director, Meritxell Puig , will also be interviewed to discuss the key aspects of this year's edition.
Throughout the weekend, Comic Stream will host a packed schedule of specialized podcasts such as El Quiosc (Escuela Joso), Bookhunters, Narranació, Campamento Krypton, La Batcova or El Rincón de Hideo, as well as conversations with cartoonists under the umbrella of "Streaming de Dibujantes x Cómic Barcelona", where authors such as David Lafuente and David López will share their vision of making comics in an increasingly digital environment.
Comic Stage: contests, cosplay and fan culture
The Comic Stage is geared towards a wider audience and the more festive atmosphere of the convention. It combines contests, panel discussions about iconic sagas, cosplay activities, and live performances.
Among Friday's offerings are a continuous bodypainting session by Cazcarra Image School, a talk on humor linked to the Tolkien universe, presentations of comics such as Stolen Lessons , K-pop activities with the group Beat the Beat, and an AudioQuizz with prizes for the audience.
Saturday's entertainment takes center stage with SuperQuizz , a special edition of El Jueves focused on cartoons, a roundtable discussion on the fanfiction phenomenon, debates on the influence of The Lord of the Rings on different generations, new K-pop sessions, and Cosplay Parade Animation shows . A cosplay workshop will also be offered, where participants will learn to create a He-Man sword ; spaces are limited.
On Sunday, Comic Stage hosts the Cosplay Petit parade for children, a new workshop to make He-Man's sword, a cheeky gathering called "Muscles in Underwear," and educational spaces such as a talk on comic book translation by Berta Sarsanedas i Picas . The final stretch is reserved for the Cosplay Parade and the Cosplay Met Gala, which will close the stage with a strong presence from the cosplay community.
Comic Forum: interviews, roundtables and critical thinking
The Comic Forum serves as the heart of the convention's in-depth discussions. This space brings together author interviews, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions with prominent international guests.
On Friday, the forum will feature speakers such as Fernando Blanco , Stefano Casini , Bruno Duhamel , and Bianca Bagnarelli , along with a collective presentation of fanzines and the highly anticipated talk "Cebulski: Publishing at Marvel," where the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics will explain how new talent joins the publisher. There will also be sessions with key figures in the industry, such as Cati Baur and Danicollaterale.
Saturday's focus shifts to leading authors, with interviews with Félix Delep , Furillo, and Tommy Redolfi; a panel discussion with Sophie Castille Award nominees; the presentation of the Honorary Award from the Collective of Women Authors ; the awarding of the Lyon Grant to María Lobato; and Q&A sessions with screenwriters such as Deniz Camp and CB Cebulski. One of the key panels will address comics and mental health with Alix Garin and Elisabeth Karin.
Sunday's program focuses on conversations with Jade Khoo , Ken Niimura , Toni Benages, and representatives of the Premi Vinyeta Ficomic , as well as a dedicated space on diversity and eroticism in pop culture with Kinky Karrot and Giopota. This segment reinforces the festival's commitment to addressing social and creative issues from a pluralistic perspective.
Comic Univers: shows, webtoons and great masterclasses
The Comic Univers area combines family activities, stage performances, and high-profile sessions on comics and webtoons. The program includes animated concerts, superhero panels, and masterclasses with leading figures.
Among the family-friendly offerings are several performances of "Super Potato, the Musical ," a live-action concert designed for children that brings comics to life through live music. Also featured is the DUBBING SHOW hosted by Hermoti, accompanied by voice actor Dani García , who will revisit iconic roles such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Joker, and Jake Sully.
On the more specialized side, Comic Univers dedicates space to Superman vs. Spiderman with Panini Comics, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first major crossover between Marvel and DC characters, and panels such as "Super-Comics: the current state of an immortal genre" with leading authors of superhero comics.
Those interested in the webtoon phenomenon will find specific sessions such as "Webtoon Artist Debut Roadmap by Kenaz" and "Globalization of Webtoons and IP Expansion Strategies," coordinated by KOCCA Spain and moderated by Oriol Estrada. These activities analyze the origin of the format, its evolution, its global success, and the strategies for transforming digital stories into transmedia franchises.
The area also includes space for encounters with major European figures, such as Milo Manara's Masterclass , Q&A sessions with Shintaro Kago and Paco Roca, and a screening of an interview with Paco Roca as the winner of the Comic Barcelona Grand Prize, followed by a discussion with experts. The Comic Barcelona Awards ceremony , one of the highlights of the event, will take place on Friday evening .
Comic Kids, workshops and Escola Joso: talent and education
The 44th Comic Barcelona dedicates a significant portion of its program to children, teenagers, and schools . The Comic Kids – ComictEca area and the Comic Kids Workshop offer a program designed to introduce comics to new generations.
Comic Kids features activities such as comic book storytelling with authors like Chanti or Xavi d'Arkham, educational concerts by Educapop focused on songs from animated series, animated reading sessions, meet & greet with the creator Onachan and practical workshops with authors of children's series like Superpotato.
The Comic Kids Workshop offers a wide variety of creative activities: from illustrated masks ("WOW! Màscares ben sonades") to "Mini Comic: Step by Step" sessions with Natacha Bustos, workshops to color kawaii bags or activities taught by the Museu del Còmic i la Il·lustració.
Escola Joso , a leading center for comic book and illustration training, has its own dedicated space and a program geared towards secondary schools and students new to the field. Over the three days, there will be educational drawing competitions to create the protagonist for the Comic BCN poster, workshops such as "Bring Your Characters to Life" and "Funny Creatures," and a session specifically for schools on Friday morning.
This educational aspect is complemented by the Comic Academy Room , where editorial presentations, masterclasses by international authors, comic workshops applied to secondary education, and educational days that connect comics with teaching and cultural mediation are held.
Comic Fantasy: miniature games, dioramas and themed games
Beyond the comics, the Comic Fantasy area features an extensive program dedicated to strategy games, miniatures, and dioramas . Throughout the three days, the figure exhibition and the large diorama "The Last Alliance" remain open, along with ongoing demonstrations.
Activities include live Lord of the Rings (MESBG) games , demonstrations of games such as One Piece Nakama, Battlelore, King of Tokyo, Virus Marvel or Carnival of Sins, tournaments, macro battles such as Helm's Deep and miniature painting workshops grouped under the motto "Don't Look, PAINT!!"
There are also painting competitions focused on Tolkien's work, explanations of advanced techniques by associations such as VIII Legion and Amoncat, dynamic games of modern titles (Terraria, Isle of Cats, Wyrmspan, Unmatched, Dungeons & Dragons: The Fantastic Adventure) and prize-giving ceremonies at the end of each day.
The space has established itself as a meeting point for fans of wargaming, role-playing and model making , expanding the usual audience of the convention to other alternative leisure communities.
Featured exhibitions at the 44th Comic Barcelona
One of the great attractions of this edition is its extensive program of exhibitions , which combines retrospectives of authors, historical displays, educational projects and proposals of a social and technological nature.
Young female authors, graphic memory and experimentation
The 3rd Carnet Jove Comic Award , promoted by the Generalitat of Catalonia, presents the winning and finalist projects of its 2026 edition. The exhibition includes four finished pages from each proposal and focuses on emerging talent, with Sara Aguilar as the winner thanks to her project Sanguina , which will become a comic published by Norma Editorial.
The exhibition Atraccions (1982-1984) recaptures the spirit of a Barcelona fanzine that, at the height of the countercultural ferment, was distributed in bars and music shops in Gràcia. This project, linked to a research grant on Catalan graphic heritage, celebrates self-publishing, punk, and experimentation as driving forces of the local 1980s scene.
The Barcelona-Lyon Comic Grant 2026 has materialized in the exhibition "Entrañas" (Entrails), by María Lobato, which offers a glimpse into the creative process she developed during her stay in Lyon. The project tells the story of Ende, a young woman who returns to her childhood home and confronts family memories and strange phenomena linked to the forest, in an intimate, atmospheric, and symbolically rich work.
In the same vein of introspection is " Eating with Fear / Caring with Fear ," where author Elisabeth Karin uses the allegory of the monster Nore (anorexia) to narrate a biographical experience that is difficult to explain without the visual metaphor. This exhibition comes to the 44th Comic Barcelona in collaboration with Astronave and focuses on mental health, eating disorders, and caregiving.
The exhibition " From Conflict to Comic Strip ," created by students of Escola Joso as part of the MNAC's "Art, War, and Memory" program, offers a contemporary reflection on armed conflicts and repression. Through comics, it connects past and present , highlighting the importance of peace education and historical memory.
Tolkien, Korean culture and Paco Roca
To coincide with the 25th anniversary of the theatrical release of The Fellowship of the Ring , the convention is hosting the exhibition "The Lord of the Rings: An Epic Legacy ." The exhibition explores how J.R.R. Tolkien's work has influenced film, comics, role-playing games, and board games, and includes scale models of iconic elements from the film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson.
From South Korea comes " Clothed Icons: Wooh Nayoung's Korean Multiverse ," an exhibition focused on the illustrator Wooh Nayoung. Her works reinterpret globally recognized characters, such as Spider-Man and Thor, dressed in hanbok and placed in contexts specific to Korean culture. The exhibition, produced in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center in Spain, reflects on singularity and universality in an interconnected world.
The festival also pays a long-standing tribute to Paco Roca with the exhibition "Paco Roca's Stone Age, and What Came After." It showcases his early works, fanzines, advertising commissions, and other materials from his youth, rarely seen in retrospectives of established artists. The exhibition traces the evolution of his drawing style, his influences, and his perseverance in becoming one of the leading international figures in Spanish comics.
The itinerary is completed with a review of his best-known bibliography, from The Gloomy Game or Wrinkles to recent titles such as The Abyss of Oblivion , recalling awards such as the National Comic Award , the Eisner for best foreign work or the Goya for best adapted screenplay, as well as the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts.
Comic, Golden Age, AI and historical memory
The exhibition "The Best of the Golden Age ," promoted by the General Directorate of Books, Comics, and Reading of the Ministry of Culture, offers a visual journey through great literary works of the Spanish Golden Age reinterpreted in comic book form. Ken Niimura 's illustrations engage in dialogue with the informative texts of philologist Oriol Corcoll, establishing parallels between classics and contemporary creations to bring this heritage closer to new generations.
One of the most openly critical exhibitions is " AI Dehumanizes: Who Benefits? ", coordinated by the Collective of Women Comic Book Authors as a continuation of the StopIA Generative initiative. Using works by creators such as Flavita Banana, Ana Oncina, Natalia Velarde, and Sara Soler, the exhibition analyzes generative AI from the perspective of rights, authorship, and veracity , warning about the impact of these technologies on creative work.
Another highlight is the tribute to Paracuellos, by Carlos Giménez , a seminal work of Spanish comics first published in 1976. The exhibition commemorates the 50th anniversary of the series, which remains a reference point for its critical view of the post-war period and the Social Aid homes , and for the enduring relevance of its political and humanist denunciation.
Finally, the 15th Barcelona School Comic Competition exhibits the winning works from all categories of the contest aimed at educational centers, reinforcing the link between the event, the educational system and youth creativity.
Comic Barcelona Awards: a milestone for female authorship
The Comic Barcelona Awards have once again become one of the leading awards in the Spanish comics industry. In this 44th edition, the Best Work by a Spanish Author category marks a turning point: all five finalists are women, a first since the award's inception in 1988.
The list of nominees includes Emma Ríos for Anzuelo (Astiberri), Teresa Valero for Contrapaso: Mayores, con reparos (Norma), Ana Penyas for En vela (Salamandra Graphic), Natalia Velarde for Encías quemadas (Reservoir Books), and Irene Márquez for La muerte (Autsaider). Five different titles in tone, genre, and style that demonstrate the diversity and strength of women's work in contemporary Spanish comics.
For the competition's director, Meritxell Puig , this all-female sweep not only guarantees that the prize will be awarded to a female author for the first time, but also reflects "the significant changes that have taken place in the last ten years" regarding the presence of women in the profession. Puig emphasizes that, despite the progress, "there is still a long way to go," but believes that this type of recognition gives impetus to new generations and to veteran authors who have worked for years in the background.
At Friday's gala, the award for Best Work by a Foreign Author will also be presented , with nominations including The King Medusa. Volume 1 by Brecht Evens, Helen of Wyndhorn by Tom King, Bilquis Evely and Matheus Lopes, Impenetrable by Alix Garin, Somna by Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay and A Little Frog in Autumn by Linnea Sterte.
The Miguel Gallardo Award for Best New Author will also be announced , with nominees including Alicia García, Dunia Navinés, Genís Rigol, Júlia Rubau, and Natalia Velarde, who is also nominated for Best Spanish Work. The nominations paint a very dynamic picture of contemporary comics , with a strong presence of new voices and proposals that deviate from the traditional mainstream.
Guest authors: a star-studded lineup
The list of authors and guests at the 44th Comic Barcelona is especially extensive, surpassing that of the previous edition and combining established names with emerging talents from all over Europe and the Asian scene.
From the international scene, the presence of the Italian master Milo Manara , a central figure in contemporary European comics, stands out. He will offer a masterclass and present his graphic adaptation of The Name of the Rose . Joining him are authors such as Étienne Davodeau , a leading figure in French social comics, who will present works like Wherever You Go , and the Italian Bianca Bagnarelli , winner of awards in Lucca and Naples for her anthology Domestic Animals.
The lineup expands with creators such as Jade Khoo , who presents the first part of her diptych Earth or Moon ; Maybelline Skvortzoff , author of Roxane Sells Her Panties ; Giulio Macaione , with works recognized in Italy and France; or Tommy Redolfi , known for titles such as Rayban Dog or La Perspective Nevski.
The American and global scene is reinforced by the visit of CB Cebulski , editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, who will explain how the publisher attracts international talent, as well as by screenwriters such as Deniz Camp (20th Century Men, Absolute Martian Manhunter) and leading mainstream artists such as Álvaro Martínez Bueno , Carmen Carnero , Fernando Blanco , Fran Galán , Pere Pérez , Javi Fernández , Paolo Villanelli or Xermánico , all of them with recent series in Marvel, DC, Image or Boom! Studios.
On the Asian front, the presence is particularly notable thanks to artists from Hong Kong and Korea . Creators such as Bonnie Pang , Kwong Chi Kit , Linus Liu , Pen So , and Rex Koo will be exhibiting their work and offering workshops in the Hong Kong Pavilion. From Korea, illustrator Wooh Nayoung will present her project on iconic characters dressed in hanbok, reinforcing the connection with the exhibitions dedicated to Korean culture.
The list of national guests is equally extensive, with Spanish comic book illustratorsFigures such as Paco Roca, Ken Niimura, Natacha Bustos, Artur Laperla, Raquel Riba Rossy, Furillo, Toni Fejzula, Pere Pérez, Angel Unzueta, David López, David Lafuente o Javier Rodriguez, among many others, in addition to a powerful representation of emerging female authors, from María Lobato even the sisters Olivia and Clara Cabez.
Radio, dubbing, K-pop and other cross-curricular activities
Beyond the comics themselves, the 44th Comic Barcelona aims to integrate disciplines closely related to comics, such as dubbing, music, podcasts, and live fan culture. Radio 3 broadcasts, dubbing shows, and K-pop contests are now essential parts of the event's atmosphere.
Dubbing has a special presence, with guests like Masumi Mutsuda , the voice of He-Man in the character's new era, and Dani García , who has dubbed Brad Pitt, Ewan McGregor, and Will Smith. Alongside them, Hermoti participates in shows and events about voice work in film and animation, bringing a friendly and informal touch.
In the audio field, in addition to the aforementioned Territory 9 special , there are podcasts about film, horror, geek culture, European comics, Marvel fandom, audio storytelling or video games, consolidating Comic Stream as a platform for the dissemination of pop culture in audio and video format.
K -pop unfolds across various time slots with guided dance sessions, random dance, workshops, and the aforementioned official competition, part of the Korean Cultural Center's network of events. These offerings, combined with cosplay parades and Comic Fantasy activities, transform the convention into a large urban festival where multiple scenes converge.
How to get to and around Barcelona during the trade show
For those traveling from outside the city, getting to the Montjuïc venue is relatively easy. Comic Barcelona is located next to Plaça d'Espanya , a major public transport hub in Barcelona, well-connected by metro, bus, train, and special airport services.
By private transport, the main difficulty is parking , as much of the city is covered by paid blue and green zones until 20:00 PM. However, there are parking lots at varying prices, including one located directly opposite the fairgrounds, which can be a convenient option for those arriving by car.
From Barcelona-El Prat airport, located about 18 kilometers away, you can reach the city by metro (L9) , connecting with lines that lead to Plaza de España; the Rodalia R2 line with a stop in Sants; municipal buses (such as line 46, which connects directly to Plaza de España); the private Aerobús service, which also stops there, or taxi, with a minimum fare that includes a supplement for origin at the airport and luggage.
Those arriving by coach usually arrive at Estació del Nord, near the Arc de Triomf metro stop (L1), which connects directly to Plaça d'Espanya. Passengers arriving by train at Sants have direct access to the metro network within the station itself and can reach the city center in just a few minutes.
Once in the city, the most practical ways to get around are the metro and the bus , with a single unified ticket and the option of purchasing multi-person passes such as the T-casual for 10 trips (1 zone), which is sufficient if you don't leave the Barcelona metropolitan area. Combining lines 1 (red) and 3 (green) allows you to reach Plaça d'Espanya quickly.
In terms of security, Barcelona maintains a good network of emergency services , with key numbers such as 112 for general emergencies and 061 for medical emergencies. The Sants-Montjuïc area, where the event is held, has a presence of the Guardia Urbana (Barcelona's municipal police) and the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police), as well as several major hospitals in the city.
With this transport and security system, attendees can focus their attention on enjoying the program of the 44th Comic Barcelona , which combines cultural events, family leisure and professional meetings around comics, manga, webtoons and pop culture in all its variations.
