Manga-style Vikings, the greatest of superheroes, an Englishwoman on the continent, but also interactive exhibitions for the youngest, concerts and of course a slew of prizes, the Fauves, to distribute… No revolution for the 52nd edition of the Angoulême comics festival, which takes place from January 30 to February 2 in Charente. But a tempting program that goes far beyond the framework of Franco-Belgian comics.
“The festival has always had an international dimension, but this year more than ever. We continue to believe that culture is an essential factor in bringing citizens of the world together… This is why we welcome Spain this year as the guest of honor, and why Comics are making a big comeback with Superman, the superhero par excellence, and that we will present three manga exhibitions, bringing together originals that have never left Japan”, summarized Thursday, November 21, Franck Bondoux, the general director of Angoulême, after the press conference presenting the 2025 edition. What should we remember from it, beyond the main axes? The point in detail.
Superman and the Japanese in force
“Is it a bird?” Is it a plane? No, it’s Superman! » American myth, first superhero in the history of comics, the man in the red cape is finally entitled to a major exhibition at the festival (Vaisseau Moebius) which will explore “his deaths and his successive rebirths”, in a “great, spectacular scenography,” promised artistic director Marguerite Demoëte.
On the manga side, there will be plenty of choice with an exhibition on “Vinland saga”, by Makoto Yukimura and dedicated to the Vikings, another on “Sorcerers’ Workshop” by author Kamome Shirahama, and finally a tribute to the work of Gou Tanabe around “Lovecraft”. Crowned Grand Prix last year, the British Posy Simmonds will also be the star of one of the main exhibitions.
Manu Larcenet, Luz, Blutch, competing for gold
Each year, at the end, the festival awards its prizes, the Fauves, by category. If there are specific selections (Fauve polar SNCF, Fauve jeunesse, Fauve heritage, etc.), the supreme reward, the Fauve d’Or, prize for the best album of the year, is chosen from an “official selection” list including this year 44 albums.
There we find in particular “La Route” by Manu Larcenet, adaptation of the novel by Cormac McCarthy, “Les Indomptés” where Blutch revisits Lucky Luke or “Two girls naked” by Luz, on the story of a painting looted by the Nazis . Also note the presence of volume 3 of “Madeleine resistant”, co-written by Madeleine Riffaud, who died at the age of 100 on November 6.
Party evenings like in Bourges
This will be one of the big news this year. The Angoulême festival has entered into a partnership with Printemps de Bourges (Cher), to organize festive evenings and concerts during the four days. “We wanted to develop this festive dimension. As Printemps de Bourges succeeded in being European Capital of Culture in 2028, we entered into a 3-year partnership for events. For example, we would like to discover young musical talents, while also introducing young comic strip talents,” explains the festival boss. To add more charm to these evenings, night-time openings of the exhibitions are also scheduled.
Already two winners at the festival
As is tradition, two prizes have already been announced this Thursday, November 21: those of the two Goscinny prizes which reward a screenwriter. It was awarded to Serge Lehman, also a recognized novelist and critic, specialist in fantasy and science fiction, for “Les Navigateurs” a story between fantasy and thriller drawn by Stéphane De Caneva, where a group of friends go searching of a friend who recently passed away…
In 2018, he notably signed “The Scribbled Man” with Frederik Peeters. The young screenwriter prize goes to Elizabeth Holleville for “Contes de la mansarde” (with Iris Pouy), three macabre and fantastic stories under the roofs of Paris.
Rising prices
Soaring prices. Although there was a lot of talk about prices this Thursday, entry prices to the festival were not part of the official communication. It must be said that the subject makes one cringe a little… Compared to last year, the increase is 25%. At full price, the price of a day ticket increased to 23 euros on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and to 29 euros on Saturday. That is 5 euros more than last year. The four-day pass increases from 15 euros to 60 euros…
Increases justified by Franck Bondoux. “These increases are unfortunately necessary, if not vital. We have tried for years to contain the price of our tickets. But like everyone else, we are subject to inflation and the increase in many prices. I believe that this new price is only in line with those of comparable events, or even lower. I hope that the public will still be there because we offer a program of great density and great quality. »
Angoulême International Comics Festivalfrom January 30 to February 2, 2025.
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