Live: Children's comics exhibition

One of the exhibitions that I have forgotten to report about, probably because it's been in the major room of the festival all along, is the one showcasing all the contributions to the big competition to create new children's comics. There were 20 contributions, varying from traditional entertainment to more politically charged comics. Hopefully, some of these will be picked up by publishers and help further the market for children's comics in Sweden.

Live: Sharad Sharma

Today I have interviewed the Indian comics artist Sharad Sharma on stage about his work with the organisation World Comics India and the so called grassroots comics, that is teaching ordinary people to do comics relating to their own lives, thoughts and beliefs. A very interesting project which helps empower people who normally have no voice in the society.

Sharad is an enigmatic and energetic person and the organisation he runs is interesting on so many levels. I do hope we can invite him again to do more projects together.

Live: Joanna Hellgren

The third day of the festival is under way and right now Johannes Klenell (Galago) is on stage talking with Swedish artist Joanna Hellgren (Frances).

Live: Comics masquarade

OK, so I can quite obviously not capture this on my iPhone, but right now the big comics masquerade party is well under way and right now comics artists are battling it out with drawings on white t-shirts worn by Caroline Lund and Karin Westeman (managers of the festival).

A lot of people are wearing disguises inspired by comics. There's a whole bunch of Beagle Boys, two Majid, one two-foot, bearded Minnie Mouse (really scary...), one Marjane Satrapi (Punk is not ded!) and so on.

The DJ:s Batman and Robin are right now filling the dance floor and our international guest Zeina Abirached is dancing in a big witch's hat and Asterix just won one of the t-shirts with drawings on them....