The world’s comic elite arrived in Herceg Novi – six days of drawing, socializing, exhibitions, workshops and concerts at 16 locations
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Photo: Propela Media
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.News culture
04.09.2026. 11:15h
Herceg Novi is once again in the spotlight of the ninth art today – the jubilee, 20th Herceg Novi Comic Strip Festival (HSF) begins, an event that over the course of two decades has outgrown local and regional frameworks and become one of the most important meeting places for comic strip authors, audiences and art lovers in this part of Europe.
Over the next six days, more than 200 guests from around twenty countries will be part of the festival program that brings fan art, comic book fairs, workshops, presentations by local and international artists, exhibitions and a rich music program. This year’s HSF is held at 16 locations across Boka Kotorska, including Herceg Novi, Tivat and Risan, as well as the traditional location on Lovćen.
The grand opening is scheduled for tonight, September 4th at Bellavista, and the anniversary edition will be opened by one of the most important names in the contemporary European comics scene – the screenwriter of the cult “Alan Ford” Ricardo Secci.
The opening program begins at 20 p.m., and the audience can expect a blend of domestic creative energy and big names in world comics and music.
“We are facing the 20th edition of the most beloved festival in this region dedicated to the ninth art. That it is the most beloved, these are not my words, but those of these people who came yesterday, even from the United States of America, and have already fallen in love with our festival, our country and this city,” he said. Nebojsa Mandic, one of the organizers of HSF.
Tonight’s program will begin with a performance by Mjesna muzike Đenović, who will perform several songs specially adapted for this occasion. Two exhibitions will be opened in the Josip Bepo Benković Gallery – on the first floor, works by special guests of the festival, while on the second floor, works by young comic book authors from Montenegro will be presented.
The evening will continue at the Forte Mare fortress, where the local band NeoNoeN will perform first, followed by the cult rock band Partibrejkers.
“Montenegrin artists got their chance to perform side by side with the legends of comics and music,” Mandić pointed out.
From Herceg Novi to the entire Boka Bay
To ensure that the anniversary HSF was strong and meaningful, the organizers prepared throughout the past year.
Jovan Subotic He reminded that after 19 successful editions, the organizers faced a special challenge – to create an edition that would justify the anniversary.
“We are aware of our role as the largest festival in the region. We are aware that we have to be the flagship of the Montenegrin comics scene,” said Subotić.
Along with 12 special guests, Herceg Novi will host a host of authors from the USA, Mexico, Italy, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Russia, and for the first time, Poland, as well as artists from all countries in the region.
Among the big names at this year’s festival are: Tony SandovaliWilliam Simpson, while they are returning to Herceg Novi Frances Portela, Fernando Dagnino, Sarah Burini, Marcello Mangiantini, Luka Strati, Ilias Kyriazis i Jean-Charles Poupard.
Three American comic stars who have already arrived in Herceg Novi are also attracting special attention – Shawn Crystal, Terry MooreiJim Mahfood.
Crystal, an artist who has worked for the world’s largest publishers such as Marvel and DC, points out that festivals like HSF are an opportunity for authors from different parts of the world to meet, exchange experiences and learn from each other.
“This is a great opportunity for me to learn, grow, and spread the ‘gospel of comics’ in a new community,” said Crystal.
Winner of the Eisner Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the world of comics, Terry Moore, emphasizes that such meetings allow authors to break out of the creative isolation in which their work is often created.
“We all come out of our ‘caves’ and it’s really wonderful to meet up with other authors again and spend time together,” said Moore.
Jim Mahfood, the author who, among other things, worked on the characters for the Oscar-winning film “Spider-Man: The New World”, particularly emphasized that comics erase borders and connect people.
“When I travel, comics and art are my way to connect with people,” said Mahfood, saying that it is precisely the shared love of art and comics that creates closeness even among complete strangers.
The festival that launched the Montenegrin comic scene
In two decades, HSF has become much more than a festival. Organizers also see it as one of the key drivers of the development of the comics scene in Montenegro – a country where no comics are currently published, no comics reviews, and no official comics schools.
“After the HSF and the success of this festival, a comic book scene was born in Montenegro,” said Subotić, stating that a comic book school will soon be opened in Podgorica, led by people who took their first steps at this festival, and today are internationally recognized Montenegrin artists.
This year, the festival is expanding its map even further. After Herceg Novi, Tivat and Lovćen, the program is also coming to Risan, so HSF will encompass all three towns of Boka Kotorska.
“Boka Kotorska is so beautiful that it would be a shame to focus on just one place, we need to show people all of it,” said Subotić.
The expansion of the festival began with the “Comic in a Bottle” campaign and boat rides, then Luštica and the Municipality of Tivat joined in, then the festival reached Njeguš by cable car, and this year the audience and authors can expect a new place for drawing and socializing in Risan.
Six days for all comic book lovers
The jubilee HSF thus begins today where it is most beautiful – among the authors, the audience and the drawings, with the atmosphere that has become the festival’s trademark over the previous 19 editions.
From big world names to young Montenegrin authors, from exhibitions and workshops to concerts and hanging out with fans, Herceg Novi and Boka will become a large open comic scene for the next six days.
Admission to all festival programs is free. Organizers urge the audience to arrive on time, as the capacity of certain programs is limited, and interest in the anniversary edition of the HSF is high.
The Comic Strip Festival has begun – and Boka is ready for six days of the ninth art.
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Herceg Novi Comic Strip Festival (HSF)Ricardo SecciNice viewPartybreakersShawn CrystalTerry MooreJim Mahfood
