August 29, 2020 - The final guest list of this year's, 14th edition of the Herceg Novi Comic Festival (HSF), which takes place from September 4 to 9th, although reduced due to the strict pandemic policy of EU countries towards Montenegro, includes some of the world's most significant names in the ninth art! The first among equals is undoubtedly the spectacular Glen Fabry, winner of the Eisner Award. Glenn arrives accompanied by Karen Holloway, a comic book artist who works for the most famous British publishing house, 2000AD.
"Glenn accepted to come to the Festival although he will have a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon his return to Great Britain. He did us a great honor with that. He is one of the most talented and most famous cartoonists of all time and, at the same time, a kind of rock star of the ninth art, a man who lives by his rules, and who recognized the HSF as a festival worth visiting," said the organizers.
The Festival will also feature Esad Ribić, a global superstar, one of the greatest cartoonists of the American giant MARVEL, and Russian master Artiom Trahanov hired by the American publisher IMAGE, alongside the inevitable Ambassador of the Herceg Novi Comics Festival, the legendary William Simpson. After the cancellation of a large number of comic book festivals in the region this year, and the postponement or online presence of others, HSF remained the only destination for stars and comic book fans this summer. The drawing team will be filled by some of the greatest European artists, special HSF guests from the previous editions. HSF is expecting Mirko Čolak, who recently worked on a fantastic comic with Todd McFarlane, a mighty name in the world of comics today, and also Milorad Vicanović Maza, Štef Bartolić, Krešimir Biuk, Tihomir Tikulin, Iztok Sitar, Filip Andronik, Milan Mišić, and Ana Omi.
In addition to the definitive list of guests, during the last preparatory weekend before the 14th Herceg Novi Comics Festival, the program scheme also got its final look. Faced with the most complicated organizational challenge so far- the year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the HSF Comics Lovers Association performed a kind of feat by holding the Festival on time and with a regular program construction.
"We will do our best so that the audience in Herceg Novi does not feel for a moment that this year is different from any other, that the budget is only one-tenth of the previous editions and that the number of special guests is smaller. Drawing, exhibitions, presentations, comic book exchange, music programs, and everything that accompanies the Festival will take place on September 6 this year in our city, in the most beautiful locations, and everyone will enjoy the cheerful characters of the ninth art. Circumstances have contributed to the fact that the Montenegrin scene will have special attention at HSF. We will present the first review of the most famous comic's author in the country, editor Simon Vuckovic, who also marks 25 years of work on comics. Authors Andrija Vujosevic and Miodrag Spasojevic will have exhibitions and presentations, and we will have a lecture by Luka Rakojevic. Special attention will be paid to the fantastic exhibition of Luka Cakic and the new project by Nikola Curcin, which is simply breathtaking," the organizers state.
The musical programs are prominent this year, as are the festival T-shirts and posters that many special guests made, regardless of them not being able to attend. The comic book market will also be stronger than in previous years. In addition to the regular offers of the comic book store Mr.No from Podgorica, comic book fans will be able to buy editions of Komiko, Besna Kobila, and Makondo and Phoenix Press.
When we draw the line- HSF calls its modest release in the most challenging year, the story that for many comic book festivals in the region remains an unfulfilled dream. The guest list is phenomenal, and with some possible surprises, always expected from the HSF, this will be another great event dedicated for the ninth art. The bar has been raised high.
"We owe the most generous gratitude to HSF's friends and sponsors who provided enormous support this year when the Festival was not able to count on sponsorship from public funds," states the organization team running one of the most exciting art festivals in this part of Europe.
