La Madrid Comic Book Fair In a very short time, it has established itself as one of the major events dedicated to the ninth art in the capital. This gathering was created with the intention of bringing comics closer to all types of readers, supporting bookstores and publishers, and creating a space where fans, professionals, and curious newcomers can mingle.
Driven by the Madrid City Council and the Madrid Booksellers Association, and with the collaboration of the Germán Sánchez Ruipérez Foundation / House of the ReaderThe fair combines book sales, cultural activities and family-friendly offerings in a setting as recognizable as Matadero Madrid, which for a few days has become a true meeting point for comic book lovers.
A free event at Matadero Madrid with European comics as its central theme.
The second edition of the Madrid Comic Book Fair will take place 26 al 29 March in the cultural complex of Matadero Madrid (Plaza de Legazpi, 8)In the Arganzuela district. For four days, the plaza and interior spaces will be transformed into a large, specialized fair that can accommodate manga, superheroes, independent comics, graphic novels, and fanzines, without distinction of genres or formats.
This edition revolves around a very specific theme: European comicsUnder the idea of ​​«a journey through the main cities of European comics"Madrid presents itself as a crossroads between different graphic traditions of the continent, from the Franco-Belgian bande dessinée to the most recent proposals from other European countries.
The thematic programming is not conceived as a closed catalog, but as a flexible tour of current comics in Europewhich allows us to address what unites and differentiates the various scenarios of comics. Comics are understood here as a a key narrative and cultural tool for thinking about European identity, its tensions, its memory and its new forms of representation.
All of this takes place within a free access event: Entry to the fair and most of the activities is freeWith the sole exception of some screenings at Cineteca Madrid, which maintain their own ticketing policy, the aim is to make it possible for anyone to discover authors, publishers, and trends without financial barriers.
The organization is in charge of Madrid City Council and the Madrid Booksellers Association, with the support of the House of the Reader / Germán Sánchez Ruipérez Foundation, which provides spaces and cultural structure to house part of the professional programming and reading mediation.
A fair with two pillars: commercial and cultural
The design of the Madrid Comic Book Fair rest in two major complementary axesOn one hand, the commercial aspect, focused on sales and visibility of the publishing catalog; on the other, a cultural block with talks, presentations, screenings and activities for different audiences.
On the commercial level, Matadero Square will host a total of 60 boothsThis represents a significant increase compared to the first edition. These booths will be distributed 85 exhibitors, entre ellos 13 specialized comic book stores, 34 general bookstores and 37 publishing imprints, reflecting the growing interest of the sector in this meeting.
The fair awards the bookstores a leading roleplacing them at the heart of the activity. They don't just sell books; they also organize signings, recommend books, guide new readers, and serve as a bridge between authors and the public. The fact that General bookstores have almost doubled their presence compared to the previous year It indicates that comics have ceased to be a niche market and are becoming a stable part of the catalog of many stores.
These booths will feature both leading specialized comic book stores and more general bookstores—including Madrid establishments known for their commitment to graphic novels—as well as publishing houses dedicated exclusively or largely to comicsAll of this creates a true map of the publishing landscape that works with comics in Spain.
This strengthening of the commercial dimension aims to boost comic book sales In a context of booming readership, it's important to foster direct contact between publishers and readers and offer creators a platform where their works can reach new audiences. The balance between specialized and general bookstores also makes it easier for visitors to find both historical titles and the latest releases.
Institutional presentation and the city's commitment to the ninth art
The fair was officially announced at an event held in Matadero Madrid, headed by Delegate for Culture, Tourism and Sport of the Madrid City Council, Marta Rivera de la CruzThe presentation took place in the Espacio Taller, with access from Legazpi Square, and brought together institutional representatives and those from the book sector.
During the presentation, Rivera de la Cruz emphasized that the fair In its second edition, it consolidates its position as a major meeting point for authors, publishers, bookstores, and readers.In his words, comics live «a moment of extraordinary vitality"And the city of Madrid wants to follow this trend by supporting the sector and bringing it closer to increasingly wider audiences."
The municipal official has insisted on the idea that Matadero Madrid will become "the great square of European comics" during those daysBy bringing together voices from different countries across the continent and offering a program that goes beyond simply selling books, the city's approach focuses on strengthening comics as part of its cultural policy, not as a marginal element.
The Madrid City Council and the Madrid Booksellers Association They coordinate the overall organization of the event, while the Germán Sánchez Ruipérez Foundation / House of the Reader It brings experience in reading mediation, management of cultural activities, and spaces for professional meetings and workshops. This institutional alliance aims to give stability to the fair within Madrid's cultural calendar.
In this way, the Comic Book Fair is integrated into a broader strategy of promotion of books and reading in the city, but focusing on a format that in recent years has gained critical recognition, presence in bookstores and weight in the reading habits of very diverse audiences.
Curatorship and European approach to programming
La cultural programming of this edition is curated by journalist and writer Laura BarrachinaSpecializing in cultural information and with extensive experience in books and comics, her proposal offers a narrative journey through the main traditions of European comics, taking Madrid as a crossroads point between different scenes.
Barrachina conceives the route as an open itinerary that allows to discuss contemporary comics from a continental perspectiveThe focus is on what the different schools share and what distinguishes them, from the Belgian and French heritage to the new German or Spanish voices, understanding comics as an ideal medium for thinking about contemporary European identity.
Throughout the four days of the fair, the following events will take place Meetings with authors, round tables, creative workshops, new release presentations and professional activitiesMany of these events will take place in the spaces of the Reader's Housewhich will host both open conversations for the general public and more technical sessions geared towards translators, editors or booksellers.
The European approach does not prevent the programming from also emphasizing the international projection of Spanish authorsThere will be specific talks on the circulation of comics made in Spain in other markets, the challenges of translation, and forms of collaboration between European publishers.
In this way, the fair is configured as a space where critical reflection, the publishing industry, and the reading experience They connect directly, offering tools to both professionals and readers to better understand the current state of comics in Europe.
Invited national and international authors
One of the great attractions of the Madrid Comic Fair is the presence of renowned authors from the national and international scene. Throughout the program, the participation of such well-known figures as Teresa Valero, Juan DÃaz Canales, Javier Olivares, Ilu Ros or Mauro Entrialgo, among other prominent names in Spanish comics, and also from major conventions such as Comic-Con Malaga.
International representation will be primarily focused on Germany, Belgium and FranceCountries with a long tradition in the world of bande dessinée and auteur comics. Among the guests are creators such as Émilie Tronche, Mathieu Burniat and Mia Oberländer, which will provide diverse perspectives on the ways of narrating in comics in their respective contexts.
In addition to these names, the program includes the participation of other authors, both emerging and established, who will take part in talks, signings and workshopsThe attendance of creators closely linked to contemporary Spanish comics is also announced, such as Antonio Altarriba, Kenny Ruiz, Teresa Valero or David RubÃnwhich will contribute to strengthening the visibility of local production.
Among the activities listed by the organization is one opening talk by the French director, screenwriter and presenter Émilie TroncheThis will serve as a gateway to the European journey envisioned by the curators. This intervention is part of a series of dialogues on how comics relate to other languages ​​such as audiovisual media and radio.
In parallel, the fair will schedule specific meetings on the creative process, in which screenwriters, illustrators and colorists will share their working methods, their graphic references and the challenges they face in a transforming market, increasingly digitized and open to new formats.
Live podcast, radio and cinema at Cineteca Madrid
The programming is not limited to the traditional lecture format. The fair incorporates live podcast, radio programs and film screenings, with the aim of expanding the visitor experience and connecting comics with other cultural languages.
The planned proposals include podcast like Camp Krypton, a space specializing in pop culture, as well as live broadcasts of radio programs related to literature and popularization, such as Territory 9 and Menudo CastilloThese recordings, open to the public, will allow viewers to see firsthand how the content and interviews are structured.
The dialogue between comics and audiovisual media is also reinforced by film screenings at Cineteca MadridThese film screenings, which will be part of the fair's program and subject to Cineteca's ticketing policy, complement the exploration of European comics with adaptations, documentaries, and other works related to the world of graphic novels.
Beyond the leisure activities, the program will include debates on key issues for the sector: the relationship between European comics and manga, the challenges of translating graphic works, changes in reading habits or the impact of artificial intelligence on the publishing industryThese topics will be addressed with the participation of professionals from different fields, from editors to researchers.
In this way, the fair not only presents comics, but places them at the center of a broader conversation about technology, copyright, sustainability of creative careers, and new forms of disseminationThese are issues that directly affect the future of the sector in Spain and Europe.
Activities for families, new readers and the general public
The vocation of the Madrid Comic Fair is clearly informative and family-friendlyIt's not just aimed at expert readers, but also at those approaching comics for the first time or looking for options for children and young people. That's why a large part of the program revolves around... creative workshops and participatory activities.
They are planned workshops for children and adultsThese workshops are geared both towards those who want to learn how to tell stories in comics from scratch and to curious readers who want to better understand the language of comics. These activities serve as an entry point to a medium that is often discovered as a family.
The objective is to promote reading among younger generations and reinforce the idea that comics are not just quick entertainment, but also a first-rate educational and cultural tool. Stories related to history, science, memory, or literary fiction will be among the recommended offerings for school and youth audiences.
At the same time, the fair offers an ideal environment for Readers who are already initiated should broaden their horizonsDiscovering small publishers, independent artists, lesser-known European comics, or titles from other scenes. The booths and meetings with authors facilitate that unhurried discovery that is often missing from online shopping.
This combination of family activities, introductory programs, and more specialized sessions allows the fair to function as an intergenerational spacewhere veteran readers, collectors, art students and families who are simply looking for a different cultural plan for those days coexist.
Exhibition dedicated to Belgian comics
Among the major new features of this edition, the organization of the exhibition stands out. "The Belgian comic"An exhibition that delves into one of the most influential traditions of European comics. The exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Wallonia-Brussels General Delegation in Spain and is produced by Center Belge de la Bande Dessinée in Brussels.
The exhibition can be visited in House of the Reader until April 9This extends its duration beyond the strict dates of the fair. It will bring together about twenty reproductions of original plates, selected to offer a historical journey that spans from the fifties to the present day.
Among the names featured in the exhibition are Jijé, Mitacq, Philippe Geluck and Jean-Claude Servais, key figures of Belgian comics, alongside contemporary authors such as Olivier Grenson or Mathilde Van GheluweThe exhibition allows visitors to appreciate the graphic, thematic and narrative evolution of this school, as well as its connections with other European traditions.
This initiative not only aims to pay tribute to a deeply rooted comic book culture, but also To contextualize the Belgian influence on comics published today in Spain and other European countriesFor many readers, it represents an opportunity to put a face and style to works they may know by name but haven't had the chance to explore in detail.
The exhibition is integrated into the overall scheme of the fair, which seeks to offer exhibition content, live activities and professional meetings as three complementary ways of approaching comics. Visitors can thus go from the sales booth to the exhibition hall and from there to a talk or workshop in a matter of minutes.
Cosplay contest and audience participation
Another striking addition to this edition is the launch of a cosplay contest open to the publicwhich adds a playful and participatory element to the overall offering. The event invites attendees to come to the venue. dressed as comic book characters already making themselves known in the different spaces of Matadero Madrid.
The mechanics of the contest involve take photos at the fair and share the images on social mediaAccording to the guidelines provided by the organizers, this initiative aims to build community and visibility on digital platforms, while also enhancing the festive atmosphere in the plaza and surrounding areas.
Cosplay has become in recent years a form of expression widely used among readers of comics, manga, and pop cultureIncorporating it into the fair allows us to attract an audience that experiences these hobbies in a very active and creative way, while at the same time serving as a visual attraction for those who are visiting the venue for the first time.
This type of activity complements the more professional aspect of the meeting with proposals for direct public participationwhere attendees cease to be mere spectators and become a visible part of the event. The result is a more dynamic fair, in which the relationship between organizers, exhibitors, and visitors becomes more horizontal.
Alongside the cosplay contest, there are other more informal activities, such as live podcasts with an audience, impromptu book signings, and small workshops which will be announced throughout the days of the fair, thus completing an already very full program.
Logistics, access and visitor services
La Madrid Comic Book Fair It is held at the venue of Matadero MadridLocated in Legazpi Square, it is a cultural space easily accessible by public transport, as is the case in other venues such as the Zaragoza Comic Fair. The Matadero Square It will be the epicenter of the bookstore and publisher booths, while some of the activities will be distributed among Reader's House and other interior spaces of the complex.
The organization has made an information document available to the public with schedules, venue map, access directions and logistical details, designed to make the visit easier for those who only come for a few hours as well as those who want to make the most of the four days of programming.
Cultural activities are freeExcept for specific screenings at Cineteca Madrid, which maintain their own ticketing system. For certain limited-capacity screenings, professional meetings, or press events, a ticket may be required. prior confirmation of attendance through the channels indicated by the organization.
The official presentation, held at the Matadero Workshop Space, already previewed some of these practical aspects, such as Meeting point on the ramp located in front of Cineteca Madrid and access instructions for media and professionals. During the fair, internal signage and information in booths will help visitors find their way between the different areas.
Meanwhile, the fair's own website and the City Council's channels offer the Full program with schedules for talks, workshops, signings and meetings with authorsso that visitors can plan their tour of the fair in advance and not miss the activities that interest them most.
Overall, this second edition of the Madrid Comic Fair reinforces the city's commitment to the The ninth art as a cultural engine and strategic sectorCombining a growing number of exhibitors, a carefully curated European program, and participatory activities ranging from an exhibition on Belgian comics to a cosplay competition, Matadero Madrid will transform into a space where bookstores, publishers, authors, and readers share space for four days, confirming that comics are experiencing a particularly fertile period in Spain and the rest of Europe.