The event had to consolidate its 200 exhibitors into a smaller area in Hall 8 of Fira Montjuïc due to ongoing construction. Despite this, the organization is confident in attracting around 100,000 visitors, a number similar to last year's.
During the inauguration, the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, visited the event and announced that the next edition, the 45th, will be declared an event of special public interest.
Comic Barcelona, open until Sunday, May 17th, features a blend of contemporary comic references, emerging Spanish talent, and new international voices. Among the notable names are Shintaro Kago, Ken Niimura, C. B. Cebulski, Milo Manara, Pen So, Wooh Nayoung, and Deniz Camp.
For the first time, the Comic Barcelona awards will present the prize for Best Work by a Spanish Author to a woman, with five female finalists.
One of the festival's exhibitions, titled "The Stone Age", pays tribute to the career of cartoonist Paro Roca, last year's grand prize winner, tracing his drawings from childhood.
