Autsaider Comics Celebrates a Decade with a Festive Alicante Weekend
A major publishing house based in Majorca, Autsaider Comics, marks its tenth anniversary with a vibrant festival in Alicante this weekend. The event kicks off a series of celebrations planned for several cities as the independent label connects with its readership through a program of free activities designed to honor underground publishing, craft, and community.
Las Cigarreras cultural center hosts the anniversary gathering, which runs across September 16 and 17. The Autsaider Festival invites enthusiasts of high quality underground comics to explore a richly textured universe. The imprint traces its lineage to venerable titles such as Víbora and Star and is steered by Ata Lasalle and David Molina. The publisher is celebrated for offering rare writers a platform that sits at the edge of the mainstream, while ensuring careful editions that preserve the authorial voice with notable care. The aim is to sustain artists with distinctive visions and to present works that have a loyal following within a culture that values craftsmanship and alternative discourse beyond commercial advertising. A local creator, Adrian Bago, notes Alicante’s event as a showcase for a decade of collaboration among a community of contributors including Furillo, Don Rogelio J, Juarma, Cesar Sebastian, Edu Bravo, Bago himself, and Magius, who earned the National Comics Award in 2021 for a standout Spring title in Madrid, alongside musicians and bands linked to this world such as Víctor Coyote, Los Largos, Atomic Howl, The Child from the Grave, and Fernan’s Motorcycle.
The festival looks back at the first Red Number, a 16-mini comic box released in 2012, and chronicles roughly sixty titles produced by nearly a hundred creators. Some themes are collective in nature, including the book Red, Green, Brown, Black, and The Subterfuge, as highlighted by the publisher. The team expresses pride in celebrating this decade in Alicante with support from Las Cigarreras and a wish to share the moment with local readers. Autsaiderismo is described as a home for daring imaginations, capturing the essence of a dedicated, independent scene that thrives on passionate contributors who value quality and vitality over mass appeal.
A prominent feature of the weekend is a grand exhibition that will wallpaper the Black Box at Las Cigarreras. The display spans 126 posters, vignettes, and book covers, commemorating ten years of Autsaider Comics. The festival will officially open with a live event on Friday at 20:00, including a guided visit that will involve the artists in conversation about their work and journeys.
Earlier in the day, at 17:30, the inaugural activities commence with a master class on building an alternative publisher. The session offers insight into the practicalities of running a small press, followed by a mutual meeting that gathers participants to share experiences. The day continues with a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of independent publishing, led by notable editors, and a concert at 20:45 featuring Grave Boy and other artists, blending music with the comics universe.
A bustling marketplace accompanies the event with a stand showcasing original pieces, used books described as easy to hold and inspect, and notations about the publisher’s financial arrangements with partners. Visitors can expect a lively mix of talks, signings, and informal exchanges that reflect the vibrant energy of the Autsaider community.
Saturday continues with a substantial comic workshop at 12:00, offering a 13-hour session of instruction and hands-on practice. Attendees will create live comics in diverse styles, following an exquisite corpses approach that links panels into cohesive vignettes. The afternoon program expands with a nurturing focus on theme and storytelling, featuring a discussion about fictional worlds inspired by real events. A moderated table led by Fran J Ortiz leads into a session titled a rock and comics discussion among cartoonists who are also musicians. The panel, moderated by Ivan Lopez Navarro, precedes a sequence of final performances and concerts, creating a festive close to the weekend.
Throughout the festival, attendees will discover tables filled with original pieces and a broad range of used books set to be explored and debated. The event underscores Autsaider Comics’ mission to celebrate underground publishing and to provide a platform for voices that challenge the status quo, while delivering an immersive, communal experience for fans in Spain and beyond. The weekend promises a blend of art, dialogue, and music that speaks to readers who crave originality and a sense of shared discovery in the comic book landscape.