Oulu Comics Center

Welcome to this tour through the Mexican landscape of independent comics.

During the 1950s and 60s, Mexico was one of the largest producers of comic books in the world, even surpassing Japan. That thriving industry eventually disappeared, and with it, much of its audience. Today, most publications are created by independent artists who work without economic structure, professionalization, or financing, while competing with every form of entertainment available.

At the same time, there has never been so much freedom for authors to express themselves. Without the need to satisfy a market or an editor, and with accessible publishing options, artists can create stories and visual styles entirely on their own terms.

In this exhibition, you will find a diversity of art styles and themes connected through a narrative. It begins with a fascination with death, a subject deeply rooted in Mexican culture, then moves through life’s hardships and the search for solutions, courage, and resilience. Finally, it arrives at a more romantic view of life and at the love for making comics.

I hope you can feel the embrace of Mexican culture through this exhibition and find inspiration to follow your dreams beyond the obstacles that may appear along the way.

Gracias.