The third day of the 20th anniversary edition of the Herceg Novi Comic Festival (HSF) was marked by a lively exchange between comic book masters and audiences at Novi’s Škver.

The terrace of Jadran restaurant and bar became a hub of creativity and a gathering place for numerous fans of the ninth art. Visitors of all generations took the opportunity to watch comic book drawings being created live, receive original artwork and personal dedications from leading international and regional artists, talk to creators and add new releases to their collections.

Alongside the live drawing for fans, Škver also hosted the promotional segment “Ecology and the Ninth Art”, while the PVK Jadran Trophy Hall was dedicated to educational activities and presentations. A comics workshop for children over the age of 10 was held, while guests from the regional and global comics scenes presented their work and creative processes to the audience.

International guests have been full of praise for HSF’s distinctive concept, which puts enjoyment, art and socialising at the forefront — both among the artists themselves and between creators and audiences.

Shawn Crystal, the renowned American comic book artist who works for giants DC and Marvel, says the atmosphere at the Festival is fantastic. He adds that he has met a number of interesting creators, including Filipe Andrade, one of his favourite artists, and that he has been impressed by the work of comic book artists from the region.

“The city is absolutely beautiful — the sea, the architecture and the food are incredible. The fact that comic book artists from all over the world gather here makes me feel humbled and inspired. It warms my heart to be part of this story,” Crystal says.

Jim Mahfood, a visual artist whose work spans the music, film, television and gaming industries, shares similarly enthusiastic impressions. He is also known for his character design work on the Oscar-winning film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

“Everyone here is incredibly kind, friendly and accommodating. It’s easy to work because you’re basically in paradise — you hang out and draw for people,” Mahfood says, adding: “The Festival is great because there’s no pressure; it’s focused on direct conversation and drawing. In the United States, conventions are places for business and money. This isn’t that — it’s more of an artistic experience and enjoying each other’s company: having fun, laughing, sharing meals. It feels like a real community, and I really like that.”

He notes that he has met numerous colleagues in Herceg Novi, including Stipan Morian and Barry Kitson. Commenting on the work of artists from the region, he says there is a great deal of talent, concluding that HSF plays an important role in nurturing Montenegro’s artistic community and comics scene.

Award-winning Slovenian creator Izar Lunaček, who is visiting Herceg Novi for the sixth time, presented his comic book for children and animated film, offering a particularly memorable assessment of the Festival.

“This is such a good festival that even ordinary editions feel like anniversary editions — as if every year were the twentieth. It seems to me this is the best festival in the Balkans. We’re sitting around the table — Serbs, Croats, Bosnians, Montenegrins, Slovenians; there aren’t many Macedonians and Albanians, so that’s something they can work on in the future; and then there are Spaniards, Italians, French and Americans. This festival is a utopia, an occasionally open window onto utopia,” Lunaček says.

The perfect finale to the Festival’s third day came with the music programme at Forte Mare Fortress, which was once again filled to capacity.

The evening opened with local musical sensation Gorostas, fronted by talented Herceg Novi musician Jovo Čeprnić, who has been involved with HSF since the very beginnings of the Festival. The stage was then taken over by the Rambo Amadeus Quintet. The cult regional artist and his band thrilled the audience with sharp lyrics, virtuoso musicianship and masterful improvisation, delivering another unforgettable night at the 20th anniversary edition of HSF.

“The world has become caricature-like. My caricature-like style, and that same quality of comics, now come closest to showing the world as it really is,” says Rambo Amadeus.

HSF Caravan in Tivat and on Lovćen

This year, the Herceg Novi Comic Festival will reach all three cities of the Bay of Kotor. The caravan continues today, September 7, at 11 a.m., with a gathering of the Festival’s special guests and fans of the ninth art at Magnolia Square in Tivat, featuring live drawing, a comic book fair and an environmental promotional programme.

In the afternoon, the comic book caravan will take the cable car to Lovćen, where, alongside live drawing for fans accompanied by a DJ set from the 2Beat duo, a drawing school in nature will also be organised.

As part of HSF’s music programme, one of the most important bands on Belgrade’s alternative scene, Kanda, Kodža i Nebojša, will perform on the 28 October Stairway in Herceg Novi, next to L’Etage Café and Got Pub. The concert by the band known for its fusion of rock, funk, reggae, dub and jazz, as well as its distinctive songwriting and socially engaged lyrics, will begin at 10 p.m.

Admission to all programmes is free, and the organisers encourage visitors to arrive early and secure their place, as capacity is limited and audience interest is extremely high.

The full programme is available on the Festival website: stripfestival.me