During the 20th century, both the Fascist regime in Italy and the Francoist regime in Spain used comics as ideological tools to indoctrinate young people. Mussolini’s relationship with Walt Disney and the use of comics by the Spanish Falange to convey its ideology—such as through Flechas y Pelayos (Arrows and Pelayos)—shaped the evolution of popular culture in both countries. The Submissive Comic explores the darker side of the concept of “cute” in its relationship with totalitarian ideologies. This instrumentalization resonates strongly with today’s digital and networked culture. The Submissive Comic is part of La biblioteca cinetica, a collaborative research and creation project between Italy and Spain currently being developed and coordinated by Vicente Funes at the Real Academia de España en Roma.

Vicente Funes is currently a fellow at the Real Academia de España in Rome.

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The event will take place in the auditorium.
Free admission until capacity is reached.


Cover image: Il fumetto sottomesso. Il. di Bambi Kramer