Unveiling of the theme for the 15th edition of the Montreal Comic Arts Festival
A Word from the Director
Happy New Year to all!
To mark our 15ᵗʰ anniversary, our team wanted a festive theme. We chose a theme that would reflect our desire to celebrate: ALIVE!. This rich subject will be an incredible playground for our programming committee to explore.
Comic arts have grown in popularity, particularly in Quebec. Over the past 15 years, we have seen an increase in the number of comic book artists, publishers and publications, as well as in the quality and variety of their work.
Whether depicting vibrant flora and fauna, breathtaking landscapes, buzzing cities, or even haunting voids, comic art draws us into its worlds. We can see characters being born, growing up, changing and dying; laughing, crying, suffering, screaming, disturbing and loving. They are so captivating that we often feel an emotional connection to them, sometimes wishing we could keep them with us even after turning the last page.
Like other art forms, comics draw inspiration from our surroundings, whether it be the environment, politics, or other current issues. They introduce us to fascinating people and moving stories. Even when the subjects are difficult, comics can be good for us and let a little light shine through their pages. They fuel discussions, they are exchanged and shared.
The medium is alive and constantly evolving. Comic book artists infuse it with their creativity, talent, hard work, enjoyment, and sometimes even a little sweat. This is what produces such beautiful works for us, the readers. This is why you won’t find books created using generative artificial intelligence at our Festival, and why we continue to support human-made art.
To illustrate this theme and mark our anniversary, we have chosen a prominent figure in Montreal’s comics scene. Published in both Quebec and France, she is a regular at the Festival who also produces zines. This Quebec illustration queen enjoys playing with representations of fauna and flora. Her dynamic posters are always elegant and sensitive, with a uniquely punk touch.
We are very happy that Julie Rocheleau has agreed to bring the visual identity of MCAF 2026 to life.
Julie Rocheleau is an illustrator and comic book author from Montreal. After working as a freelancer in animation studios, she turned to comics in the early 2010s, with notable and award-winning collaborations in Canada, Europe, and the United States.
She is notably the co-author of Globe-Trotteuses, Betty Boob, and La petite patrie. She has also created illustrations for numerous novels, posters, editorial drawings, as well as fanzines and other independent publications.
Photo: Rita Scaglia
We look forward to presenting the poster to you next April.
Thank you very much, Julie!
