Russian Comics are getting a bit more attention across the news, especially against stigma. From its early beginnings is the spread of stories of the Orthodoxy, folklore, and satire. Then comes the Soviet Era’s complicated history with the medium. By the time more comics become common in Russia is a battle against its cultural stigma. Because these artists put all of their love into this medium.
Russian Comics’ Beginnings
As the story tends to go with the comics’ medium, sequential art begins with commentary. To spread information easier, iconography serves as a means to showcase the Orthodox Church. The most famous of which is the zhitiinyi that depict major events in a saint’s life; it’s rather similar to the stories of epic myth.
Following this comes the Lubok, a folk tradition of telling stories as a cheap and easy to reproduce medium. This is all in reaction to Tsar Peter I’s reforms to modernize Russia by making the country more European. As a result, political satire and daily life take center stage, not just on Peter and Ivan the Terrible but foreign stories too. For example, during the Napoleonic Era, peasants and Cossacks are war heroes that degenerate French culture. Note that this is a jab at Peter the Great’s reform where Russia takes back its identity. There’s even a time when Russia spreads Jewish tales from its neighbor Ukraine.
But all good things must come to an end. When the Russo-Japanese war goes on, lubok use begins to reveal the country’s overconfidence. By all accounts, there are some racist caricatures of Japanese people so even modern day folks wouldn’t miss it. Plus the Japanese Imperial Armies got copies to look for strategies against Russia. So the government enacts a censorship law to prevent more satirical luboks; instead the Bolsheviks use them for communist propaganda. Not to mention radio and TV were starting to appear as more cost effective entertainment.
Soviet Comics
Any actual Russian Comics wouldn’t appear until the Soviet era. Although ironically, this Russian style of comics actually begins in Yugoslavia where fairy tales and classic literature get adapted. The stories and art so influential, several other comic stories rise out of this trend.
One of the earliest Belgrade Circle members, Yuri Lobachev was so inspired by this development, he tries to introduce comics to the Soviet mainstream. Only for the Soviets to cease productions because they wanted to push the Socialist Realism art style. Comics with their more varied art styles and popularity in the West are a threat to the Union. Also a number of these comics paint the Soviets as bad guys or just plain brutal. It was probably bad timing considering this was during the Cold War; Lobachev practically had to beg the authorities to finish his story “Hurricane To The Rescue” since it made the Soviets’ look good.
It wouldn’t be until the late 80s when press controls lessen do comics get a resurgence. But perhaps the biggest push comes from the economic collapse of the Soviet Union. With no overbearing regulations comics like a fan-fic of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles flourish. Okay… the only comics that really succeed are from the publishers Tema, KOM, and Muhka. Artists and authors of this era get fans who found love for comic books and continue to do so well into their 30s. Why? Because the stories like The First Attempt to Cross the Ocean and Adventures of Captain Donki weren’t afraid to take risks.
Unfortunately, Russian Comics would be in a slump for the first tenth of the 21st century. Like many countries, a cheaper method of comic distributions come from imports of American comics and manga.
Russian Comics’ Renaissance
It’s not until the 2010s that comics start to appear in the Russian mainstream. The most famous of which is Bubble Comics, whose origins share a lot with the country’s comic history in general. First with magazines under a larger power that allows for satire, especially of Bruce Willis. That is until humor had to change into adventure. Titles like Major Grom and Demonslayer release with commercial and critical acclaim. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this all leads to Russia’s first annual Comic-Con.
Even then Russian comics fight an uphill battle against a lot of odds. That Comic-Con for example, most of the panels aren’t about comics at all; most of it was about video games and Star Wars. Then there’s the age old stigma of comics being “for kids”. No joke, a Russian Culture Minister outright said comic books are for people who can’t read and that it’s “pathetic for adults to read”. Joke’s on him because that comment seems to have increased comic sales throughout Russia.
Love Conquers All
Between all of the criticisms they receive from their fellows, Russian creatives aren’t driven by success but love. A creative collective Astro Dogs host Astro Con where ideas can be shared. In this case, a bunch of indie comics to reach a greater audience and be among their peers. One artists outright admits that while there’s not a lot of money in Russian Comics, there is plenty of love. With how many people make festivals like ComMission and a Top 5 Russian Comic Hero List, there appears to be plenty of love to go around.
So Spasibo, chto prishli and as always, remember to look between the panels.