Kepregeny are the comics of Hungary. But quick disclaimer, I couldn’t find a lot of actual names because of historical factors. You know the usuals: Nazis, Soviets, and Werthamites. Sure comics existed, but no one is allowed to forget the contexts! No matter how people try to forget those times. You gotta learn these to see the significance. Especially since Hungary got a few best-sellers that other countries oughta see.
Early Kepregeny
Hungary was a trend follower in the comic field. But cultural, political, and economic factors made it a very niche medium.
The country started learning about comics from its neighbors in Europe. I don’t mean what eventually became Serbia and Croatia, this was when Hungary and Austria shared a military/diplomatic empire. Basically anyone who knew German got into the comics game. Okay, technically illustrated stories, but not many people can tell the difference.
Not that there were many comics in the strips phase. Or at least none that anybody can or wants to remember. The Jewish-owned newspapers were closed down because Hungary was a German ally. Since this was the 1940s, the only comics were from anticommunist newspapers or military propaganda magazines. Each had some kind of antisemitism around somewhere. Layman’s terms, 1940s German allies equals Nazis. All are quickly forgotten when the Axis lost the war.
History Rhymes
After WWII, the Soviet Union came into Hungary. Before they banned comics… as usual, the strips that were around included kid’s funnies and communist/collectivist propaganda. That might’ve kept the Soviets at bay, but Seduction of the Innocent labeled the art form: “Western trash”.
But creators refused to back down, adapting Soviet and classic literature for newspapers and magazines. …What? I don’t know any specifics. Sadly these loopholes would have to continue when the 1956 Hungarian Uprising couldn’t make the Soviets back off. So the creators had to make do with their own magazines. Even if the crammed text make it exhausting to read. But tell that to the Soviets who usually wouldn’t let comics appear at all. You’d be lucky to find a private collection of comics that survive this period.
Things Got A Little Better
It wasn’t until the 70s when animators had to breathe some life into comics. At least there weren’t as much text in the foreign comics like Mosaik and Yugoslavian magazines. By the 80s, comics didn’t have to be communist based like Asterix and Lucky Luke. They even made distinctions between comic books and graphic novels/albums; one’s in cheap black and white, the other’s bigger and in color. As well as anthologies and underground comix to go against the grain of the Soviets.
Until the Union fell and publishers could do whatever they wanted. Of course most of them preferred imports, since distribution was becoming a problem. Not that they had the experience or know-how to handle more mature imports like Vampirella. Yet superheroes were no problem. In your face commies; superheroes show people the world around them. So much so, that any attempts from local comics couldn’t catch on. At least until Marvel’s bankruptcy caused royalty fees to skyrocket and publishers struggling to fill the void.
Kepregeny Need A Little Push
So hardcore fans started buying untranslated comics and took to the internet with forums and scanlations. It was thanks to this that Hungarian creatives could see comics as a means of self-expression. And my country wonders why it’s still struggling against this.
Scans along with the X-Men movies inspired Hungarians to make their own comics again. As well as everything to support them: publishers, festivals, and specialized websites like kepregeny.net. Wait sorry, that domain expired; try this place. If anything, it’s a mirror to the US’s manga and anime community. Some things are going well, some things could be better.
Feel The Passion!
2004 was pretty much the breakout year with Maus pages on display in a subway car. Now there’s a bold move my country could learn from.
With a demand few small publishers try their hand to supply Kepregeny. From anthologies like Fekete-Fehér Képregényantológia to the award-winning, A hívó. Most of these publishers would combine to form… The Hungarian Comic Publishers’ Association! Where festivals, fairs, and the like are organized in the name of mutual interests!
Still even today you’ll be lucky to hear about Hungary’s biggest success, the Kittenberger series. Starring the legendary Kalman Kittenberger, this alternate steampunk history brings together forgotten historical and literary figures and machines in bizarrely imaginative ways.
Hungary believes that its local comics can get a cult status, but they might need a bigger audience. I mean they’ve got webcomics but not a lot of buzz. Hopefully one day that can all change.
Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.