The iCOn-MICS Action aims at carrying out Investigation on Comics and Graphic Novels from the Iberian Cultural Area (Spain, Portugal, and Latin America). Today, Iberian comics are struggling to position themselves on the global scene particularly because of past political and economic crises and a strong lack of recognition. Moreover, research works are very scattered leading to redundant initiatives and sources are not easily accessible.

iCOn-MICS will address it by structuring an international federating network of researchers, professionals, and end-users on Iberian comics to gather research works and improve access to it and to the sources; strengthening its dissemination and preservation; and improving practices for using comics as an educational tool to highlight and improve the image of this medium. To achieve those objectives, the network integrates 11 European countries, including 7 ITCs and 3 countries of Latin America (IPCs).

iCOn-MICS will produce various tools devoted to a broad range of stakeholders including: a database gathering Iberian comics, authors, and research works, a professional website dedicated to Iberian comics promotion, and a guide to use comics as an educational tool.

This Action will significantly strengthen Iberian comics identity on the international scene. Moreover, comics as a testimony to countries culture and history will provide a new vision of this Iberian area. Finally, iCOn-MICS will offer broader advances in research on new trends and use of comics as an educational tool. Sustainable synergies created between authors, publishers, readers and researchers in this field will represent solid assets for developing research and industry.