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Call For Papers for “The Future in Comics” conference at Stockholm University

By John Freeman on February 18, 2015

The research group on comics at the English Department at Stockholm University has announced a Call For Papers on the topic “The Future in Comics“, to be presented at an academic conference in Stockholm in September – and the bleak world of 2000AD‘s “Rogue Trooper” and “Judge Dredd” are just a couple of possible topics for discussion.

This conference will aim to investigate ways in which comics explore the idea of “future.” Its goal is to gather scholars from the field of comic studies and related fields, such as linguistics, philosophy, literary studies, cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, film studies as well as others that can discover a conceptual connection to the rigorous study of comics.

Given the broad and yet specific purpose, the organisers say they aim to discuss work on comics originating from all major traditions: French bande desineé, American and British comics, Italian fumetti, Japanese manga, and so on.

“In pursuing this cross-cultural approach, we wish to discuss not only how different conceptions of the future in comics can be compared and analysed,” say the organisers, “but also how comics offer unorthodox modes of representation that allow for creative, intellectual freedom that may be different from literature and cinema.”

In particular, the team are interested in, but not limited to, discussing these themes:

The cross-roads between utopia and dystopia (e.g. Gundam‘s Universal Century, Transmetropolitan‘s representation of life in “the city”, Harlock’s 30th century, the world of 2000AD’s “Rogue Trooper”)
Apocalypses and new beginnings (e.g. Nausicaä‘s tragic millennium, The Authority‘s new world, X-Men’s Days of Future Past, El eternauta‘s alien invasion)
The cities of the future (e.g. Judge Dredd’s Mega City One; Akira‘s neo-Tokyo; RanXeroX‘s Rome)
The humans of the future: mutants, augmented humans, robots and cyborgs (e.g. Major Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell, Tony Stark in Iron Man; 2000AD‘s “ABC Warriors”)
The politics of the future (e.g. Bilal’s Nicopol Trilogy; Oshi’s Patlabor trilogy; Marvel’s Civil War)
Time and history (e.g. Watchmen; Planetary, Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Nostalgia for future pasts (e.g. Nadia, Arzach, Tom Strong, Satellite Sam)
Elaborations and revisitations of futures in comics (Pluto, Time2, Le Transperceneige)
Futures set in stone, and how to avoid or reach them (X-Men’s Days of Future Past; AppleSeed, The Invisibles)

The ornaginisers hope to create a conference that not only discusses these topics and uncovers how they have been addressed in comics about the future, but also to lay the foundations of future research on these topics and develop new tools for advanced comics studies. We welcome abstracts between 400 and 500 words, excluding references and title. At the moment, we are aiming at securing publishing rights for selected papers from this conference, aiming at publication in December 2016.

• For further information, contact: Francesco Ursini or Adnan Mahmutovic. Electronic registration will start by the 15th of May

• The Future in Comics, 3rd-5th September, Stockholm. Call for papers, deadline/ Notification of acceptance: 15thApril, 2015/10th May, 2015. Website: https://futureincomics.wordpress.com. Submissions will be handled via easychair: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=fic1

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.