The comic book scene in the Democratic Republic of Congo is struggling to survive. With the decline of publishers and bookstores, cartoonists like Jérémie Nsingi are forced to rethink their approach to producing and distributing their work. Nsingi, a Congolese author, illustrator, and animation filmmaker, recently spoke at the Festival international de la bande dessinée d’Alger (FIBDA) about the challenges faced by his generation of cartoonists. He explained that when he started out, the market was saturated with comics, but after a series of pillages, many bookstores and publishers went out of business.
The consequences of this decline were severe, leaving many cartoonists without a way to publish and distribute their work. Nsingi and his fellow cartoonists had to find new solutions to keep their art form alive. One approach was to look for cheaper printing options abroad. Nsingi discovered that printing comics in China was significantly less expensive than in Kinshasa, allowing him to produce his work at a lower cost. This enabled him to sell his comics at prices that were more affordable for the local market.
However, distribution remained a major challenge. With few bookstores and publishers, Nsingi and his association of authors had to get creative. They began organizing mini-festivals in schools, where they would set up small fairs during recess or after class. This allowed them to showcase their work directly to students without disrupting classes. Nsingi believes that this approach has been successful in circumventing the lack of traditional distribution channels.
The Congolese comic book scene has a rich history, dating back over 100 years. Nsingi credits the influence of French-Belgian comics, which was introduced during the colonial era. The 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s were particularly significant periods for Congolese comics, with many notable authors and artists emerging during this time. Despite the challenges faced by the industry, Nsingi is determined to keep the art form alive.
One of Nsingi’s current projects is a comic book featuring the Congolese musician Gims as a superhero. The project, which began in 2019, aims to use Gims’ popularity to showcase Congolese realities and culture. Nsingi believes that by leveraging Gims’ fame, he can share the story of Congo with a wider audience. The comic book is set to be released first in Kinshasa, followed by France and Belgium.
Nsingi’s approach to comic book production and distribution is a testament to the resourcefulness of Congolese cartoonists. By finding new ways to produce and distribute their work, they are able to keep their art form alive despite the challenges faced by the industry. Nsingi’s experience is also a reflection of the broader trends in the African comic book scene, where artists are increasingly taking matters into their own hands to produce and distribute their work.
As Nsingi continues to work on new projects, he is also expanding his skillset to include animation. He believes that comics, illustration, and animation are complementary disciplines that require different approaches but can be used together to create engaging stories. With his diverse range of skills and experience, Nsingi is well-positioned to make a significant contribution to the Congolese comic book scene.
Key points
- Congolese cartoonists are adapting to the decline of traditional publishers and bookstores by finding new ways to produce and distribute their work.
- Jérémie Nsingi is a leading figure in the Congolese comic book scene, with a range of skills including cartooning, illustration, and animation.
- The Congolese comic book scene has a rich history dating back over 100 years, with a strong influence from French-Belgian comics.
