Comics Are No Joke!
They’re not just escapist entertainment, children’s literature, or a fringe pursuit—here in our department, we take comics seriously.

Through comics, we dive into a rich world of content that explores every possible theme: from cross-cultural encounters, journeys, and adventures to childhood, fantasy, geopolitical conflicts, migration and refugees, gender issues, coping with illness and loss—and yes, even Holocaust memory.

The language of comics is a complex meaning-making system, built on symbols and rules, where text and image intertwine to encode and organize information. The more we understand how meaning is created through this unique medium, the better equipped we are to analyze other forms of communication that combine words and images—advertising, billboards, posters, and beyond.

Comics are also deeply connected to Francophone culture. It’s not just about American superheroes; it’s about the timeless figures of Belgian and French culture: Tintin, Asterix and Obelix, the Smurfs. And let’s not forget the acclaimed adult authors—Enki Bilal, creator of futuristic worlds in the Nikopol series; Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis; and Joann Sfar, with his legendary Rabbi’s Cat.

For M.A. and Ph.D. students, comics offer a unique opportunity: you can even dedicate your research thesis to this fascinating field.