The European Commission and leading comic book creators in the fight against the demons of the past. Soon the premiere of new comics from the Paneuropa series dealing with the most important social issues.
The two-volume comic book Paneuropa vs. Bane of the Past is a continuation of the cycle that was created on the initiative of the Representation of the European Commission in Poland. Like the previous publications in this series, it addresses the most important problems faced by contemporary Europe. The themes of the previous comics were the protection of Europe’s cultural heritage ( Paneuropa vs. Pandemonium , 2018), the fight against air pollution and its tragic consequences for the climate and the environment ( Paneuropa vs. smog , 2019), and countering the coronavirus pandemic that has led to over 6 million deaths ( Paneuropa vs. Covid-19, 2021). In each of these stories, the world of fantasy is intertwined with the real world, and Paneuropa’s fictional superheroes help to solve problems.
In the latest comic from the Paneuropa seriesthere will be talks about the migration crisis as well as the problem of discrimination and inequality. Mass migrations of people are one of the greatest challenges of our time. This phenomenon is often accompanied by smuggling of people who, feeling desperate and helpless, try to get to Europe. Recently, the problem of mass emigration has also affected our country. Putin’s criminal attack on Ukraine has brought nearly 6 million refugees to Poland. The authors of the plot also point to the problems related to the lack of acceptance of minorities, including sexual minorities. Paneuropa’s team of heroes, which embodies the most important values such as freedom, respect for human and civil rights, tolerance, solidarity, equality and peace, clashes with the forces that want to take away people’s freedom and dignity. The story created by the writers and cartoonists is fictional, but it refers to experiences from the recent past. It gives the title hopeThe nightmares can be overcome and effectively opposed to the makers of a wicked plan to destroy Europe. In the introduction to the comic, the publisher writes:
The Russian attack on Ukraine in February 2022 poses the greatest danger to peace in Europe since the Second World War. The process of establishing cooperation in various fields has never been easy and will probably never be – nevertheless, it has been and continues to be based on the democratic canon of principles contained in the Treaties adopted by all Member States. Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union states: The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society based on pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men. Building on the fundamental values of the European Union, the European Commission presented in 2020 a new fundamental rights strategy – the Equality Union – which proposes new legal solutions to better protect the rights of women, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities at risk of racism or LGBTIQ people. Observing or ignoring minority rights is not an abstract phenomenon – it is about the quality of life of our family members, friends and ourselves. It is about respecting human rights and our civil rights. members of ethnic minorities at risk of racism or LGBTIQ people. Observing or ignoring minority rights is not an abstract phenomenon – it is about the quality of life of our family members, friends and ourselves. It is about respecting human rights and our civil rights. members of ethnic minorities at risk of racism or LGBTIQ people. Observing or ignoring minority rights is not an abstract phenomenon – it is about the quality of life of our family members, friends and ourselves. It is about respecting human rights and our civil rights.
The authors of the script of the Paneuropa vs. The nightmares of the past are Magdalena Lankosz and Tomasz Kontny. Illustrations were made by Monika Laprus-Wierzejska, Rafał Szłapa, Robert Służały and Wojciech Stefaniec.
The premiere of the comic will take place on September 24-25 during the International Festival of Comics and Games in Łódź.
