Josep Homs – Illustrating the Fantastic

Josep Homs is one of the most highly regarded authors of the new generation of Spanish comics artists. His virtuoso, instantly recognisable line is matched by a defining taste for illustrating the fantastic.

Following a spell in North America and a range of collaborations as an illustrator, El Angelus and his adaptation of the Millennium series confirmed both his talent and the solidity of his career.

His detailed, arresting draughtsmanship brings to life SHI, one of the most acclaimed series in Franco-Belgian comics today, which he co-signs with Zidrou as writer. Set against the backdrop of Victorian England, SHI — whose title comes from an ideogram meaning "death" — blends adventure and fantasy in a story shot through with criminal intrigue, magic and social conscience. Events gather pace when two women from opposite worlds, united by hatred, end up forging unbreakable bonds.

The Devil and Coral marks Homs's debut as sole author. It is a profound story about a young Jewish girl who shares her life with the devil. Here again, the fantastic and the supernatural run through the work.

This exhibition brings together a selection of original artwork drawn from across his output — pages that demonstrate the talent and inventiveness that make Homs one of the outstanding authors in European comics today.

Josep Homs

Josep Homs is a Spanish artist and colourist, born in Barcelona in 1975. Surrounded by paper and pencils from his earliest years, he studied drawing at the Escola Joso in Barcelona and began working in advertising, the press, design and graffiti, rising quickly as a comics artist. On deciding to leave Europe for the United States, Homs had the chance to work for several publishers, above all Marvel, the giant of American comics. He went on to draw Red Sonja (written by Frank Cho and Doug Murray) and Blade (written by Christopher Hinz), and also published in Heavy Metal magazine and in the Spanish anthologies Barcelona TM and Revolution Complex.

On his return from the United States, he signed with Dupuis to draw El Angelus (written by Frank Giroud) and then, working with Sylvain Runberg, the imposing adaptation of Millennium.

Shi, written by Zidrou, appeared in early 2017 and was awarded the Saint-Michel Prize for best artwork in October of that year, followed in 2019 by the Bronze Award at the Japan International Manga Award.