Polish Generacja Nic, “Denarration” and the Liminal Experience of the 1990s Transformation in Agata Endo Nowicka’s Webcomics

Abstract

Access to the internet revitalized Polish comic art, enabled artists to transition from publishing zines and comic magazines in print during the 1990s and the turn of the century to dynamic online blogging platforms. This shift allowed new generations of Polish comic artists to regain prominence following the collapse of the comic market in the 1990s. Although these artists were familiar with comics from the People’s Republic of Poland, they explored different themes, often addressing national and transnational phenomena, such as “denarration”’ inspired by cultural texts about Generation X, or offering ironic commentaries on the attitudes attributed to the Polish alternative labeled Generacja Nic (Generation Nothing) in the media. Online comics democratized the medium, providing opportunities for those without access to traditional publishing to share their stories and amplify the voices of marginalized women and various minorities within local comics culture. Moreover, webcomics became a springboard for self-publishing careers, helping some authors achieve national and international recognition. Today, Polish webcomics serve as valuable documents, capturing economic transformation of Poland from a communist system to capitalism, as well as preserving a forgotten archive of captivating works by young creators that helped them navigate everyday challenges. The research methodology in this article combines cultural studies approaches with comics studies and the so-called oral history of comics. The primary material analyzed consists of the webcomics of Agata Endo Nowicka – the creator of Komix, the most commented blogging platform in the media, which inspired numerous other domestic artists.