Artist talk: Franz Suess

Franz Suess is regarded, through his comics, as a keen observer of diverse social milieus. It is above all stories of failure that the Austrian comic artist depicts: they often centre on people seeking closeness, love or direction, yet who instead experience rejection, disappointment or inner conflict. In conversation with Andrea Heinze, Franz Suess explains what appeals to him about difficult life situations and why it is worth delving into this rather sombre universe. He will also read from his comic “Jakob Neyder”, which has been nominated for the 2026 Max und Moritz Award.