Strip Sa Margine (translated as Comic from the Margins) is a comic book anthology series published in Serbian by the Presing Society for the Affirmation of Culture (Društvo za afirmaciju kulture Presing) commencing in 2020. The series is dedicated to providing a platform for independent and non-established authors, though it occasionally features short works by well-known artists to help draw attention to the collection.

In the Serbian comic market, which is often dominated by translations of Italian (Bonelli) and American (DC/Marvel) comics, Strip Sa Margine serves as a critical publication highlighting local talent. It bridges the gap between amateur hobbyists and professional comic authors by giving them a physical, published medium to showcase their work to the public.

The anthology features a wide variety of drawing styles and storytelling techniques, ranging from traditional adventure comics to more abstract and experimental art. While published in Serbia, it includes contributors from the entire Balkan region (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, etc.), fostering a broader regional comic scene.

The Phantom appears on the front cover of Strip Sa Margine edition number 2, published in 2023. This edition contains 64 pages rendered in black and white with Serbian text. Although the character is prominently displayed on the cover, he does not actually appear in any of the comic strip stories within. This issue was meticulously crafted to commemorate the history of comics in the Balkans, while remaining steadfast in its commitment to promoting independent local talent.

The cover of Strip Sa Margine edition number 2, illustrated by Aleksandar Anđelković in 2020, features a vibrant tribute to global pop culture icons emerging from the imagination of a young reader, which can be seen below. At the center stands He-Man with his sword raised, surrounded by a diverse cast including The Phantom, Spider-Man, Conan the Barbarian, and Invincible. Other notable figures bursting from the pages include Lara Croft, Cheetara from the ThunderCats, the Pink Power Ranger, Raphael from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the classic duo Tintin and Snowy.

The illustration further highlights the deep comic book culture of the Balkan region through several “Easter eggs” scattered across the boy’s desk. A prominent copy of Alan Ford (Grupa TNT) is visible, nodding to the Italian comic’s massive cult following in the former Yugoslavia. Also featured are references to The Simpsons Comics, the historic Amazing Fantasy #15 (Spider-Man’s debut), and a front-cover depiction of The Hulk on the magazine the boy is holding, which is coincidentally the first edition of Strip Sa Margine. The digital version of the front cover can be seen below.

Advertisements for Strip Sa Margine edition number 2 read:

Our little blue boy, in addition to all the famous heroes and comic series from the collection he has at his disposal, took to reading something local and something less known.

In this issue, there are works by Korina Hunjak, Zoran Aladžić, Miloš Dragojević, Ivica Sretenović, Srđan Jerković, Ismet Erdić, Novica Milivojević, Filip Androniko, Nikola Gotić, Zoran Jovičić and works by students of comic schools… This phenomenal cover was made by Aleksandar Anđelković, a master of his craft.

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