Coll, un gigante en el TBO

Josep Coll (Barcelona, 1924–1984) is regarded by critics, specialists—and undoubtedly by his admirers—as one of the greatest Spanish comic artists of the 20th century. Many extend this recognition to the European and even global scene.

Coll was one of the pillars of TBO, the magazine that gave its name in Spain to all comic publications, the popular tebeos. He joined the editorial team in 1949 and remained a regular contributor until 1964. That year, when his comics were no longer profitable for the publisher, he decided to return to the family trade he had started as a teenager: masonry. Many consider that departure—fortunately only partial, as he continued to draw sporadically—one of the greatest editorial mistakes in the history of Spanish comics.

His graphic style, aligned with modernity and the simplicity of the avant-garde, followed in the footsteps of giants like Winsor McCay, George McManus, Otto Soglow, and Hergé. Coll was always modern. He was modern then, even if his readers might not have described him that way: to them, he was simply different from the rest. The best artist in TBO.

Today, Coll lives on in the memory of those who enjoyed his pages and is recognized by new generations of comic creators. This exhibition—the largest display of Coll’s original works to date—invites visitors to discover and rediscover his subtle humor and unforgettable characters: castaways, hunters, botanists, cannibals, drivers… a wide range of astonished figures faced with cleverly disconcerting situations.

A unique opportunity, made possible thanks to the initiative of Casal Solleric and the Clúster de Còmic i Nous Mèdia de Mallorca, to reconnect with an unrepeatable creator.

Enjoy it!

Curators: Luis Garbayo and Juan Roig

Coll, un gigant en el TBO
Ground floor and mezzanine of Casal Solleric
From 10/23/25 to 01/07/26
This exhibition is part of the Còmic Nostrum Festival 2025

Guided tour of the exhibition
Saturday, October 25 at 11 a.m.
Led by curators Luis Garbayo and Juan Roig
Free entrance
Register at solleric@palma.cat