(Sequential) tales over the net - autobiographical comics and new context of production and distribution.

As an effect of the globalization and the introduction of new technologies for commercial communication and content diffusion, it can be noticed an increment in the number of graphic narratives that take advantage of specific changes in distribution and trade dynamics, in order to elaborate different types of self publishing strategies, performed through global distribution platforms, now becoming privileged mediators. Among the many forms of autobiographic narratives, comics stands out because of the need for organizing a both textual and graphic narrative. Yet, in the present historical moment, the delicate task of narrating oneself through sequential panels implies entering in a broader context, where the final product passes now through different filters than those functioning before. Thus, personal narratives end up spreading globally, in a constant (but not necessarily dialogic) contact with the other - other cultures, or even one's own, represented in the comic under the implicit pretext of the autobiographical pact. I propose, therefore, a tentative analysis of how the passage to a global (and digital) market has generated changes and new dynamics in this particular artistic practice. Looking forward to further research, here I intend to delineate the context, defining conditions, involved social actors, as well as highlighting power relationships - emerging voices, differences regarding sex, nationality, and geographical origin - in an attempt to understand which modes of narration are gaining new spaces, and which ones remain invisible. Taking into account changes ocurred during, aproximately, the last decade, I will orientate myhe analysis mainly toward the North American context of production and diffusion, being this at the origin of the recent autobiographical trend, the focus of my PhD research, and also because english language production is an important factor from where the "local" (United States and Canada) ends up resonating on a global level, generating opportunities for further studies.