One of the things I've been meaning to discuss more, because in this English-language world of comic book bloggery, I should be somewhat of an expert, is French-language comics, or Euro-comics, or what I'll probably be calling them, bandes dessinées. Let's try to change that in the coming weeks.
This won't really be about the current output out of France and Belgium because I'm not up to date on those at all, but about the veritable classics I read and collected in my youth (and still have). Most have been in translation, and Anglophone readers will recognize at least some of the series and authors I select.
My focus will be on what made each series interesting and perhaps historically relevant, on the author's style and achievements, perhaps using a particular volume as prime example. Expect variety - humor, adventure, period pieces, science fiction, fantasy, westerns, surrealism - just don't expect superheroes. That's a niche well filled by the English-speaking world and practically absent from bande dessinée.
It's my hope that these essays will interest readers of all language bases, either as cultural artifacts or as books to seek out and discover. My copies are all in French, but I'll make an effort to seek out English-language scans to better illustrate each series, if possible.
There's a whole other world of comics out there (well, more than one, truth be told), and I've only just scratched its surface. What's YOUR familiarity with Franco-Belgian comics output?
Comments
Or, screw it, just read whatever Cinebook is translating. Start with Lucky Luke. ;-)
And "review" is perhaps misleading, as I won't go through the books like so many episodes of television. I'll basically look at series as a whole, and their creators, and discuss what's so good about them and whether you should seek them out regardless of mother tongue.
But have you ever read the Lt. Blueberry books by Charlie and Girard (aka Moebius)? French Westerns and they are Awesome!
@SallyP -- Dark Horse is starting up the Moebius library reprints in the fall. No word yet on when the Blueberry books might be part of that, though. Not in the first few books, it looks like. =( I've never read those, but I'm hoping to someday...
As fir Lucky Luke, I have 6 or 7 probably, though read many more at the local library when I was a kid.
You're all making me think about album by album reviews now, dammit!
If you're going to go album by album, might as well start with Asterix. There's only three dozen or so of those, right? ;-)
As for newer stuff, I'm like you, I haven't paid much attention (with the exception of Les Geeks from Lanfeust...I love those albums!)
Mike W.
The posts may have anything from Rahan to Boule & Bill, Achille Talon to Buck Danny, Philémon to Bob Morane, in addition to brighter lights like the young reporter from Brussels, the clever warrior from Gaul, and the bellhop with the crazy cheetah-monkey thing.
I always wished the History Channel would do an "April Fools" programming line-up, with shows like "The One Village Caesar Could Not Conquer". That would of course be a very tongue-in-cheek treatment of Asterix and Obelix, with re-enactments and readings of ancient documents ("Esteemed Senate: General Caesar is missing, a single blow from a large Gaul sent him flying out of his sandals in the direction of Rome. Have you perchance seen him?").
The Schtrumps have real good issues (specialy the firsts ones) but I prefer Jan and Tirluit. Good gun with these two.