A comiXologist recommends:
The Curse of the Wendigo #1
International comics readers are all too familiar with the gritty realism associated with Charlie Adlard and his long time run on the instantly popular Walking Dead series. “The Curse of the Wendigo” marks the first time I’ve encountered Adlard on anything outside of his work with Robert Kirkman in a long while – what a piece to step out with!
At this particular moment, Mathieu Missoffe is, from this critic’s perspective, relatively unknown in the comic scene. That is, of course, only on this side of the Atlantic, as Missoffe has been writing some of the most exciting horror and action stories on the European market. A French writer better known for his series “Corpus Hermeticum,” Missoffe has been producing some of the most interesting twists on old world legends since early 2007.
“The Curse of the Wendigo” is the fifth story in the series, and it starts excellently. In issue one we are introduced to the trenches of World War I on the German and Allied frontlines. Sentry sharpshooters are vanishing from both sides in the dead of night. The losses have led a desperate and confused German officer to seek out leadership from the Allied side of the trenches, in an attempt to solve the mysterious murders. Irony never tasted sweeter than in the scene where the officers discuss stopping the murderer in order to continue “killing each other proper.”
Only a few pages after the meeting are we introduced to the “crack team” assembled from both sides and tasked with ending these disappearances. Amongst them are three German soldiers (of varying skillsets), two Frenchmen (also of varying abilities), and a Native American tracker. The tensions between the European natives is felt almost immediately over a shared campfire when one of the Germans accidentally confesses his hand in killing one of the Frenchmen’s friends, erupting into an explosive brawl. Tensions only grow higher between them until the “Injun” tells the tale of his people and his personal destiny. His name is Wohati, and he is a warrior of the Cree Nation. Wohati is the only one aware of what is lurking in the fogs and mustard gas, and he has made his way across the world and a war in order to kill it.
This is a title worth some love. As far as supernatural books go, this one is sure to please even the most hardened of fans. Missoffe’s story sets us up right for the road ahead, and paired with Adlard’s harsh realism we are sure to feel the weight and the bloodshed. This one looks like it is sure to excite.
Launch Titles Include The Curse of The Wendigo
by Walking Dead Artist Charlie Adlard and Writer Mathieu Missoffe
& Come Prima by Alfred, the Winner of the Prix du Meilleur Album
at the 2014 Angoulême International Comics Festival;
More Than 150 Delcourt Group Titles To Be Released Exclusively by ComiXology
“Today marks the beginning of the ‘French Invasion’ of comics in the English language market.”
- David Steinberger, CEO comiXology
July 6th, 2015 – New York, NY/ Paris, France – Delcourt Group, the leading independent comic book publisher in France, took a big step in their global expansion today with the debut of an exclusive line of English language digital-first comics on comiXology, the revolutionary cloud-based digital comics platform. This major publishing program premieres this month with three of the bestselling titles published in France, including The Curse of the Wendigo, which was illustrated by artist Charlie Adlard, best known for his collaboration with Robert Kirkman on The Walking Dead, and Come Prima by Alfred, the graphic novel which won the Prix du Meilleur Album at the 2014 Angoulême International Comics Festival. Announced in advance of San Diego Comic Con 2015, the initiative calls for more than 150 acclaimed Delcourt titles to be published over the next 12 months exclusively through comiXology.
“The French comic market is one of the most diverse in the world, and it’s fantastic to be a part of this game-changing deal with Delcourt,” said co-founder and CEO of comiXology David Steinberger. “The English language audience is more diverse than ever and Delcourt’s compelling titles will speak to comiXology fans. It’s high time that French comics take their rightful place as a major comics category. – today marks the beginning of the 'French Invasion’ of comics in the English language market!”
This digital-first exclusive marks the first time that Delcourt will be making its content directly available to the English language market. The Delcourt Group comprises three publishing entities - Editions Delcourt, Editions Soleil and Tonkam – making the company the largest independent graphic novel publisher in France and the second largest in France by market share. With this deal, comiXology further cements its role as the leading digital comics platform, offering the widest selection of digital comics in the world with over 75,000 comics, graphic novels and manga from more than 75 publishers.
“France has one of the most vibrant markets for comic books and graphic novels in the world, comparable in size to the U.S. market,” said Delcourt founder Guy Delcourt. “In France, we may call graphic novels 'bandes dessinées’ but the diverse stories we publish deliver the kind of action, intrigue and personal drama that American readers are accustomed to reading.”
Some of the Delcourt titles will also include original material from major comic book creators, with new covers by Andrea Sorentino, Matteo Scalera and Mahmud Asrar and introductions by legendary U.S. creators Mark Waid, Jeff Smith and Terry Moore.
“I love bandes dessinées, probably more than my own home-grown comics industry,” said The Curse of the Wendigo artist Charlie Adlard. “It was a great honour and a privilege to work on this book, which has everything I want in a story: a great setting and mood and intriguing characters. I really wanted to up my game on the book, too ,because this is French comic books – the quality speaks for itself.”
ComiXology and Delcourt Group have a long history of working together. In January of 2013, Delcourt was one of the initial publishers to launch French language content on the comiXology platform – the first step in comiXology’s European language initiative.
“I’ve long been impressed with Delcourt’s publishing slate, and I’m excited for what they’re bringing to comiXology,” said Thrillbent co-founder and Insufferable co-creator, Mark Waid. “It’s a smart pairing of a digital forerunner and a savvy publisher.”
ABOUT THE LEAD MONTHLY TITLES:
The Curse of the Wendigo written by Mathieu Missoffe and illustrated by Charlie Adlard.
To be published in two monthly installments, beginning July 6.
What creature is dangerous enough to unite the French and German troops in July of 1917? Only one man knows: Wohati, one of the 12,000 Native Americans in the U.S. Army. Wohati must lead two warring sides to solve the mystery of the Wendigo, for he alone understands the horror of what’s out there waiting for them.
Iron Squad co-created and written by Jean-Luc Sala and illustrated by Ronan Toulhoat.
comiXology exclusive cover for issue 1 by Matteo Scalera (Secret Avengers)
To be published in ongoing monthly installments, beginning July 6.
What if new technology in 1944 turned the course of World War II and led the Germans to victory?
Josephine created, written and illustrated by Pénélope Bagieu
To be published in ongoing monthly installments, beginning July 6.
Cartoonist and blogger Pénélope Bagieu tells the story of Josephine, featuring professional relationships gone awry, a series of faux pas, and many a failed romance.
Prométhée created, written and illustrated by Chrisopher Bec
To be published in ongoing monthly installments, beginning July 6.
Preface by bestselling writer Mark Waid (Insufferable)
comiXology exclusive cover for issue 2 by Andrea Sorentino (Old Man Logan)
What happened on September 21, 2019 at 1:13 PM can never be explained. And then, for 13 consecutive days, another unexplainable phenomenon occurs&hellip every day at exactly 1:13 PM. Prométhée is a mind-bending science fiction story written and drawn by Chrisopher Bec that recalls Lost and the very best science fiction.
Spin Angels co-created and written by Jean-Luc Sala and illustrated by Pierre-Mony Chan
To be published in ongoing monthly installments, beginning July 6.
The bestselling, action-filled Spin Angels series features a Catholic Church Cardinal who runs a black-ops group of spies, and the mafia godfather who puts his very best hitman in service of the Vatican in order to settle a debt.
ABOUT THE LEAD GRAPHIC NOVEL:
Come Prima created, written and drawn by Alfred
To be published on July 6.
With his award winning graphic novel Come Prima, Alfred (Why I Killed Peter) has created a poignant homage to Italian cinema and a surprising story about two brothers who hit the road following their father’s death.
UPCOMING TITLES INCLUDE:
The Call of the Stryx created by Corbeyran and Richard Guérineau
To be published in ongoing monthly installments, beginning July 6.“
The mysterious creatures known only as the Stryx have infiltrated the most powerful political office.
Elves created by Jean-Luc Istin and Kyko Duarte.
Debuts July 17.
Preface by Terry Moore.
All of the inhabitants of the Ennlya are dead. Are the humans or the blue elf Vaalann responsible?
Hauteville House created by Fred Duval and Thierry Gioux, with art by Christophe Quet.
Debuts July 17.
comiXology exclusive cover for issue 1 by Mahmud Asrar (All New X-Men)
The 19th century: a times of heroes without fear living great adventures.