A comiXologist Recommends
Part alternate history part crime thriller, the incredibly engrossing series Metropolis from French publisher Delcourt, is now available in English for the first time. Set in 1936, it takes place in a seemingly utopian European capital city of Interland, a country created following a Franco-German peace agreement. Although Metropolis appears to be a bustling center of scientific and artistic advancement, as is so often the case with a shiny exterior, darkness and malice lie beneath.
The debut issue introduces us to the young Inspector Gabriel Faun, the sort of adopted son of the city, as he sits outside a café writing in his journal. Recently he has noticed strange phenomena occurring around him: objects appearing out of nowhere, statues and façades of buildings changing. It’s unclear whether these transformations are reality or some kind of hallucination, tied to a psychological trauma. As the issue continues, writer Serge Lehman gives us tantalizing clues to Faun’s past and its relation to the future of Metropolis. Murder, espionage, and Freudian theory are all at play!
Artist Stéphane De Caneva’s realist style is extremely satisfying and compliments perfectly the noir crime plot line. Making use of muted tones and shadows, he creates really interesting urban landscapes and captures skillfully everyday life in Metropolis.
I really love the cinematic, hard-boiled atmosphere of Metropolis. It’s a smart, action-packed series that draws on history and psychology without being hampered down by it. I recommend checking it out along with two other newly translated series from Delcourt: Alice Matheson and Promethee.
Karrie Larsson is an International Production Coordinator at comiXology living in Brooklyn. She is not afreud of anything (wocka wocka wocka).
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Husk #1: Monkey Brain ½
by: Dane Cypel
Husk #1 is a complex story. In one hand there is a deep science fiction element involving biomechanical super-suits in a slightly dystopian future. In the other there is a drug-addicted cop trying to cope with the rush of piloting a super-suit while still embodying the virtues of law and order.
These aspects of the story were not expected. Coming from American comics, I expected more action and less human interest. Above all else, I wanted to see more about these mechanized suits, called Husks, because powered battle armor is really, really cool (thanks Starship Troopers). But Husk is more about the characters and less about the setting. The setting does set up the various conflicts but the Husks and the environment serve as foils for the characters.
The story begins with the release of a new Husk. Unlike the previous versions, the new suit functions on a sub-cellular level. This type of biotechnological development hints towards the Husk’s ability to think and bend organisms to function better with the Husk’s needs. This story aspect alone brings up questions about the role of technology, where it is going, and how far is too far. And even though this technology does not exist, the ideas have a profound impact that feels familiar and interesting.
Husk #1 is nuanced science fiction, similar to the film The Fifth Element. The world is colorful and deep yet the characters are driven by shallow passions. One would imagine that in a world where people have colonized Mars and drive biotech suits, people would have loftier, more righteous goals. But that is not the case. The characters have flaws that are complicated by the world around them. In Husk, technology has not made life easier or better.
After reading Husk #1 you will immediately want more. It is a story that different from other contemporary comics. If you would like a change of pace and enjoy nuanced, complex sci-fi, read Husk.
[Read Husk #1: Monkey Brain ½ on comiXology]
Dane Cypel is a digital editor at comiXology and freelance illustrator based in Manhattan, though he’d rather be on Klendathu fighting the bug menace.
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Josephine #1
by: Amelie Milet
As part of the “French invasion” of Delcourt books launching in English this week, Josephine #1 consists of a series of one page vignettes offering glimpses into the life of Josephine, a young twentysomething woman dealing with the typical encumbrances of daily life. Such familiar struggles that many readers will be able to relate to include meddling family members and friends, the social awkwardness of the dating scene, and the elusive quest for motivation to enter that evil realm known as the gym. Things may not always go according to plan for our protagonist (especially in the love department) but she somehow manages to pick herself back up after each mishap and you can’t help but root for her and admire her tenacity.
One of the things in the artwork that struck me was the innate fashion sense every character seemed to possess (maybe because they are all French), giving me a serious case of wardrobe envy as I swiped from panel to panel. Life is complicated enough as it is, why not look fabulous and wear a cute outfit amidst the confusion? Author Pénélope Bagieu, whose book Exquisite Corpse was also recently released in English, has managed to successfully inject humor into the mundane, exaggerating the situations in the book for comedic effect and bringing to life an endearing female character experiencing the trials and tribulations of life just like the rest of us. It is not often that a book revolves mostly around the banality of the day-to-day but Josephine #1 is a delightful and entertaining story that reminds us that life can be messy and weird and that it is okay to not have it all figured out just yet.
[Read Josephine #1 on comiXology]
Amélie Milet is an International Production Coordinator at comiXology and will be first in line if a Josephine Boutique ever opens up in New York City.
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.
A comiXologist recommends:
Come Prima
by: Karrie Larsson
As it is summer and perhaps the ideal time to take a road trip, I recommend doing so with the beautiful graphic novel Come Prima, written and illustrated by French creator Alfred. Set in the 60s, Come Prima tells the story of two brothers, Fabio and Giovanni, driving from France to their native Italy in a tiny Fiat 500 to transport the ashes of their father. The brothers have been separated for 10 years and their relationship has been a tumultuous one. On the road, amidst a slew of chance encounters, they fight often and sometimes do not speak to each other at all. At the same time, however, the trip proves to be a bonding one, digging up memories, both happy and painful, from their childhood.
Alfred’s storytelling is sensitive but accessible. The number of wordless panels sets a pleasant, meditative pacing to the book while also communicating the silence and distance between the brothers. There are wonderful landscapes of the French and Italian countryside, as well as many dream-like flashbacks. Inspired by Italian cinema of the 60s, Alfred’s illustrations succeed in a creating a powerfully nostalgic atmosphere.
Come Prima is an extremely engaging and visually stunning tale centered on family, roots, and a journey through Europe. It is easy to see why it won the top prize at last year’s Angouleme festival and I am so happy that it is available in English for the first time!
[Read Come Prima on comiXology]
Karrie Larsson is a Senior International Production Coordinator at comiXology currently living in Brooklyn. .
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Iron Squad #1: Red Commando ½
by: Dane Cypel
When I was in school for my Masters, we would often speak about French comics –about how beautiful they were even though we could not read them. Myself, and my fellow candidates did not speak French, so in many instances the books were purchased simply for the pictures. It was the art that kept us interested and we did our best to discern a storyline and flesh out characters with what we could understand.
Delcourt’s English-translated releases have, thankfully, fixed this type of fill-in-the-blank storytelling that I have had to experience with French books. With this release, there is one particular book - Iron Squad #1, that has caught my eye.
I was not familiar, at all, with Iron Squad before reading it for this review. It was between this and Curse of the Wendigo, both having to do with a World War and some type of fantastical element. As much as I love tales of the Great War, the allure of Nazi super-weapons, Soviet armored infantry and 1st Lieutenant Tania Yakvolev, comrade pilot of the First Female Fighter Wing, had my attention.
Iron Squad #1 is an alternate history story, where Nazi scientists have cracked the secret to making large walking mechanized vehicles. There was one particular scene where a Nazi general meets with his Imperial Japanese counterpart to present the Empire with their own “Iron Squad,” or in the vernacular - “mekapanzers”. While this is in no way historical, there is a wonderful blend of Gundam-meets-Wolfenstein.
What is perhaps the most interesting point of this story is that there is no American protagonist, at all. It is a commonplace for World War stories to contain that obligatory American character, but this shift allows for a completely different perspective. Instead, the focus is on the Soviet side of this war. There is, of course, a French instructor who happens to have a mechanical arm, but he is only in a few panels. I was still able to relate to the characters and find interest in what they were doing – something which most French produced comics are able to achieve with solid storytelling and well-made art.
In the past, there was this inherent barrier that kept readers like me away from French books. I wanted to read them, to put words to the pictures, and now that wish has been answered. These books are beautiful, they are compelling, and they offer a unique approach often overlooked by us English-speakers to the comic medium.
[Read Iron Squad #1: Red Commando 1/2 on comiXology]
Dane Cypel is a digital editor at comiXology and freelance illustrator based in Manhattan.
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Promethee #1: Atlantis ½
by: Tia Vasiliou
The launch of Delcourt’s English language books is the perfect opportunity to discover some new favorites. Christophe Bec’s Prométhée #1 sets the stage for a particularly intriguing story, opening with Spanish conquistadors in the year 1513 discovering the wreckage of a spacecraft. Bec goes on to introduce a cast of seemingly disparate 21st century characters, each at the precipice of a significant event as the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) reaches 13:13.
Clearly, the Prometheus myth is the key to unlocking the enigma of time and the number 13 in this book. With the myth’s conflict between the darkness of mortality and the illumination of divinity, culminating in the bitter consequences a creator must suffer for his mistakes, Prometheus has served as a thematic framework or plot device for many modern stories (check out the graphic novel adaptations of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or puzzle over the Prometheus Gambit in kierongillen and Jamie mckelvie’s The Wicked and the Divine).
In Prométhée #1, the tale of the Titan is presented in a gorgeous interlude. If some of these panels seem familiar, somewhere your old art history professor is smiling. You may recognize the artwork of William Blake, Goya, Sir James Thornhill, Ingres, Dirk van Baburen, and Rodin. (Extra credit if you noticed the Altar of Zeus at Pergamon!) Referencing these iconic works from the Western canon is an elegant way for Bec to infuse the story with a sense of familiarity and timelessness, and it’s one of my favorite things about this time-bending mystery.
[Read Promethee #1: Atlantis 1/2 on comiXology]
Tia Vasiliou is a former art historian, but working as a digital editor at comiXology is way more fun.
Say Bonjour to the French Comics Taking Over Comixology →
Check out an exlusive preview of Prometheé #1 over at iO9 and see the first slate of newly translated BD coming to comiXology.
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.
ComiXology Expands Digital Library With French Titles →
It’s so so so so so so so awesome to start getting Delcourt BD translated into English on comiXology.