this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2023
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European Graphic Novels+

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“BD” refers to Franco-Belgian comics, but let's open things up to include ALL Euro comics and GN's. Euro-style work from around the world is also welcome!

* BD = "Bandes dessinées"
* BDT = Bedetheque
* GN = graphic novel
* LBK = Lambiek
* LC = "Ligne claire"

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My all time favorites are:

The Incal - Moebious & Jodo

Before the Incal - Janjetov & Jodo

The Meta Barons - Giménez & Jodo

Fragments of the Encyclopedia of Dolphins - Prado

Nikopol Trilogy - Enki Bilal

The Techno Priests - Janjetov & Beltran & Jodo

Jeremiah - Herman

Megalex -Beltran & Jodo

What do you think about those and what are your favorites?

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[–] Cobrachicken@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Aquablue series, originally by Cailleteau and Vatine. I also like the later ones, but I feel the storytelling is simpler, for a younger audience.

Yoko Tsuno, by Leloup. Couldn't get enough of the series as a kid.

Of course Valerian, and there also the earlier works.

[–] Nacktmull@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I read a lot of Yoko Tsuno as a kid too :) In retrospect, the series was pretty ahead of it´s time by having not only a strong female but also asian protagonist, don´t you think?

[–] Cobrachicken@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Yes, totally agree. A female, asian, technician, pilot, motorcycle rider main protagonist. How cool is that, or was for the times it was published.

Plus the clear drawing style, especially of techy things.

I think I'll have to look through the copies I own, and buy the ones missing from the series.

[–] Cynoid@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I'm not much a bédé fan, but I read the "The Meta Barons" a long time ago, and found it very interesting... If a bit too violent (or sometime crude) for my tastes.

My favorite series is certainly the Achilles Talon series. Which, granted, have sometimes more text than images on the page.

[–] Nacktmull@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago

I’m not much a bédé fan, but I read the “The Meta Barons” a long time ago, and found it very interesting… If a bit too violent (or sometime crude) for my tastes.

Jodo stuff is often a bit over the top with the violence and cruelty, I agree.

My favorite series is certainly the Achilles Talon series. Which, granted, have sometimes more text than images on the page.

I did not know that one before!

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Funny, I just randomly came across that series today. I'll have to check out an album or two.

Btw, I'm trying to provide a diverse series of reviews in this community, so maybe one day you'll find something else that sounds interesting.

[–] Cynoid@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I have no idea what it's worth translated, but "Le Roi des Zotres", "La Main du Serpent" and "L'archipel des Sanzunron" (in French) are some of my favorites. The hurricane of puns is a sight to behold.

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The hurricane of puns is a sight to behold.

Oh darn, I'll probably miss most of the humor, then. My French is barely reading level, altho I'm working on it..

[–] Cynoid@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yeah, don't try this one in french then. The comic is extremely loquacious (it's a stylistic choice, which work very well for me), and even native French speakers often miss wordplays, or find the style difficult to understand (sentences can become quite convoluted for the sake of a pun).

To be honest, albums are fairly unequal : some of them are downright classics, some of them are quite forgettable.

If you want an idea of the stuff, I found this translation of one here, which should give you an idea of what the short strips ones look like. Even I remember this one being better in french.

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago

Hey, thanks! I'm not usually a fan of the gag stuff, but this looks pretty fun.

I should be able to get a hold of Magnesia's Treasure, so I'll give that a read.

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

@Nacktmull@lemmy.world / @Nacktmull@feddit.de, I'm not sure what your main "FV" instance is, so I decided to comment here instead of messaging each of your name-sharing ID's.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I greatly appreciate your contributions, here. Having had to construct and populate the entire community with quality content has been a rather daunting task, and I'm truly grateful to you for stepping up, out of the blue (as we say in the States).

Also, just wanted to let you know that I've pinned this post, such that it's the top thread visible in our little community. Furthermore, I used some of your art suggestions to create the new logo (Gaston) and banner (with one of the 26 being the Moebius art you shared). Thank you so much for helping me with that!

Lastly, your Starwatcher art was one of the most popular posts here, so... could we have more, please?

PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE?

...he said, offhandedly and startlingly casually. :P

Seriously, though-- I feel like there are probably a lot of great German (& Dutch?) comics that other audiences don't know very well... yet. Could you possibly help by giving your opinions on some?

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

Just a fake comment here, in which I'm trying to bump this post up above the new "review index" post.

[–] Littleborat@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Trying to get into Enki/nikopol but it is so bleak and text heavy that I had a hard time sticking with it.

[–] Nacktmull@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yeah, the Nikopol Trilogy is pretty dystopian stuff. If it gives you a bad mood maybe read something else. What about "The Gardens of Aedena" by Moebius? I found it to be light and uplifting while still feeling deep and intense.

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

Thanks to a recommendation by @amazing2@lemm.ee , I'm now checking out "Dylan Dog," and wow, I'm mighy impressed(!)

For some reason I thought it was going to be just a mediocre pulp detective series, but it's really much more of a... metaphysical work, I guess is the word. Sort of like Milo Manara's Giuseppe Bergman series, but less absurd and more focused.

I hope to do a proper review when I get a better feel for the overall work.

[–] DontEatTheProstitute@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Ravian! It was a shame the adaption they did a few years ago was such a weird movie.. As a child and now adult I pick up the Ravian series again each year for a week of binge reading. Laureline will always be my childhood love ❣️ nice to see someone liking the incal series, just bought the the three deluxe edition ^^

[–] Nacktmull@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

TIL that Valerian is called Ravian in dutch - interesting! What do you think about the new alternative coloration of The Incal? Which one did you get for yourself?

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Ooh-lalala, nice! :/)

Now to be clear-- the origin of this community is based on my beloved r/banddessinee sub here. Meep!

I love everything about it, and as I say, I want our comments & work to belong to *US*, the users & members, the authors & creators, and -NOT- a corporation. Now if that finds you in similar ideation, then let's go!

Well then, ahoy then, mateys; yarr!

It seems we got some work to do! For example, we're going to need an avatar icon and some background art, for starters. What say ye, ye ol' scurvy lot of sail-adjusters! EDIT: Fixed, for now!

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Fragments of the Encyclopedia of Dolphins - Prado

Oh wow, now WHAT is that...? oO

[–] Nacktmull@lemm.ee 0 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

A collection of short stories, each story presents a certain point of social and technological development in the future of human society. Every story stands on it´s own but they all seem to be in the same timeline. Each story revolves around a different hypothetical point of development and concept of what humanity might develop into and tells about struggles and achievements of individuals and groups in the different scenarios. There is almost no action and a lot of interesting ideas to think about. He also did many other great comics in his distinct style. Two examples:

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Thanks! It looks and sounds amazing!

For an English version, would you recommend reading it through "1984" magazine? Or if it's not too wordy, I can read Spanish & French slowly.

[–] Nacktmull@lemm.ee 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It has parts that are more and parts that are less wordy. If my Spanish would be good enough I would for sure read the original version. I also like having all fragments together in one nice book. I don´t know much about 1984 magazine, just that it is comparable to Métal Hurlant. Are those old issues that had the first release of the single fragments still available?

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago

Magazines like that are sometimes preserved digitally at archive.org. It's not ideal of course, but I thought it might be a way for me to get a little taste of this work before I look further. Either way, I'll track this one down in good time.