FLIGHT

I own them all in hardcover in French (expensive!) but they're just toooo beautiful not to own them (go to amazon.fr for pictures)

First one (and best one) is "De Cape et de Crocs" (Of capes and eyeteeth), by Alain Ayroles (scenario/text I take it) and Jean-Luc Masbou (design). It's the story of these two noblemen, one a fox and French, the other a wolf and Spanish and their many friends. They're all after the treasure of the Tangerine islands, and it's mad funny and beautifully illustrated. My favorite line, after a long fight during which the fox talkes in very beautiful and sophisticated rhymes, he says to the evil Capitan Mendoza: "You are ugly and I don't like you." I think volume seven comes out in April.

Second: Garulfo, Alain Ayroles again (scenario), Bruno Maiorana (design) and Thierry Leprévost (coloring). Garulfo is a frog who wants to be a human, because he admires humans so. So he is turned into a human, and has a hard time dealing with the evilness of humans. There's a princess who falls in love with him, but he only likes this frog-woman. In turn, a spoiled prince turns into a frog and together they get mixed up in allll kinds of stuff. A very funny fairytale with amazing drawings. Finished series, six volumes.

Annnd the third one: Trent, by Rodolphe (text) and Leo (design). It's the story of this mountie (yes, Canadian Mounted Police) and if you see it first, you might think it's a stupid western, but it's not. Trent is a very...poetic mountie and the stories are heartbreaking and thrilling. There's also this lovestory going on with Agnes and it takes a loooong while until they finally get each other. Although sometimes the illustration is a bit shaky, especially in fight scenes, together with the text this makes a wonderful read. Currently on the eighth volume, dunno if it goes on.

Annnnd I should mention Lewis Trondheim and his Donjon series (which I don't own yet, but I will, I will!), whimsical fantasy in a style that reminds me of Kazu and Rad Sechrist. He also does other comics, but this series is his best, I think. Maybe five volumes now? More coming.

And as in American comics (also a great children's book), I really love Scary Godmother by Jill Thompson.

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I wish ...

Everytime I've been to France, I can never resist grabbing as many BDs as I can afford. I've never seen the ones you've mentioned, but my three favorites are the Sky Doll series by Barbucci and Canepa, which has absolutely gorgeous illustrations; the Angus Powderhill series, by Bailly and Brunschwig; and the Peter Pan series by Loisel. =)

What? No Keepers of the Maser?
Last week, monday, I just scooped "Monster Allergy"(which my store didnt carry until i bugged em about it) by Barbucci, Caepa, Centomo and Artibani.. first I've ever heard of the last two, and Sky Doll volume 1. Monster Allergy is great. More cartoony than Skydoll, you know with heavier lineweights and all that, but still great art none the less.

But I don't know a LICK of french, so until I get time to translate it all its simply eye candy for now. But yeah, Massimiliano Frezzato is my favorite artist period... just wish he had more stuff out. I plan on getting that 17x 11 sketchbook originals type deal of his soon... 100 BUCKS THO O_o. They had a half off sale at heavy metal.com for a while, but I didnt have the loot back then.

yes... for me, french artists are doing it soooo nicely right now.

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dookjooky.com

You have a STORE to get them?? I'm infinitely jealous. I have to order mine through Amazon Canada or beg people I know to pick some up for me. What store do you get yours through?

I've taken three years of French and I still can't read my BDs without a dictionary. I get them almost exclusively for the pretty pictures. It's also fun trying to guess the story without knowing what everything says.

I just got my copies of Sky Doll (Tome 1 & 2) from Amazon. WOW! Thanks for the recommendation, guys. Keep em coming!

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Jace Hall Show

I agree with E. They are doing a nice job over in France.
Those sly bastards

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Visit the GK Movie Watch Blog at www.Galaxykid.blogspot.com

Mikie< There is also an "Art Of" Sky Doll.
Amazon.fr is great and cheaper but they don't seem to
ever have anything in stock....
Unless you don't mind waiting,which i do.
You can also check the site below,a little more expensive
with the shipping costs.

http://www.fnac.com/Shelf/article.asp?M ... 6fde6&Fr=0

EDIT: oops! I just checked Amazon.fr.....the "art of" is available!

http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/2 ... 30-0071442

r.

rod, you are my new hero. Thank you.

So, is the french Amazon really cheaper then the canadian one? Even with the shipping? I'd imagine it would be a bit more expensive and take longer. But, I really can't say.

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Jace Hall Show

Shojo girl, I could hug you! Not that many people mention Garulfo or the Capes et de Crocs. The writing in both is excellent. Sad for those who don't speak french, you're really missing out.

I'll add the excellent "Scorpion" serie. First book actually looks more slick than the second (but I'm being nitpicky).

Sky Doll is a great book too. Number three should be out in France in June.

Yes, #3 will be out in june, along with a "2B" version.
The "2B" is the fairly new trend back home,where they print the books
at a slightly bigger format,usualy, with the sketched pages one the left,
and the inked pages on the right.
It's cool.
My favorite books would have to be " Green Manor" by Bodart and Verhman.
I don't think i can give it higher recommendation.....other than for Flight,of course....

I adore "Monsieur Jean" by Dupuis and Berberian, but i guess
you kids might not relate to the "thirty something" stories....

"Jerome k. Jerome Bloche" de Dodier is always a very good read.
The art makes me jealous too.

Soooo many others ...

r.

Don't get me started either rodguen.

though by reading your post I was reminded that I had lent to a friend the excellent Shenzen by Guy Delisle: the autobiographical story of an animation supervisor in China. Highly recommended.

If you don't speak French, German helps as well
Germany has been translating and selling comics from the French-Belgium region for decades and they have a nice stock of differernt genres available.
German being my native tongue, I've made some heavy use of this. Still, I'd like to polish my French...

Yes, "De Cape et de Crocs" is marvelous.
"Scorpion" looks interesting as well.

A classic and top SciFi one is "Valerian, agent Spatio Temporale" (spelling?)
Christin and Mezieres have been working at this for more than three decades and every volume is top and has usually some political relevance as well.

One new SciFi goodie is "Sillage" (translated in English as "Wake", don't know the publisher though).
This has been one of the best SciFi which I've read or seen in any medium
in the last couple of years. Strongly recommended.

One nice fantasy one is "Percevan", which is what I'd call classic fantasy. It has beautiful, intelligent stories and nice art.

This brings me to another classic: "The quest for the bird of time". Dargaud is currently running a sequel to it (I think with Loisel), but the second volume is still not even announced...bugger

Segure does some nice art ("Meduse" and "Time of the ashes")

"XIII" (thriller) is a classic, although I haven't had a chance to look at it myself.

"Cryozone" was good.

Does anyone know anything about "L'Histoire de Siloë"?
Le Tendre ("Quête de l'oiseau du temps") is working on it.

So much too read so little time (and money) *sigh*

unwen