Phantom menaces humantrafficking junkshop dealer watto looks a lot like a bulbous humanoid alien with a trunk from ambassador of the shadows, volume six in mezieres valerian and laureline series. Spatiotemporal agent or just valerian, is a french science fiction comics series, created by writer pierre christin and artist jeanclaude mezieres. The first valerian and laureline strip appeared in pilote magazine in. It was in 1967 that the first story of your science fiction comic strip. This popular long running scifi comic series has proved to be hugely influential for many science fiction films including. In 1973, the same year jean giraud completed his work for pilote, casterman brought out hugo pratts celebrated war comic corto maltese. French cinemas first masterpieces were scifi shorts by pioneer georges melies. These are the previously released the city of shifting waters and the empire of a thousand planets. Blade runner 2049 director denis villeneuve is science.
In 1967 the popular sciencefiction series valerian et laureline debuted and in 1968 the popular western comedy lucky luke by morris was. However, with the publication of the order of the stones in 2007, the series now goes under the title valerian and laureline. The french comics behind luc bessons valerian and the city. Try below is a list of four other options to learn french through comics. Until the 1970s, frenchlanguage comics a term including comics created in both france and in belgium were really divided into three almost entirely separate industries. All valerian stories have been collected in anthology comics in a graphic novel format that comprise 21 volumes, a short story collection and encyclopedia. Jul 20, 2017 there would be no star wars without this wild french comic from the 60s. Pilote was a french comic magazine published from 1959 to 1989. I was raised with all these comic books, he tells me.
However, the truth is that comic books are still being producedand, in france, theyve even dedicated an entire theme park in parisparc asterixto the french comic worlds most beloved characters, asterix and obelix. Mar 15, 2015 while a number of these comics can be found online or bought on amazon, bookstores and comic shops, you can also borrow these books in a french cultural center near your place. French anthology magazine pilote, which was also home to asterix. Bd is a vehicle for experimental ideas, nihilism, eroticism. Valerian first appeared in 1967 in the pages of pilote magazine, an anthology series published in france. Valerian was created by the writer pierre christin and the artist jeanclaude mezieres in the french comic book magazine pilote in 1967. It remains an active and productive genre which has evolved in conjunction with anglophone science fiction and. Showcasing most of the major french or belgian comics talents of its day the magazine introduced major series such as asterix, barberouge, blueberry, achille talon, and valerian et laureline. I am trying to find out the name of a couple of science fiction comic books that think were released in the 1980s. Even the prequel trilogy isnt safe from unaccredited similarities to french scifi comics.
He entered the art world as a regular contributor to the french comic, pilote, in. Pierre christin and jeanclaude mezieres science fiction series valerian and laureline is one of the most influential french comics of all time. Here are 19 of the most popular frenchlanguage comics. Spanning space and time from trips to the moon with meleis in 1902 to ti. Finally, we have provided a series of links to help those seeking additional information about these series andor authors. What are some good modern french language science fiction books. While valerian is mezieres only comic series, he has worked as an illustrator in many other. Until the 1970s, french language comics a term including comics created in both france and in belgium were really divided into three almost entirely separate industries. I dont know if theres a school of french scifi, but theres a. I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of some other good works.
This hard cover collection translated to english is gorgeous, and is a must have for fans of scifi. The fifth element, the empire of a thousand planets, and frequently in the star wars series, and especially the empire strikes back. If we start breaking weird down into subgenres and subsubgenres, wed have to name zdarsky the modern master of weirdfunnyscifi. Souvenirs du futur 2 valerian comic, comic book pages, comic books, sci fi. Pairing new vocabulary and grammar with pictures and storytelling makes learning french enjoyable.
From nouveau realisme to biting satire, gritty noir, and postmodern sci fi, these are graphic novels that will stay with you long after the final page bandes dessinees bd for short are known as the ninth art in france and belgium. Im currently reading the first valerian book and enjoying it. But why is this any different from learning french with childrens books. The french have always had a certain je ne sais quoi for science fiction. Aug 02, 2017 this library is also probably the best place outside france to read french comic books. Sep 15, 2017 the boxes battered, overspilling were full of scifi comic books by french artists from the 60s and 70s, the likes of philippe druillet and jean moebius giraud, enki bilal and raymond poivet. Today french science fiction and fantasy comics exist as a cult phenomenon in the u. With this album the authors concluded the entire comic series with the intention to prevent the series from becoming weak, or staggering. How moebius revolutionised comic art creative bloq. Valerian et laureline helped inspire the sciencefiction landscape were. Christin and mezieres published the original valerian strips in pilote.
Jul 05, 2017 the lasting impact of the littleknown french scifi comic valerian. The magazine heavy metal is a spinoff of 1974s adultoriented scififantasy mag metal hurlant, and thats considered one of the better known examples. After melies, only a few french filmmakers have been tempted by the genre, but often with great success. Monthly comics and science fiction convention has special guests each month in addition to a large dealers room.
What are some good modern french language science fiction. The first was the arrival of three boxes, given to him before he reached his teens, by an aunt who strongly believed in extraterrestrials. These are the storiespast and presentthat helped define a genre. Valerian the complete collection volume 1 buds art. Hes best known for working with matt fraction on sex criminals, a deeply strange series about a librarian and an actor who discover they can freeze time by having sex. A huge chunk of the modern scifi canon owes its existence to one thing. Created by writer pierre christin and artist jean claude mezieres, valerian sci fi comics was first published in pilote magazine in 1967.
All of the valerian stories have been collected in comic album format, comprising some twentyone volumes plus a short story collection and an encyclopaedia. The 9 french graphic novels everyone should read frenchly. In time for luc bessons new film, heres the complete collection of valerian and laurelines adventures in english at last including one unpublished volume, a longer cut of another, a new interview and lots of details on the collaboration between the director and the authors. Prix phenix, best work of science fiction, valerian agent spatiotemporel, 1970. A comic strips than ran in the newspapers and were almost entirely aimed at an adult i. Theyre pretty diverse, adventures and jokes and unforgettable characters. One of the most interesting developments in european cultural life of the 1970s was the rise of baroque, intricate, sophisticated comic art tradition, and a veritable golden age of science fiction comic art in particular, led by such french magazines as metal hurlant, pilote and pif metal hurlant was later replicated in america as. Read this french comic that probably influenced star wars. This is a personal account as well as a space where i post retro scififantasy art that inspires me. Pierre christin created the scifi characters valerian and laureline for pilote magazine. Anyone have any recommendations for some french sci fi comics. May 19, 2012 i agree with the other suggestions barjavel, boule, bordage, gaborit. First published in the magazine pilote in the final installment was published in 2010. Publishers of the pilote magazine and home to famous comic books titles.
Because their previous publications, pilote and lecho des savanes, were unable to print a scifi comic anthology, they decided to do it themselves by starting a new publishing company with an accountant named bernard farkas, whom druillet claimed in an interview was a complete bullshitter who asked for a car six months after the. They are bilingual webcomics available online, completely free. Jul 06, 2017 today french science fiction and fantasy comics exist as a cult phenomenon in the u. I read in french as much as i read in english so i thought i would share some of the most.
The lasting impact of the littleknown french scifi comic. America, was not familiar with european scifi comic history. Valerian, blueberry, and the french edition of tintin comics. The french comics behind luc bessons valerian and the city of a. It remains an active and productive genre which has evolved in conjunction with anglophone science fiction and other french and international literature. Written by pierre christin and illustrated by jeanclaude. I agree with the other suggestions barjavel, boule, bordage, gaborit.
Major comics writers like rene goscinny, jeanmichel charlier, greg, pierre christin and jacques lob were featured in the magazine, as were artists such as jije, morris, albert uderzo, jean giraud, enki bilal, jeanclaude mezieres. Equinoxe, french cartoons, isaac asimov, ligne claire, bd comics, le far west. Jul 19, 2017 when luc bessons adaptation of the classic scifi comic valerian lands in movie theaters this week, itll be just a few months shy of the comic series 50th anniversary. Read this french comic that probably influenced star wars, before. There would be no star wars without this wild french comic from the 60s. First published in pilote magazine in 1967, the final installment was published in 2010. Science fiction illustrations by philippe druillet philippe druillet is a cartoonist and illustrator from toulouse, france. The french scifi comic that inspired blade runner and. To buy these books in english when such editions exist, try bud plant comic art or mars import. Jan 25, 2016 frenchspeaking comicbooks arent only tintin and the smurfs. Whether you want to plunge into a fantastic story, discover the everyday life of the typical french family or enter a world of adventure, political scandals and mystery, there is a french comic for you. Valerian and the city of a thousand planets the lasting impact of. Jan 17, 2020 whether you want to plunge into a fantastic story, discover the everyday life of the typical french family or enter a world of adventure, political scandals and mystery, there is a french comic for you.
This video goes over 10 interesting facts that prove that the original 1967 french valerian comic book series was a direct influence on the star wars franchi. We picked 30 of the greatest scifi stories ever told, excluding superheroes mostly. Hes best known for working with matt fraction on sex criminals, a deeply strange series about a librarian and an. This hard cover collection translated to english is gorgeous, and is a must have for fans of sci fi. It had an especially significant effect on luc besson. The top 5 science fiction comics ifanboy comic books. Both are available from online books sellers and all good book shops having been published in 2010 and 2011 respectively. While a number of these comics can be found online or bought on amazon, bookstores and comic shops, you can also borrow these books in a french cultural center near your place. Here are 19 of the most popular french language comics. On 22 january 2010, the last album, louvretemps the time opener, was published. These countries have a long tradition in comics separate from englishlanguage. This library is also probably the best place outside france to read french comic books. Valerian and laureline meet luke skywalker and leia by jean. Frenchspeaking comicbooks arent only tintin and the smurfs.
With the imminent release of luc bessons movie adaption, i wanted to read the back story origins of this eye popping movie. Literally howling metal in french, its influence has been cited by everyone from ridley scott to william gibson and the director of akira. Read these popular french comic books to beat boredom and boost learning. The professional, the scifi thriller lucy and scifi action movie the fifth element. One of my favorite nerdy things to do is look back at old scifi stories that lend influence to titles we know and love, and valerian and laureline fits that bill. Anyone have any recommendations for some french scifi comics. The french scifi comics that may have influenced star wars cinebook pierre christin and jeanclaude mezieres science fiction series valerian and laureline is one of the most influential french.
To buy them in french, order from the french equivalent of, fnac. The french scifi comics that may have influenced star wars. When luc bessons adaptation of the classic scifi comic valerian lands in movie theaters this week, itll be just a few months shy of the comic series 50th anniversary. Le serment des pecadous by wilfrid lupano, paris 2119 by zep, larmes dabeille by regis loisel, ordinary victories b. The french scifi comic that inspired blade runner and akira. May 19, 2014 the french have always had a certain je ne sais quoi for science fiction.
The pair first appeared in 1967 in the french magazine pilote. There would be no star wars without this wild french comic. Among the 50,000 volumes that line the walls are all the titles that first gave luc besson a glimpse of other worlds. Valerian and laureline is a french science fiction comics series, created by writer pierre christin and artist jeanclaude mezieres. This popular long running sci fi comic series has proved to be hugely influential for many science fiction films including. America, was not familiar with european sci fi comic history. Jan 27, 2016 if we start breaking weird down into subgenres and subsubgenres, wed have to name zdarsky the modern master of weirdfunnyscifi. Its one of the most influential scifi comic series ever, and with a luc. Next is a two page overview of the stories collected in valerian. While most people think of tights and capes when it comes to comics, there are incredible stories beyond superheroes that are worth exploring.
Theres some ol fashioned sexism which laureline regularly shoots down, the art is more newspaper comicy than comic booky, and it. French science fiction is a substantial genre of french literature. But while metal hurlant and incal were pushing french scifi and fantasy comics into more adult territory, belgian publisher casterman had been doing the same with less outlandish generic tropes. Lone sloane is a science fiction comics character created in 1966 by the french cartoonist philippe druillet. Mar 31, 2017 and among the countless little french children who fell in love with valerian and laureline was a 10yearold boy called luc besson, who would go on to become a filmmaker and direct such films as leon. The magazine heavy metal is a spinoff of 1974s adultoriented sci fi fantasy mag metal hurlant, and thats considered one of the better known examples. French sciencefiction sciencefiction francaise 122 books.
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