The Obscure Cities

Les Cités obscures (literally The Obscure Cities, but initially published in English as Cities of the Fantastic) is a graphic novel series set on a Counter-Earth, started by the Belgian comics artist François Schuiten and his friend, writer Benoît Peeters in the early 1980s. In this fictional world, humans live in independent city-states, each of which has developed a distinct civilization, each characterized by a distinctive architectural style. 

The world (or "continent", according to the authors) of the Cités obscures forms a disparate grouping of cities located on a "counter-Earth", which is invisible from our Earth because it is situated exactly opposite it on the other side of the Sun. Still, travel between the two worlds is possible by means of "gates" (portes) called Obscure Passages, which are mostly to be found in buildings and constructions similar or identical to each other on both planets, whereas the distinct architectural style of a structure makes it a potential candidate to harbor an Obscure Passage to an Obscure City whose distinct style it resembles. It is not uncommon for some Earthlings and inhabitants of the Cités obscures to actually come across each other (among the most notable of these travelers may be noted Jules Verne, a recurring personage in the series). On websites such as Web of the Obscure Cities (which is no longer online but is documented on AltaPlana.be, an online encyclopaedia for Obscure Cities) and Office of the Obscure Passages, Schuiten and Peeters present alleged reports, often illustrated with photos and drawings, from people that shortly crossed over into the world of the Obscure Cities via Obscure Passages by accident, and by so-called Obscurantists who have been seeking for Obscure Passages for years (compare Obscurantist, a term based upon the Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum, aka "Letters of Obscure Men"). These reports on the internet correspond to the pseudorealism of Schuiten and Peeters when enclosing "authentic" documentary or amateur CDs (Le Musée A. Desombres, 1990) or DVDs (L'affaire Desombres, 2002) to their print publications regarding the Obscure Cities.

Tiger Joe

Tiger Joe is a series of comics published the first time in 1950 in La Libre Belgique. Scenario: Charlier, Greg. Drawings: Hubinon, Forton, Pleyers. When the first pages appeared in La Libre Belgique in 1950 the country is still a colonial power since the Congo is attached to the flat country since 1908 after personal possession of the King of the Belgians. To this should be added since the end of World War I the Rwanda and Burundi German former colonies. Although the country is never mentioned by name, the first thumbnail indicates that the action is on the course of the tributaries of the Uele, which flows into the Ubangi which finally joins the river Congo. Furthermore it is also alluded to the locality of Mbura (2 e board) which would be located near the Lake Albert in the north-east. The writer gives other geographical indications including Blue Mountains (Plate 7). All this is coherent, particularly at the time, difficult to access. In short, the action takes place in a geographic area where the author can give free rein to his imagination without being (too) denied by the facts.

In creating this band Charlier adventures reproduces stereotypes which then during which the famous mysterious and wild Africa as envisioned by popular novels and films of the time. In this enthusiasm good child, he named his hero Tiger Joe, an experienced hunter who wanders from wealthy Europeans in search of thrills. Only problem there are no tigers in Africa and it is not clear therefore how the hero could have earned that nickname. By taking the series in the late 50 years Greg will not fool it by situating it in the Indian peninsula. Creating Hubinon Charlier and now includes 3 stories but in two cycles. For reasons albums published the first cycle has been split into two volumes of 45 pages each and is focused on finding the legendary elephant graveyard. Except Sheila Keeler, the last episode uses the same characters for an adventure of 46 boards. Note that Charlier will resume the principle of creating these exotic adventures shortly after for Spirou's character Kim Devil, this time the action is transposed in the Amazon. Gérald Forton will be the designer of this short series is also he who will resume following the adventures of Joe Tiger in 1958 on scenarios of Greg.

Alix Senator

In September 12, 2012 the first volume of Alix Senator titled Eagles Blood 3 has been released , written by Valérie Mangin and designed by Thierry Démarez. The story of Senator Alix takes place when Augustus was named emperor, more than twenty years after the adventures of Alix. Alix became a senator and lives in Rome with his son Titus and Chephren's son Enak (the latter apparently died in Egypt in circumstances still unknown following the death of Cleopatra and Mark Antony). The savage murder of his friend Agrippa (brother of Augustus) by an eagle with golden talons the fate of his adventurous retirement. Who could commit such a crime and why? Both children attend in his task. 

12 BC. Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, chief pontiff of Rome, Agrippa, designated successor of the powerful Emperor Augustus, are mysteriously murdered by eagles tearing the bowels. Alarmed by these events, Auguste load his old friend Senator Gracchus Alix investigate discreetly. An investigation will lead Alix, assisted by his son Titus and Khafre (own offspring Enak, Alix adopted after the disappearance of it) on the trail of the enigmatic master of birds. Yet the danger persists to proceed further to the emperor in person, more and more closely. And Alix will finally discover that the most dangerous raptors nestles in the heart of Rome, where no one could suspect.

Gallows Bird

Gallows Bird is a series of Western comic. Scenario: François Capuron, Fred Duval. Drawings: Fabrice Jarzaquet. Colours: Isabelle Rabarot (volumes 1-3), Scarlett (Volume 4). 

When the 14 April 1865 General Lee signed the surrender of the Confederates at Appomattox, it ends the conflict between North and South of the United States for four long years. The conquest of the West, begun in recent decades, therefore becomes the main focus of American history. During and after the Civil War, the perilous journey of a family of Southerners, accompanied by an Indian fugitive, through Western United States to escape the Northern authorities. USA, 1865. The American Civil War to a close. Mrs. Granger no longer has a single goal: to find her husband, prisoner of the Yankees. While it is held at Fort Mac Laglen and resistant to harsh interrogation blue tunics, she will even steal dollars for the repair of the church of the village of Church Hill! A heist organized family, whose profits will be used to raise an army, and take his man leg of his enemies.

Alone

Alone is a series of adventure fantastic Franco-Belgian comic written by Fabien Vehlmann and designed by Bruno Gazzotti for the magazine Spirou. It was published in hardback albums by Editions Dupuis from January 2006. In 2015, it has nine albums, five undergraduate and second cycle with four. This series was twice awarded a Prix Jeunesse 9-12 years in Angoulême Festival in 2007 and 2010. It also received two Grand Prix du Journal de Mickey. It should count total twenty albums. 

After the sudden and unexplained disappearance of the inhabitants of Fortville, five children to defend for themselves in a world without adults. Things will get worse when they discover that they are in a replica of the real world called "the world of limbo" and they are the prey of mysterious "15 families". Would Fortville's different from other children? And if one of them would be what the family calls the 15th "Midnight Children"?

Sabre and Sword

Sabre and Sword is a series of martial arts bande desinee. Screenplay: David Chauvel. Drawings: Hervé Boivin. Colours: Christophe Araldi, Xavier Basset. 

In a small village lost in the vastness of medieval China, the young and naives Wu Gang challenges kill all the warriors of passage. Taking the technique of the deceased master Fei, he takes on the role of protector of the village against all potential external threats. Until one day an old man armed with a broken sword convinces the young man not to engage. Wu Gang is thus driven from the village and chases the old man to defeat him. Wu Gang defies all the warriors through his village. But when an old man with a broken sword comes, he must let him go. Subject jeers of the villagers, Wu Gang from swearing to bring back the head of the traveler. The latter, faced the same evening with three demons will take her a long adventure.

General Store

General Store is a series of comic jointly by Régis Loisel and Jean-Louis Tripp, whose theme is Régis Loisel adaptation and Quebec Frenchare Jimmy Beaulieu. The authors describe the life of a small village in Quebec in the late 1920s. First pre-published in Belgium in the newspaper Le Soir and France in the magazine BoDoï. The series ends in 2014 with the publication of the ninth volume. The latter is in the Official Selection at the Angoulême Festival in 2015. The series was a great success with critics and audiences, with over a million sold albums. 

General Store Series describes the quiet life of Notre-Dame-des-Lacs, a village in rural Quebec. Marie, a young widow, does the General Store which it inherits the death of her husband. She must show strong take to get to the hotel while being overwhelmed by her grief. After some time, she finds a mysterious stranger on the side of the road, Serge. His motorcycle being paralyzed by the first snowfall, Mary decides to host it in an adjacent barn to shop.