If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that comics are treated… a little differently in Europe. Not happy with just putting out frenetic, bombastic superhero comics (which I do love), there’s a definite focus on more mature and artistic themes.
Case in point, the fantastic people at Europe Comics have sent along the following previews. The first two are new releases, available now, and the others are soon to be released (next week). Take a look…
DELACROIX
Script by Catherine Meurisse – Art by Catherine Meurisse
In 1864, a year after the death of Eugène Delacroix, Alexandre Dumas recounted the memories that marked his friendship with the great painter. From one anecdote to the next, Dumas’ text reveals the personality of both painter and writer. All the while, a colorful portrait of the period takes shape; a period in which works of art are subject to fiery debates, intense admiration, and irrevocable rejection. With humor and passion, Catherine Meurisse invites herself into this very personal adaptation of Dumas’ tribute to his friend.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER
Script by Jean-Luc Fromental – Art by Philippe Berthet
Arizona, 1948. Novelist François Combe has taken up residence with his wife, his son, and his mistress in the strange no man’s land of the Santa Cruz Valley. His imagination is sparked by the surrounding desert, its ghost towns, and other vestiges of the pioneer past. The present, too, draws him in, especially in the border town of Nogales, where luxury and lust come together against a backdrop of misery and servitude… and where games of the flesh are paid for in blood. Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the border.
INCREDIBLE!
Script by Zabus – Art by Hippolyte
Jean-Loup is 11 years old and lives with his dad—and he’s afraid of everything. So he stays in his bedroom, hiding behind his OCD as he collects facts and figures on every conceivable subject and classifies them on thousands of numbered cards. If only he had someone to share them with. He’ll soon have his chance at school, but getting up in front of the class is the scariest thing of all. Then, on the morning of the presentation, at 7:29 and 57 seconds, something incredible happens that will change his life forever… A humorous, moving story brought to life by Hippolyte’s timeless illustrations, reminiscent of Sempé.
TANZ!
PART 1
Script by Maurane Mazars – Art by Maurane Mazars
Germany, April 1957. Uli has a dream: to become a famous Broadway dancer. But as a modern dance student at the prestigious Folkwang school, Uli’s energetic and outgoing personality stands out in sharp contrast to the melancholy of post-war Europe. During a trip to Berlin, he meets Anthony, a young American dancer. The attraction is immediate. Anthony convinces Uli to come to New York and try his luck on Broadway. The young men part ways, but Uli will pack his bags and embark on an adventure that will take him to a new life overflowing with life, color, and movement — but also disappointment, harsh reality, and a good dose of heartbreak.
