Asterix v1: “Asterix the Gaul”
And so it begins… Goscinny and Uderzo come together to tell the tale of the Gaulish village that held strong against Roman invasion. The Romans send in a spy and hilarity ensues.
Runners Up to the Top 10 Franco-Belgian Comics of 2017 (That I Read)
Coming up with a Top Ten list for 2017 was a tough task, and a lot of great books just barely missed it. Here’s where the final cuts were made. These are the runners-up.
Valentine v2
Valentine is having a bad week. A very bad week. And then the boy she pines over notices her and things start looking up. Teenage hijinks, manga, and handball — this is “Valentine.”
Valentine v1: An Exercise in La Nouvelle Manga
“Valentine” is a high school drama piece, starring a likable girl whose unrequited crush doesn’t know she’s there, and whose friends are a mix of troubles.
Top 10 Franco-Belgian Comics of 2017 (That I Read)
After reading more than 125 Franco-Belgian albums this year, I’ve arrived at list of ten series or books that I enjoyed the most. You get crime, drama, mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy, western, pirates, thriller, and humor.
Alone v3: “The Clan of the Shark”
The kids meet up with a large group of kids who’ve moved in to a pirate theme park, complete with a leader who is — well, questionable. Rabid dogs, killer sharks, water rides: this one has it all!
Valerian and Laureline v22: “Memories of the Future”
Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mezieres reunite in light of the movie in 2017 to do one more “Valerian and Laureline” book. This one is filled with shorts mostly set in-between pages of the original series. Revisit Point Central, Alflolol, and more!
“Portugal” by Cyril Pedrosa
A frustrated comic artist heads to a family wedding in Portugal, where he hopes to find new inspiration for his career and life. Stylish slice of life drama
Valerian and Laureline v21: “The Time Opener”
40+ years and 20+ books later, Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mezieres wrap up the Valerian and Laureline saga in epic style, featuring return appearances from a number of old friends.
Valerian and Laureline v20: “The Order of the Stones”
Christin and Mezieres bring back a bunch of characters to set up the final conflict of Valerian: Man versus Rock Monolith Creatures. The plot is just as crazy as the aliens… I don’t get it.