Enter Bandes Dessinées: The Best-Kept Secret in Comics

If you think one has to choose between SJW superheroes... or the idiosyncratic art of Manga... Good news! You don't.
France has been quietly producing better comic books than American and Japan for decades.
If you'd like to read my translations of the comics I mentioned, find them below.
Vol 1:
www.mediafire.com/file/qvvih2...
Vol 2:
www.mediafire.com/file/fys4dg...
Vol 3:
www.mediafire.com/file/vyox71...
Vol 4:
www.mediafire.com/file/q93by9...
Vol 5:
www.mediafire.com/file/5zrnd0...
Vol 6:
www.mediafire.com/file/5hohym...
Vol. 7:
www.mediafire.com/file/t1x1rf...
Vol 8:
www.mediafire.com/file/wlpap2...
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[@TheRageaholic]

This is a re-uploaded version, due to a spurious copyright claim. I actually added some interview stuff, rather than simply cut. Godspeed, and enjoy!

[@mr.smith45]

Okay nice I was like wtf I know I've heard this before

[@comical4609]

Yeah I thought I was having a deja vu.

[@bobmaster4917]

Fun fact : i'm from Paris and yesterday i was hanging around the Saint-Michel area (where all the cool BD shops are), and i was desperately looking for this video on your channel, and of course it has been re-uploaded the day right AFTER that. Life sucks sometimes. There was a ton of cheap Blueberry bds though 🤠

[@Bolththrower]

I was about to say. Hold up I've seen this vid.

[@dantheanimator5072]

Thanks Razor…..i just spent 100s of bucks on some of these and i feel like a poser who just left his sort of friends house after putting two of their comics under my shirt thinking “gotta make it out of here with these gems, gotta make it out….”

[@alidaraie]

France's comic and animation industry is probably the most overlooked media in the world.

[@live2rock13]

For my money, it's on purpose. The microsecond the average comic buyer sees just how much more beautiful the art, and less spergy the stories are compared to Marvel or DC, it's over.

[@glomibabel1894]

the problem with france's comic is there aren't powerful animation industry in france. (anime is publicity of manga)

[@redwithblackstripes]

@@live2rock13 Its an absolute nuclear bomb for the American comic industry, now you understand why there is no push for it statesides...

[@cepho8349]

​@@glomibabel1894Lol you couldn't be any more wrong. France has a huge animation industry. But their movies and series don't reach the same audience that anime does.

[@TemplarX2]

Franco-Belgian comics is pure art.

[@SeekerOfTheMoon]

Since Razor Fist mentioned a Conan comic that was more true to Robert E. Howard's stories I bought the first The Cimmerian. Now I'm 3 volumes deep and I love it. Hail BD and Hail the Iron Age!

[@Genethagenius]

While those are great, still love and prefer the art and stories of “The Savage Sword of Conan”! Check out the work of writer Roy Thomas and art of John Buscema (among others). Roy Thomas may just be the most unappreciated “Conan” writer.

[@chubbbubb6870]

@@Genethagenius always nice to see Roy getting some appreciation for his Conan work.

[@NickNapoli]

Thank you Razörfist for recommending pulp, noir and bandes dessinees from France.

[@NickNapoli]

@bastiat hell yeah, especially his metal recommendations.

[@kaimanthelizardwizard1248]

@bastiat He doesn't miss

[@Yxcell]

Timeline for convenience: 00:00 - Intro 02:53 - #5 ~ 'The Long Tomorrow' 08:51 - #4 ~ 'Servitude' 11:34 - #3 ~ 'Undertaker' (+ 'Blueberry') 17:33 - #2 ~ 'Conan: The Cimmerian' 22:12 - #1 ~ 'Durango' 26:05 - Outro

[@worldcomicsreview354]

I was watching the Bakuman anime, one character wanted to be a manga artist, while his parents wanted to pack him off to Paris so he could study to be a fine artist. If only he'd known, eh?

[@prot07ype87]

Would you recommend Bakuman?

[@bottomtext]

@@prot07ype87 I would

[@tylerjames805]

@@prot07ype87I also would

[@willharper1326]

I really like that Razor still tries to turn people on to good storytelling, and entertainment. Actually trying to suggest new things to get into. A lot of people get so caught up in drama, and the culture war. They forget to actually try and help people get away from it.

[@NukeA6]

Exactly! It also turns out many of those commentary channels are really doing that for the money and even at times admit it (subtlety or unintentionally). The only others that are anything like RazorFist are Thinking Critical (he's strictly Western comics though) and One Angry Gamer before Billy was forced to step down. That's it.

[@patricklemire9278]

Yep. I was blown away the volume and quality of comic book stores in Paris.

[@dagoelius]

I have fond memories growing up reading all the Asterix & Obelix and Adventures of Tin-Tin books.

[@videomirador]

Same here. And I still happily read them

[@JonDelArroz]

I keep trying to spread the word fo this. Read Valerian! Magnetic Press keeps putting out great kickstarters of euro-comics too. Europe's got the best comics by far.

[@kostasgiannakakis526]

Great introduction to the legendary French comic book scene. Having been born and raised in a European country (Greece), French and Belgian comics have been translated and sold here since the '60s. The market for BDs was bigger than for American comics. Hell, I even started learning French by reading BDs! 🤓 The quality of art and stories and the variety of genres is staggering. As usual, the French have taken a popular form and elevated it into high art. A lot of these panels belong to art galleries. I highly recommend Americans look into BDs. It's a rabbit hole that will lead you to a real Garden of Delights 😀

[@jediraptor07]

Razor, if you haven't already done so, definitely check out the Blacksad series. Not sure if it counts as Bandes Dessinees because it is written by two Spanish creators, but it is published by a French company in both Spanish and French. An English translation of the series is available. It's a pulp noir series set in the 50s where the characters are all anthropomorphic animals, but it's not a "furry" comic or "cutesy," it's hardcore, hardboiled pulp. Extremely well-written with gorgeous art.

[@nuclearmedicineman6270]

I was just about to say that. Saved me some time.

[@majordbag2]

Funny enough Razor just did an razorfist arcade episode based on the game, looked interesting.

[@lesfreresdelaquote1176]

My favorite series by far...

[@redwithblackstripes]

Its BD for sure, BD is originally "Franco/Belgian" but thanks to its popularity in Europe it basically became the de-facto European style.

[@ironfistovwudang3485]

I had no idea Heavy Metal comics originated in Bandes Desinées. Consider my mind blown and you've officially sold me on french comics dude. Going to try pick up whatever I can.

[@videomirador]

It's from the original Metal Hurlant which the Americans localized

[@terryfaugno9242]

Been a big fan of BDs and the Franco-Belgian comics for ages. The French and the Belgians have a really refreshing POV both from story lines and art style. Digging "Once And Future", a very dark twist on the Arthurian legends, but also love the classics like Moebius (Airtight Garage, Arzac, the John DiFool books, etc) and others like Aldebaran, Wake (Sillage in the original French) and Chronicles Of Ythaq, etc.

[@memepolice6624]

Glad to see Moebius's work be shared to new viewers, may he rest in peace. The French comic has always been under-rated in America, even the Japanese seem to take more notice than we do, but I hope this ignites more people to the beautiful illustrations from France.

[@kurington.blogspot7876]

My absolute favourite BD artists is André Franquin. His Spirou, Gaston, Marsupilami and Idées Noires are works of genius.

[@jfb.8746]

Yes, he had a natural talent. I grew up with those bd.

[@camembert101]

Being from Quebec,i grew up reading those.And there was so much stuff to choose from. A serie that was good was "Alix".It's the story of a young Gaul slave in the time of Jules Cesar.He then gets 'adopted' in a roman family.40 books. Another one is "Yoko Tsuno",a young Japanese engineer.This one is sci-fi.30 books.And some of them have been translated in english. There's the usual,Lucky Luke,Asterix,Tintin,Spirou.

[@videomirador]

Man you read my library!:)

[@ash_durant6071]

Yoko Tsuno by Roger Leloup is one of my all-time favorites. That and most of the work by Andreas, François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters, Paul Gillon and Jean Claude Forest.

[@camembert101]

@@videomirador i cut short.Achille Talon,Buck Danny.Les 4 As.Les Schtroumphs.Le Marsupilami.Boule et Bill. I also remember reading some that were made from the novels of Jules Verne.The library we had a my high school must had a fan of the stuff,because we had tons of it :)

[@videomirador]

@@camembert101 yup. Gaston Legaffe,Spirou

[@worldcomicsreview354]

I found a book of Alix at a shop in Japan, need to get round to "reading" that, it looks good

[@resistancepublishing]

One thing I learned from listening to the French creators, they are passionate and true to the books they’re working on. Two things that American comics do not have

[@Tyler_W]

Not most cape comics anyway.

[@resistancepublishing]

@@Tyler_W yes exactly

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

Anymore. To be fair, the Big Two used to have people of passion but Elvis has long since left the building there. Once, they were keepers of the flame. Now they're just flamers.

[@resistancepublishing]

@@The_Mighty_Fiction my thoughts exactly

[@bluelick7578]

If you have no passions, are you even truly alive?

[@sesimie]

Heavy Metal grabbed me as a teen boy looking for Savage Sword of Conan and more "Adult" stuff. I learnt of Julie Strain, Druuna and Manara stuff and boy as it nothing like anything on the American side. This was no Tin Tin...this was my introduction to Erotica. Also I became a Metalhead at the same time lol!

[@beargenxgm]

Fortunately growing up in Quebec means I've been around BD all my life. I really hope it takes off more in English North America. Thank you Razorfist for this fantastic video :)

[@MA-ck4wu]

I found this collection of dusty, very old Blueberry volumes at my local library and they had prices for a handful of countries on each cover, and I was surprised to see the price in Canadian dollars was also listed. So, even 50+ years ago, French comics were being distributed in the French-speaking part of Canada.

[@thinkinyblinko6666]

For another great comic/graphic novel check out Shakara. It's about the last member of a supremely advanced and violent race of killer robots traversing the galaxy avenging his fallen species, killing everyone responsible. It's badass.

[@CosmicG777]

I'll check it out if you check out Requiem Vampire Knight.

[@harbl99]

I remember when _2000AD_ serialized it. Like a cross between early _Nemesis the Warlock_ and _The Silver Surfer_ . Absolute "Wut?" fare, but the wild visuals kept you turning the page.

[@worldcomicsreview354]

That's the second time I've seen a recommend of Shakara this week! I thought I was the only one who remembered it.

[@NukeA6]

That's probably the most metal sci-fi comic I've read. If 2000AD has more of that, I'm sold.

[@WhiteIkiryo-yt2it]

That sounds awesome.

[@zvonimirtomac7896]

Okay, I gotta admit, Razor, you did get me interested in checking out French comics (provided I can find them in English or my native language since I don't understand French). Checked out your recommendations and I wasn't disappointed. I hope to see you cover more of them in the future.

[@CosmicG777]

If I could give you another recommendation, maybe check out Requiem Vampire Knight. It's my favorite comic book of all time, let alone favorite French comic. The detail and the writing is top notch. It started off in the Metal Hurlant book that Razor mentions.

[@zvonimirtomac7896]

@@CosmicG777 Thanks for the recommend. I'll be sure to check that out

[@videomirador]

That's a fun BD and the art is really fantastic

[@Danarogon]

I highly recommend The Metabarons. Single best and weirdest comic I personally ever read. Written by the funny man at the end of Rages video.

[@worldcomicsreview354]

@@CosmicG777 Wasn't it a PS1/2 era game, too? There was also XIII on the PS2, which was quite obviously based on a comic, considering it even had sound effects!

[@a.nonymouse]

I remember doing an English as a Second Language course in Paris back in 2006 and how funny it was to walk into comic book stores that had anime figurines and so many genres of books, both black and white and color and to see so many business dudes in suits reading them. Then contrast that with the typical audience you see in your own country.

[@AkuTenshiiZero]

One of the side effects of learning about bandes dessinées is that in learning to identify the French style of sci-fi, I realized that one of my favorite Sci-Fi movies, The Fifth Element, is _ridiculously_ French. Honestly, I probably would be reading this stuff if it was even a quarter as ubiquitous in the USA as manga is. I remember I used to like Heavy Metal before it started getting all Current Year.

[@baron_von_noob3117]

The comic book industry over here in Europe is vastly different than the US. Growing up in the Netherlands, outside of the odd Batman comic, the superhero genre was barely out there. Everything from comedy to sci-fi was being published here though. From the French juggernauts to Don Lawrence's Storm (A comic that still runs the same storyline since the mid 70's), and tons of other Belgian, Dutch, English comics. The variety of genres over here is much higher than in the US.

[@glomibabel1894]

european here (spanish) the threat here is manga. :(

[@bvdemier1]

Razorfist makes a 26-minute video where he makes a couple of jabs at manga in the opening minutes and then spends 24 minutes talking about how good bandes dessinées is. The worst of Otaku on twitter : REEEEEEEE, HOW DARE HE SHIT ON MANGA.

[@Shadow_Sonata]

I'm a major anime / manga fan and even I admit there are ones that are passable (most of the commercials for manga and merch series), overrated ( Evangelion) and not really worth it ( Big-O. An attempt to cross mecha anime with film noir and not quite getting it). It's great to have other things to look into and Bandes Dessinées is one of them.

[@stefanoagrimi8074]

Also worth adding that most top artist in the field of comics/manga do know bande dessines and have been influenced by it

[@ADayintheLifeoftheTw]

The issue with most mangaka is that they don't have the life experience to fuel their imagination or create something truly memorable. There is a reason why most characters are in and around school and all introverts with magical powers. While older western writers and artists have experienced and lived through half a dozen "adventures" to then allow them to make something memorable.

[@caramelconundrum9280]

Requiem by Olivier Ledroit is my favorite series from France. It’s fookin’ awesome.

[@robcoguy6909]

I learned about french comics back in the day when i was like 11 and would get my mom to buy me Heavy Metal Magazine (circa 1992). Since then its inspired my art and opened up a whole new world of crazy foreign arthouse storytelling in various formats that definitely rival what we would consider masterpieces here . Check out "On the Silver Globe" from 1987, its a strange dune esque masterpiece with a wild production history.

[@Thollis1987]

Your mom is pretty cool letting you own Heavy Metal magazine.

[@jackdeespadas]

Got myself "The long tomorrow" and it's so beautiful, thank you Razör. BTW, we sold a SHIT TON of Bandes Dessinées (known as European Comics here in Argentina) in our Stand in Crack Bang Bum, the biggest Comic Event in the nation. People love them here, and in the last 3 years they got even more interested in them. Many of the great Argentinian comic creators were much more famous in France, Spain and Italy than here. Hugo Pratts lived 10 years in Argentina and we take him as ours, him and Manara are considered legends here (As Moebius and Jodorosky). We even sold a ton of Spanish Translated Metal Hurlants from the 80s and the many Argentinian and Spanish clones like Fierro and Totem or Cimoc magazines. LONG LIVE BANDES DESSINÉES!

[@TheRageaholic]

Oscar Chichoni is a great Argentinian artist, featured heavily in BD.

[@jackdeespadas]

@@TheRageaholic We have his Mekanika Artbook Signed, in the previous version of the event (2018), he was one of the guests and came browse our stand and was delighted we had a version he had gifted years ago. We gifted him one and he signed 2 for us, one to keep one to sell. The Crown Jewel of our store. He chatted with us for half and hour, super kind guy, really humble.

[@worldcomicsreview354]

Did Jose Maria Jorge do much in Argentinian comics? He did amazing work for Commando in the UK, mostly air force stories but also the occasional (and underrated) submarine story, too. Oddly fittingly, the last Commando he did was set around Dundee in Scotland, where Commando is published!

[@DicePunk]

Thanks for pointing me this way. Awesome video and great recommendations.

[@topster888]

Screw you Razor, after watching this I bought one volume of the Cimmerian and now I'm down $250 from all the BDs I've bought since.

[@roml1289]

What titles did you buy on top of the Cimmerian ?

[@topster888]

@@roml1289 I got 4 Elric books, 3 Arawn books, 1 Blacksad, and 3 Durango. And a few others I'm forgetting.

[@deezee2965]

Hey Razor! Don't hesitate to recomand some more BD's in the future!

[@un-for-given]

Tintin, Astérix, Léonard, Lucky Luke... all BDs from my childhood. I think we can still buy those in Quebec, Canada.

[@TheChryslerBuilding2024]

I know several places to buy them in Montreal. Did you ever read Le Scrameustache series?

[@SweetandFullofGrace]

Holy shit the details and style on those graphic novels. EDIT: just ordered the Conans

[@fritzthecat8158]

Moebius was a God among men. There are few things in this world that feel like gettin your knob slobbed and moebius' line work is one of em

[@tiredman4540]

To add to the beautiful and sophisticated world of French Bande Desinees, there is another world of comics that even fewer people have heard of; Italian comics! They seem to take inspiration from Hollywood or yore (don't worry guys, back when Hollywood was great!) but have gone their own way - Dylan Dog a paranormal investigator - brilliant artwork! But also historical stories, romance, hard boiled detective stories and if you haven't read any Corto Maltese stories, go and get yourself one! Well worth your time to do an episode on this!

[@BazztheBazz]

Really digging the Cimmerian, Undertaker, and Durango. Thanks for the recommendations!

[@Thehotdogman]

I've been waiting years for this video. I was not disappointed. Thank you for giving us a primer on a whole new facet of comic storytelling.

[@roboguy75]

Actually if you want a batshit crazy thing from France it’s actually a mature animated show called Crisis Jung. It’s essentially French Fist of the North Star but also, well, let’s just say exotic type.

[@benjamintherogue2421]

I've always felt that the French have had a very unique and sometimes quite intense animation and art scene for a very long time. I can hardly ever find any of it over here in the states though. When I saw this video, I knew I had to check it out to see if this rage machine couldn't correct that for me.

[@FlorisDVijfde]

So glad Razorfists acknowledges how mature and good European comics are. And France is the most proud and prolific center of it. As for stellar French sci fi I can recommend Technopriests comics and the more recent Conquests (Jarry, Benot, Heban). As for stellar European comics: Storm (Don Lawrence) and Thorgal (Rosinski) are ABSOLUTE musts.

[@anomonyous]

*Narrows eyes in Belgian.

[@FlorisDVijfde]

@@anomonyous Thorgal is sorta Belgian at least the stories are. Plenty of quality comics from there, not just Tintin/Kuifje. I was a huge fan of Turk en de Groot: Robin Hoed and Clifton. Loved Dommel (Dupa) as well.

[@kevindorn2508]

When i was a child i saw a french science fiction comic an older family friend gave me. It was for adults and i sadly cant remember it. Also it was in french and im german, so i couldnt understand a word. But what i remember is that the art completely blew me away and probably kickstartet my love for comics, art and science fiction. I spend an eternity looking at all the details. I wish i could remember it...it would surely give me a nostalgia flash of epic proportions :)

[@geralousa945]

Merci RazorFist ! Vive la BD Franco belge ! Salut les ricains !

[@nicholascollins4907]

I’ve been following Bandes Dessinees since ‘05. I’m so happy someone brought this up!

[@tenbones1274]

I've been reading this stuff for decades. Make me happy to see French comics getting some love by Razor. Metabarons/Incal are obvious choices.

[@thibaldus3]

As long time French viewer, this ideo is a surprise... But a welcome one. Bonne journée, Razor.

[@darkroninmarvel]

Funny enough, I grew up reading Asterix and Tintin, I started reading DC and Marvel when I reached my teenage years. Yes I like manga, but discarding bande dessinée is borderline foolish because some mangas were, influenced by bande dessinée, mainly Moebius' work, your welcome Nausicaa Valley of the wind, Akira and panzer dragoon

[@Akranejames]

Yeah, that's the funny thing, the French started the flame of "manga" in a lot of ways and are now in return fueled by it. There's a reason France seem to be loved by Japan; they for some reason have developed a lot of cultural connections.

[@darkroninmarvel]

@@Akranejames in fact Miyazaki and Moebius became friends afterwards

[@wukong7656]

@@Akranejames stop tripping, Osamu Tezuka is the one who started the flame. Yes Mœbius inspired there and there and also that’s the only name I keep on hearing no other French name

[@powderedtoastman3516]

While I haven't gotten anything mentioned in this video yet it did motivate me to look into bandes dessinées and I wound up buying Jacques Tardi's WW1 collection. I blew through both books in about 5 nights of reading and I was extremely happy with it. Thank you for your service and God Fuckin Speed!

[@lilrosebush]

I’ll read anything you tell me once razor. After I listened to the Elric audiobooks, I was saddled to this channel for the long haul

[@antigrav6004]

Thorgal is a top notch sword and sorcery comic we've only had translated recently. Recommended.

[@375hhshooter]

Thank you for this. I now have a good reason to get my girlfriend, a French speaker, to help me read French. All wile getting her to read comics starting with Blueberry.

[@shadowangel6359]

Considering France also revolutionized horror with the Grand Guignol, this is not even surprising to me. I really need to read Elric of Melnibone now

[@eatsh1t]

The French have exquisite taste, just like the Japanese, in many forms of culture, especially comics

[@thegunslinger8806]

Ah yes so exquisite they conform to the same style.

[@chaptermasterpedrokantor1623]

@@thegunslinger8806 As opposed to Marvel and DC? Or manga? Of course they have their own style. That's what makes them so interesting. it is a different style.

[@Zal0vid]

The French actually love manga

[@chaosgyro]

And yet both of their porn requires copious brain bleach

[@heroesytumbas]

Yeah, they have a sweetooth for "diversity", and the japanese love their cartoon schoolgirls. Exquisite cultural taste.

[@punicslayer3085]

Checked out the thorgal bd you recommended and I love it. I just ordered the second volume as well as the 1st Cimmerian volume. Thanks for getting me back into comics you magnificent bastard.

Yes, welcome to the Euro comics. We offer longer coherent stories, better writing, and infinitely better interior art that's also much more varied. And no fukkin spandex super heroes with world/universe/multiverse ending stakes. Cheers. :) Oh, and did I mention that the interior art is much better?

[@SkipEdwardsArt]

Travis Charest moved to France and did weapons of the metabaron. I love the idea of an artist taking a year and releasing long form volumes of BD over comics. That’s what I’m trying to accomplish myself

[@nathansteinfromarkham7109]

Benefits of this channel: being introduced to new and passionately made things.

[@ash_durant6071]

Other recommendations are Vicente Segrelles Mercenary and the work of Enkil Bilal, which were also featured in Heavy Metal in the past. If you are into less gritty and more stylish suspense/sci-fi stories I can also recommend the Yoko Tsuno series by Roger Leloup and the works of Paul Gillon and Jean Claude Forest. Do not forget Jean Claude Mezieres a good friend of Giraud who did Valerian, which was a huge inspiration to George Lucas (just like the work of Giraud).

[@videomirador]

There Blake Steven's, XIi, Barbre rouge, etc.

[@ash_durant6071]

@@videomirador Oh yeah and the works of artists like François Bourgeon (almost non of which has been translated to English) and German artist Andreas (titels like Rork and Capricornus) and the stylish work of François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters (Les Cités Obscures ). Like Razor points out, there is just such an embarrassment of riches here.

[@RaichuWizDom]

Repeating the recommendations and remarks on the previous upload, with an addition. First, keep in mind the BD industry is not exlusively French, but has strong ties to Belgium, both the Flemish and Wallonian side of things. That's Dutch-speaking and French-speaking, but culturally considered distinct from the countries they border. That's not a slight, but a remark, in that Walloons and French aren't quite the same, and that may show in their art or themes. Anyway, with that in mind, a repeat. Not sure if they're available state-side, but if you ever go on a trip to stock up, maybe this'll excite you. Le grand pouvoir du Chninkel. Basically what would happen if Tolkien wrote the New Testament and set it in Mad Max. Yes, really. Graphic novel (quite graphic in places), hardcover, black and white goodness. Reynaert de Vos, the version by Marc Legendre and Rene Goens. The story is an old one with many versions, like the Greek myths, but this is the Flemish one rendered in properly Medieval-looking painterly artwork and a translation that respects both modern rules of grammar and old tone. To give you an idea of how big this story was: vampires aren't called Draculas. Pegasi are named after the singular legendary Pegasus. This story's main character is (allegedly) why the French call foxes 'renards.' If you're going to study Dutch or Flemish history, you're going to run across this story at some point or another. It was also part of the inspiration for Disney's Robin Hood, at least for the choice of animals. For those looking to shop locally in Antwerp or Ghent or Malines, there's plenty of stuff to choose from, but recently Dupuis (Google them, big publisher) started releasing 'Integraal' comics, which is a re-publishing or even a first-time publishing of every story in a certain series. Since a lot of the material was initially meant for magazines and varied in length, some stuff was just never in stores until now. Notable examples include Johan en Pirrewiet, which is the original series the Smurfs made their first appearance in. Yes, The Smurfs were side characters originally, they only got their own series *after* they'd been established and hinted at some popularity. Another notable example, though smaller in scale, is "Aurora and Ulysses: Centaurs". So far only the first half has been released, but it is highly recommended if you like your more 'kiddy' comic books to still involve guns and harsher themes. Think Hannah Barbera cartoon with Don Bluth's brand of cruelty mixed in, along with a recurring thing about redemption. More generally, for those looking to learn a new language: French has got you covered with BD in general, and the French-Canadian cartoons will help a lot in getting comprehension down. Some of the old Asterix films are on KZbin, and they hold up well, so it won't be too much of a slog. If you want the same for Dutch, there's 'Als je Begrijpt Wat ik Bedoel,' which is the first Dutch animated film ever, and also based on a comic book. Bronies, especially, will recognise a few things straight-up lifted out of that movie. Beyond that, there is Jan Zonder Vrees, which is based on a children's novel and not a bad one at that. The source material is available for free online, the author's name is C. de Kinder. Easiest way to describe would be... A Saitama precursor in medieval Antwerp, told with the same sort of prose style as King Solomon's Mines. Lots of descriptions, long tangents to really set in the mood, acquired taste but great if you're into that sort of thing.

[@xmobius0ne]

One of my most prized processions is my collection of every Heavy Metal issue from 1979 - 1986. I adore those comics

[@Caffeine_Club]

I was an avid collector of Heavy Metal in the late 80s and throughout the 90s. It had some of the best stories I've ever read. Well worth picking up old issues if you can find them. 👍

[@thh420]

my uncle had every issue from 1, till the fall 2004 issue. there's some real gems in the early issues. like tex arcana.

[@ericlinegar2439]

Thank you so much for supplying your translated versions of Durango. I can't wait to read them!

[@augustobautista7350]

Just want to say I feel blessed to have found this video.....

[@ethantoise4073]

Stan Lee: "This is really good, how could it have been drawn by a Frenchman?"

[@ArgentWolf95]

Thank you Razor. You have just unveiled a whole new set of awesome for me to hunt down! It's about time other countries than Japan and America get noticed for their great stuff. As a Brit. I gotta give it to the French. You done something we couldn't do! Vive La France! I hated this false dichotomy of Marvel/ DC vs Manga, with anime and manga being the only alternative. I like a bit of both sides of those, but you're looking with tunnel vision if I also got looking in other places, mostly not comics in my case, but I gotta say you're my go to guy for what comics to get into man. I don't know how big BD is here in UK, but I gotta get these when I can scrap up the cash and time to read. I got a backlog and none of it is Marvel, DC or manga. I'm both surprised and amazed that Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, and Deus Ex all have a culture ancestor, and it's a French one! It's good to see Conan. I had no idea that France and Belgium did so much Westerns.

[@glomibabel1894]

main publishers are glenat, delcourt, soleil, dargaud, humanoids, grand angle bd, you can search there comic and after search in your language.

[@barttcounts8456]

My big brother had Heavy Metal & Omni when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I didn't understand it, but I read those books over & over. Heavy Metal became the most sought-after magazine (and movie) ever & I didn't hear about it again until about 1992, when HM was re-released. The Gray muff segment was pretty popular with my friends😂

[@bnbnism]

Nice of you to reupload and add content to it. Keep up the good work Razorfist. Would love to see another Elric video or maybe more graphic novel recommendations outside of DC and Marvel.

[@robertelrod7840]

Awesome video,I'm sure it will get more people checking out French comics. It actually got me thinking about the scene in Crimson Tide about Mobius vs Kirby and as much as I love Kirby's work,Mobius will always be my favourite comic book artist.

[@davidgusquiloor2665]

Sad that this had to be re-uploaded. KZbin and it's copyright system sucks. That being said, if it wasnt for you i would have missed some great BD's just because i never gave the french a chance, thanks man.

[@FrankR_23]

Thanks for the two new translations, they’re appreciated!

[@StoneMasonComix]

Razor, I disagree with you a lot on Manga. I think they're some of the best comics I've ever read bar none. BUT thank you for broadening my horizons as I've added plenty of French comics to my shelves with more to be added in the future I'm sure.

[@blakedavis2447]

He can be a bit of a hipster and I think his perception is largely based on late 90s/ early 2000s anime and not what it is in its current form. Just look at the pictures he shows when he mentions manga they’re all 15+ years old. I guarantee if he read berserk, Vinland saga or chainsaw man he’d change his mind on what manga really is. But despite saying it’s not east vs west it’s still east vs west and he’s choosing France which he likes over japan which he thinks is weird, fuckin forget The whole Korean and Chinese markets which are rapidly catching up to manga and it’s no wonder people have never heard of French comics.

[@EyeInTheSky982]

The artwork for The Long Tomorrow reminds me of a graphic novel by Frank Miller and Geof Darrow called Hard Boiled; a futuristic story about an insurance investigator with amnesia who tries to find out who he really is. I wonder which story came first?? 🤔🤔

[@TheRageaholic]

Geoff Darrow is Moebius' protegé.

[@vonfaustien3957]

Wasn't Hard boiled where fallout ripped the OG games 10mil pistol from?

[@ash_durant6071]

@@TheRageaholic And then there is also José Ladrönn who picked up the mantle after Giraud 's death for the Final Incal.

[@somerandomname75]

Glad to see that this video's back up. Great work!

[@starstoryteller]

Interesting, I posted some of work (very manga influenced) and one of my Japanese followers mentioned that my style looked similar to French style comics. I am interested in checking them out.

[@ardanblade641]

Thank you for that little gift at the end! You are a living saint, no matter how much profanity you make use of in your sermons!

[@maverickraven]

Like always Razorfist, ty so much for this list man. Your recommendations are golden.

[@eldritchkaiju5829]

I like both manga and BD. I think both have their merits, some are the same and some are different. But they both blow american comics out of the proverbial water. I may not agree with you on the subject of Japanese media, but you get a resounding GOD FUCKING SPEED from me either way Razor!

[@Eye_Of_Odin978]

You don't agree with him on Japanese Media because you're a weeb and a bootlicker who loves a country that absolutely scorns you.

[@williamThatGuy72]

I know this is kinda late... I just got my first Cimmarian book and, wow. Absolutely beautiful. They will live on my Judge Dredd complete case files shelf. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@catendway4754]

Question? How come comics/literature like Valerian and Elric don’t receive that much attention or love in the US despite how influential they are on American IPs like Bladerunner and ASOAIF

[@AntiDecepticonCampaign]

We are more like N Korea than people want to acknowledge

[@NathanCassidy721]

I would say it’s exposure mostly. Most Americans know about Manga/Anime because because it’s gets as much media attention as Marvel/DC. On top of that, most of these comics are not translated into English as most Americans are mono-lingual.

[@harbl99]

Second-rate/derivative writers like to keep their 'inspirations' secret from the muggles. "Oh, hi Andzrej."

[@vonfaustien3957]

@Raylan Givens same reason will never see a nuromancer movie.

[@carlosaugustodinizgarcia3526]

Elric was also a major inspiration behind The Witcher (if not a ripp of ).

[@trob1173]

Stories inked by Moebius in Heavy Metal in the late '70s spoiled me. Probably why I look at a lot of entertainment today (all media forms) as crap. Didn't know it originated in France. Thanks for expanding my understanding of the magnificent stuff I was reading back in the day.

[@sunnysunflower4236]

Thank you for the translations, Mr Fist. That is awfully kind of you x

[@germanicthunder3533]

I must sincerely thank you for introducing me to this amazing third option for comics, Razor. I've actually gone and purchased the entire series (thus far) of Durango, and even the first issue of its recent prequel by Swolfs, 'Durango La Jeunesse', because of your recommendation, and you can be assured I'm gonna be giving my hard-earned cash to yet more of these Franco-Belgian artistic triumphs, for the artists and writers who actually fucking DESERVE it.

[@manders7868]

Thanks for this! I happened upon the Cimmerian collections of Conan stories recently, and was blown away. Good to know about the others, especially the westerns.

[@chronochrome7837]

I knew I could rely on Razor for great recommendations, I didn't know I'd be able to get a straight up English translation of a great recommendation. Absolutely incredible; thank you muchly Razor.

[@user-ze3tq9hf9i]

I love your sheer contempt for manga and anime.

[@brandonjones2041]

Yes! Been waiting a while for this reup!

[@Kal_g]

I don't mind a re-upload, man! Gives me another chance to pick some of these books up. Thanks!!

[@manarayofhope2374]

That,s really cool dude you wanted the work translated no one was doing it so you did it yourself I give you alot of crap sometimes but you wanted to see something done and you made it happen I Respect that .

[@ericfrancis6511]

probably reuploaded with newer stuff. but this does look familiar. either way, a new upload from lord fist is welcome on a chaotic day.

[@RavenHouseMystery]

First of all, thank you for sharing your amazing knowledge of this topic. I've learned a lot and as this comment will attest, I've already checked out some of your recommendations. Now as for the ending to "The Great Silence" (based on your recommendation), I actually prefer the original, tragic ending. It actually shocked me and left me saying, "Wait, that's the ending?" It was not just an anti-Hollywood ending. It was an anti-pulp hero ending. The alternate ending seemed almost comical in its resolution. Finally, thanks for the original Django recommendation. I saw the film yesterday and it was great. Franco Nero was clearly a star in the making. The reveal of the coffin's contents was amazing.

[@shanezielinski7418]

I rate this video - but its a re-upload. I hope for much more of this content. Thanks RazorFist!!!

[@NukeA6]

He did upload 2 more volumes of Durango so there's that.

[@TheDrunkardHu]

Such great art! Thanks for the translation!

[@jamesfowler2660]

totally fucked, I saw the notification and thought...... what? Didn't I just watch this a couple weeks ago? Yeah , when Metal Hurlant got it's own movie (Heavy Metal) when I was a kid. they were grossly underrated in America, and it was rare to come across their works anywhere. Until the Dark horse hobby store was made in my hometown ( the same place I discovered TMNT). I grabbed everything I ran across of its kind. Bernie Wrightston, Moebius, Mézières, Frazetta and Bilal these guys were so awesome I was sold for life. I spent hundreds of hours reading the books, drawing and imitating their works. These artists made me part of who I am today, an artist and a craftsman. thanks f or the update Razor, cheers man!

[@CommanderBohn]

European comic albums and comics are the real deal. Asterix and Obelix, Kajko i Kokosz, Lucky Luke, Tin Tin, Requiem, 2000 AD...those are the good stuff. There are also American comics that are good and aren't capeshit, but you will have to dig for those.

[@doublep1980]

If you guys want more Fantasy Bande Desinees, check out Soleil's ''Elves'', ''Dwarves'', ''Orks & Goblins'' & ''Mages'' series. They take place in a shared universe, the Tolkienesque Fantasy world of ''Arran'' and feature epic storylines and great art. If you like classic High Fantasy ala Tolkien, but with a more mature style (as in: lots of blood & nudity), this is for you. Sadly, the english translations have been put on a hold for over a year. Another, fun Fantasy comic, is ''Black Moon Chronicles'' which is much more dark fantasy, but with a hefty dose of humor thrown in for good measure, alongside all the blood, guts & nudity. P.S. ''Servitude'' is in deed great, unfortunately, they only have translated the first 2 issues in english and that was years ago.

[@Alexcobra861]

Don't forget that heavy metal magazines are just an American adaptation of the French magazine Metal Hurlant.

[@EnigmaShadow03]

I’m only now getting into different comics and whatnot, outside of the Marvel and DC generic shit. Thank you for teaching me about this stuff. It broadens my horizons and my imaginations.

[@captainsergeant]

Thanks man, this is great content and I learned a lot!

[@MrVelnicasal]

if i remember correctly Luc Besson tried to bring french comic books onto hoellywood a few years ago with "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets", i really liked that movie, nice video man, take care

[@_spartan11796]

I remember when you started talking about this awhile back. Opened my eyes.