French Comics and The Twilight Companions
As always when I should have been writing a paper, I have been busy doing something else. This time that something included rereading for the unknown time François Bourgeon’s absolutely wonderful comic Les Compagnons du crepuscule ( The Twilight Companions/Companions of the Dusk)
The story is set during the Hundred Years war in France, and tells the story of a knight with a shady past, and his two followers whom he drafts on his quest to fight the darkness. If the darkness is real or just a result of the knights twisted mind is never really answered, but the story is definitely a bit magical with lots of myth references and symbols. Particularly important is the wild, mystic forest vs. the civilized city/castle, and the siren symbolised by the Melusine.
Cover of the First Album - and it is a bit odd because it doesn't really represent the story that well. The woman hanging upside down is Mariotte, the main character, and she is hardly a damsel in distress. But oh, I guess they tried to market it as adult or something.
I love this comic, and the way its narrative keeps twisting and turning. I’d say that in order to grasp the story you need to read it at least twice, all while playing a semiotic detective in trying to figure out the different symbols.
The Melusine/Siren symbol, which is of vital importance in the series.
In addition Bourgeon is known for his historical correctness, and all the gorgeous drawings are the result of meticulous study. This is true of other of his comics as well, such as The passengers of the wind, which is set in the 17 th Century and deals with the slave trade. For the life of me I cannot find if this series is translated to English.
From the Third Album, which is probably my favourite.Also, look at those amazing drawings. Apparently Bourgeon was trained as a stained glass painter, and I think it shows
Does this sound familiar to any one? Especially lage_nom_ai - have you read this? It is mythic, magical medieval times, and apart from the lack of Clannad it would fit perfectly into the Robin of Sherwood universe. (it even has dorky haircuts!) Though it is a shade darker and more disturbing than RoS.
For a fascinating and in-depth analysis of the narration and feminine aspect of the story go here:This story, shall the good man teach his son: History and Femininity in François Bourgeon's Les compagnons du crépuscule.
Again from the Third Album. Just lovely.
The story is set during the Hundred Years war in France, and tells the story of a knight with a shady past, and his two followers whom he drafts on his quest to fight the darkness. If the darkness is real or just a result of the knights twisted mind is never really answered, but the story is definitely a bit magical with lots of myth references and symbols. Particularly important is the wild, mystic forest vs. the civilized city/castle, and the siren symbolised by the Melusine.
Cover of the First Album - and it is a bit odd because it doesn't really represent the story that well. The woman hanging upside down is Mariotte, the main character, and she is hardly a damsel in distress. But oh, I guess they tried to market it as adult or something.
I love this comic, and the way its narrative keeps twisting and turning. I’d say that in order to grasp the story you need to read it at least twice, all while playing a semiotic detective in trying to figure out the different symbols.
The Melusine/Siren symbol, which is of vital importance in the series.
In addition Bourgeon is known for his historical correctness, and all the gorgeous drawings are the result of meticulous study. This is true of other of his comics as well, such as The passengers of the wind, which is set in the 17 th Century and deals with the slave trade. For the life of me I cannot find if this series is translated to English.
From the Third Album, which is probably my favourite.Also, look at those amazing drawings. Apparently Bourgeon was trained as a stained glass painter, and I think it shows
Does this sound familiar to any one? Especially lage_nom_ai - have you read this? It is mythic, magical medieval times, and apart from the lack of Clannad it would fit perfectly into the Robin of Sherwood universe. (it even has dorky haircuts!) Though it is a shade darker and more disturbing than RoS.
For a fascinating and in-depth analysis of the narration and feminine aspect of the story go here:This story, shall the good man teach his son: History and Femininity in François Bourgeon's Les compagnons du crépuscule.
Again from the Third Album. Just lovely.