Since the beginning of summer, The duty offers a foray into unique independent bookstores rooted in their community to discover the stories, dreams and favorites of those who carry them at arm’s length. For this latest edition, we present Planète BD, a bookstore that celebrates the greatness of the ninth art.
In the early 1980s, when François Mayeux left his native France to settle in Quebec, he carried his passport, a few clothes and his vast collection of comics in his suitcase. Eager to find out what her cousins reserved for him on this side, he does not take long to understand that, in the provinces, the genre does not have very good press.
“Comic strips were a bit of the poor relation of the book world at the time,” he says. It was seen as sub-literature, for those who didn’t really like to read. I thought that was unfair. I even often had the impression that I knew more than the booksellers who advised me. I then began to cherish the dream of becoming a good bookseller, with this passion to make people discover all the richness of the genre. »
He quickly became involved with the Association of Comic Strip Creators and Stakeholders (ACIBD), in addition to working in distribution as a press officer, notably at Casterman. Alongside, he develops training courses and conferences to inform booksellers, librarians, teachers and specialist advisers. “I have done more than 500 animations across Quebec, Manitoba, Ontario and Prince Edward Island. In all modesty, I think my work has paid off. »
From the mid-1980s, booksellers and libraries began to develop sections for comics. Over time, production and sales increase, driven by a greater diversity of voices and topics that expand the target audience. In the space of twenty years, the production goes from 300 to 3000 comic strips in the French-speaking world.
François Mayeux multiplies initiatives to promote his passion. In 1999, he founded the Bédélys prize, which each year rewards the best French-language comics published or distributed in Quebec. In 2011, he launched the BD Montreal Festival, to allow the public to meet cartoonists.
In the meantime, the bookseller finally feels ready to realize his dream: to create his own specialized bookshop. Planète BD opened its doors in 2007, on Saint-Denis Street, in the heart of Plateau Mont-Royal. “I knew I was established enough in the field to get started. I had good contacts in the institutional market, in addition to having loyal customers who already followed me in all the bookstores where I worked. »
An institution
Sixteen years later, Planète BD is a veritable institution. Led by a team of eight experienced and learned booksellers, the bookstore is the only one in North America to be part of the Canal BD network, which brings together 150 businesses specializing in comics, the majority of which are in France and Belgium.
“It gives us exceptional advantages. The network publishes a monthly review listing upcoming releases, in addition to awarding prizes to the best books,” he explains. This privilege allows the Planète BD team to get their hands on new releases before the rest of Quebec. “We are therefore the first to have discovered The Arab of the future [Allary, 2014], The old stoves [Dargaud, 2014] And Zai Zai Zai Zai [6 pieds sous terre, 2015] For example. »
I have done more than 500 animations across Quebec, Manitoba, Ontario and Prince Edward Island. In all modesty, I think my work has paid off.
Even if the comic strip is now much better perceived by the literary world, as well as by schools, François Mayeux is still driven by the urgency of defending it tooth and nail. Above all, he is convinced that he can find the work that will convert everyone who walks through the doors of his store to the genre.
“My favorite time of year is Christmas. People walk in with no idea what they are going to buy. We ask them a few questions in order to clearly identify the person they want to spoil and find the best comic book for them. Often they come back, because they want more. »
Comics are for everyone
Even if you can find classics such as Tintin, Gaston Lagaffe, Spirou and company on the shelves of Planète BD, booksellers make it a point of honor to highlight Quebec works as well as the best in recent years, all genres combined. “You cannot say that comics are just for children. On our shelves, there are works that speak of autism, cancer, homosexuality, racism, transidentity, the history of Palestine or the political situation in Rwanda. There is something for everyone, and we can prove it to you. »
Nothing pleases François Mayeux as much as a satisfied reader who comes to thank him, eager for new discoveries. “One reader at a time, comics are gaining ground. Few booksellers can claim to have such a loyal clientele. “Some customers who visit the store have followed me for 35 years. Sometimes, they are the ones who make me discover works. These exchanges are a great pleasure for me. »
After years of work, the bookseller begins to slow down and consider retirement. At the last Salon du livre de Montréal, he was awarded the Fleury-Mesplet prize, which highlights the remarkable career of a craftsman in the book industry, for his colossal groundbreaking work. “It was another milestone in the recognition of comics as equal to other literary genres. I’m happy with the little ones I leave behind. Now for the young people! »