The irony of history

Those old enough to follow the news in 1989 have not forgotten the execution of Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu, the high point of the Romanian revolution. The couple of dictators had been tried and shot in an expeditious manner, less than fifteen days after the start of major popular demonstrations.

Ceausescu’s Bear opens with the last speech of the Carpathian Genius, when the Conductor was abruptly interrupted by the whistles of the crowd. We think that this comic will find a place in the historical comics department. But very quickly, one wonders.

To tell the story of Romania during the totalitarian years, why did you choose this young girl from whom, as a child, a pretty pink bow was unjustly confiscated? And this fellow failed at the grotesque job interview of the political police of the regime? This poet, well in court, who no longer has the right to keep his typewriter? A clown, a cleaning lady, a bear trainer: no more than the reader, the characters understand what is happening to them. Until the fall, and the return to reality which reminds us of all the irony of History on the move.

Gaël Henry’s carnival drawings stick to the creaking farce of screenwriter Aurélien Ducoudray.

Ceausescu’s Bearpublished by Steinkis

Teresa Radice and Stefano Turconi demonstrate the same irony in the face of History. Their scenario begins as a bad joke: it is the story of a German, a Russian and an Italian who escape from a prison camp during the Second World War. Since they don’t share the same language, they have a hard time understanding each other. Frightened and hungry, they will have to make common cause to cross, under a low sky, the plains and the snowy woods.

Words are lacking, but they are not lacking in this comic, one of the most literary we have ever read. The off texts say what torments men and pushes them to murder, sacrifice and self-transcendence.

Earth, sky, crowspublished by Glénat.

Every fortnight, Jean-Christophe Ogier hosts here the “Info manga” column by Lætitia de Germon from the editorial staff of franceinfo.fr. To guide you through the many publications, Lætitia gives you her selection and her favorites.

Blissful Landby Ichimon Izumi, at nobi nobi

Blissful Land is the second title in the Genki collection from nobi nobi editions, which is aimed at ages 14 and up.

The story takes place in the 18th century, in a village in the middle of the mountains of Tibet. Kang Zhipa, an apprentice doctor, meets his fiancée, Moshi Lati, who has come from a distant land. For these tender and naive bride and groom, getting to know each other is already quite an adventure. As they gather medicinal herbs, prepare remedies or traditional dishes, the two young people will discover each other. The story of the warm daily life of a land that seems to be blessed by the heavens is then woven.

The graphics and the story immediately make you think of Bride Stories. The boards are very beautiful and full of details, whether at the level of Tibetan houses, landscapes of this region or traditional outfits. The author manages to make his characters immediately endearing.

We take pleasure in discovering their lives through small, unpretentious moments. A romantic, touching manga, in which we learn a lot about traditions but also about medicinal herbs and the specificities of this 18th century Tibet (custom names, butter tea, marriages by abduction or the mantra of medicine).