Graphic novels

With ‘The Wrong Place’, Brecht Evens introduced a new and daring style with his expressive drawings and powerful choices of colour. A flowing rhythm of short snatches of dialogue and grand set pieces highlight loneliness, superficiality, and how difficult it is to make real contact with other people.

Upon its publication, ‘The Wrong Place’ set off artistic fireworks in the Flemish graphic novel scene. This groundbreaking work, with its bold explosions of colour, established Evens as an international sensation and marked the start of his acclaimed career. Each subsequent book has raised the bar. Full Norwegian and English translations are available.

It’s 1937 and the US has been brought to its knees by the Great Depression. Severe drought and overcultivation have caused the state of Oklahoma to be ravaged by sand and dust storms in a region known as the ‘Dust Bowl’. Many people move away; those who are left behind are destitute. A young photographer named John Clark from Washington, D.C. is sent to Oklahoma to capture the dire living conditions of the farmers. 

Aimée de Jongh tells the moving story of a desolate region which falls prey to the destructive power of man and nature. It’s an urgent story that resonates with the current discourse about ecological and humanitarian disasters, and offers an answer to an important question: what role can artists play in addressing environmental crises?

With his wordless debut ‘Beatrice’, Joris Mertens pulled out all the stops. Beatrice is transported back to the roaring twenties when she finds a photo album in a discarded bag and goes in search of the places in the pictures. Drenched in nostalgia and melancholy, with detailed drawings dominated by shades of red and brown, ‘Beatrice’ is a story full of enchantment and atmosphere.

Mertens was an unknown fifty-something set designer and storyboard artist when he suddenly made his debut with this atmospheric book, quickly gaining international acclaim and winning no fewer than five awards.

In cinematic black and white drawings, Aimée de Jongh sketches conversations she’s had with four different taxi drivers: one in Los Angeles, one in Washington DC, one in Paris and one in Jakarta. The conversations aren’t always easy to get off the ground and sometimes take surprising turns, but in the confidential atmosphere of a taxi, the driver and passenger discuss topics of life and death, family, friends and how to carry on after a traumatic event. Yet, the tone of the book is not heavy: the reader is whisked away by the speed, humour and the artist’s keen sense of observation.

Not only does Aimée de Jongh depict different cultures and people, she also captures landscapes and ecological problems, such as traffic jams, climate change and overcrowded cities. Subtly, she touches on social and political issues, like the terrorist attacks in Paris, traffic accidents, Uber, and the fact that talking to each other has become something unusual but no less desirable. With this book, the author reminds us that we are all connected.

This extraordinary graphic novel tells the story of two women at a crossroads in their lives. Rita, a middle-aged woman who has just got divorced, challenges herself by becoming a nude model in drawing classes given by Esther. Vulnerability and courage, looking and being looked at, daring to be naked and closeness are all central themes.

Clement’s debut as a graphic novelist is a deeply moving and visually striking work. Versyp’s script earned the Prix Goscinny du jeune scénariste. A full English translation is available.

Yasmina's father is struggling to make ends meet, but luckily Yasmina knows the right people and places so she can serve him a delicious meal every day. But one day an addictive type of potato appears on the market with rather strange consequences for those who eat them. When her father falls victim to this mystery as well, Yasmina decides that enough is enough.

This delightful adventure comic for children delivers on every front: a gripping story, brisk pacing, laugh-out-loud humour, and extraordinary illustrations. A full English translation is available.

As Aaron’s summer slowly passes, he is forced to confront something he would rather not face: he is attracted to young boys. Ben Gijsemans’ drawings are meticulously detailed, and in their sometimes slow-motion narrative rhythm they perfectly portray Aaron’s struggle with his feelings. A beautiful but painful and subtle portrait of a young man who doesn’t want to know what he already knows, and the despair that results.

Ben Gijsemans’ graphic novel tackles a sensitive subject with a delicate touch, drawing readers into its profound emotional depths. A gem of a book that lingers long after the final page.