Bandes Dessinée

Have you heard of Adele Blanc-Sec?

Have you ever picked up any B.D.s (pronounced Bay-Days)while in Paris?

B.D. or bandes dessinée are hard bound comic books mostly for adults but very much available for kids as well. Bandes dessinée —in France is a place where the adult comic book is a major vehicle for communicating information and emotion," says Adam Gopnik. A French boyfriend got me started with Adele Blanc-Sec, a 19th century mystery series by Belgian artist Tardi.
Tardi is fabulous for his highly detailed views of Paris. I found this Eiffel Tower mystery at my local Alliance Française library. Perfect reference for painting "Harvard"

Another of Tardi's terrific on the scene views - sur les toits de Paris

Did I mention reading BDs is a GREAT way to learn French colloquial slang. The balloons illustrate how the French really speak-slang! 

This BD tells the story of the everyday life of your typical French Joe Blow

I found this kid's BD in the foreign magazine area of Penn Station but you can find these at most Paris relais in the train stations. J'aime Lire is a popular kids (aux enfants de 7 à 10 ans) magazine.

I love the drawings and the handwriting as well as the dialogue

Artist Soledad Bravi, illustrates Pierre Herme's macaron boxes, does a wonderful series of comic books. You can find it at www.Amazon.fr

You've probably seen this cat somewhere or other - Phillipe Geluck, another Belgian BD artist, even has his chat immortalized in chocolate at Galler.
And speaking of chocolate, Chocolat Michel Cluizel has a fine way to understand how his products are made in a 72 page bande dessinee! Think about it next time you're in Paris and stop in a BD shop.
BONJOUR BDs!