French BD

"BD", or "Bande Dessinée" (also referred to as "bédé"), are comics in Rafi's native tongue -- French. These are mostly found in large, hardback "albums". Unfortunately, these albums are a little pricey, meaning that many of these don't see the American light of day.

Here is a selection of Rafi's favorites. Unless specified, all are in French.


Resources

Festival international de la bande dessinée d'Angoulême
http://www.bdangouleme.com/
English-language comics have San Diego -- BD has Angoulême, a city in France that plays host to the BD world's annual big show. Rafi and I would love to go there someday.

BD Gest'
http://www.bdgest.com/
Complete resource of all the BD ever produced.

Cool French Comics
http://www.coolfrenchcomics.com/
An English-language site devoted to France's popular BD titles.

BD Québec
http://www.bdquebec.qc.ca/
A site featuring information on BD from Quebecois artists.

Festival de la BD Francophone de Québec
http://www.fbdfq.com/
Annual BDshow held every April in Quebec City. I've been to the 2004 edition (by accident), while visiting Quebec City; a pretty decent showcase of BD titles and artists from Quebec and across the globe.

Canal BD
http://www.canalbd.net/
Site featuring BD news and information, and the stores that sell them.

BDnet
http://www.bdnet.com/
Online store that specialises in BD.

Actua BD
http://www.actuabd.com/
Another BD news and info site.

BD oubliees
http://bdoubliees.com/
A site that features comprehensive listings of many popular BD magazines.
Rafi Recommends

Florence Cestac
http://www.cestac.com/
Florence Cestac is France's most-popular woman cartoonists, noted for her "gros nez" (big nose) -style BD. Highly recommended. (The font used in my web site's buttons and most-recent comics, such as the "Rafi Recommends" label above, is based on Florence's lettering in her comics.).

Cha
http://www.chabd.com/ (main site)
http://blog.chabd.com/ (blog)
Woman creator of "Helpie", a teenage woman cat trying to stay hip. Cha's own life seems very interesting as well, according to her illustrated blog. (Some material may offend some.)

Goretta
http://jeunefillebien.canalblog.com/
A friend of Cha's, whose comics and artstyle are just as interesting.

Melaka
http://www.melakarnets.com/
see also http://melaka.free.fr/
Another French blog comic -- this one from a woman who, remarkably, draws in a style similar to Ellen Forney. Worth checking out.

Titeuf / Tcho magazine
http://www.zepounet.com/
http://www.tcho.fr/
Zep's comic strip about a young boy and his friends, with a lot of strips dealing with something you won't find in American kiddie comics -- sexuality. Also features other comics in Titeuf's own magazine, "Tcho".

Claire Bretecher
http://www.clairebretecher.com/
Legendary woman cartoonist who draws in a Feifferesque style. Currently known for her series of albums featuring sullen teen, "Agrippine".

Les Amandinettes
http://lesamandinettes.free.fr/
Cute BD strip created by Amandine.

Also Worth Reading

Tagaland
http://tagaland.com/
Taga is a little goth girl who, at the least, shouldn't be messed with. Popular among France's underculture. Also includes other characters, plus a gallery of similar artists. (Some material may offend some.)

Joann Sfar
http://www.toujoursverslouest.org/joannsfar/
http://www.pastis.org/joann/indexancien.html
Artist known for his rough drawing style and creative storytelling.

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