Most Popular Books by Fabien Vehlmann

BEST OF THE YEAR NODS FROM AMAZON.COM AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY! "Kerascoët... render Aurora and her friends in the huge-eyed style of classic children''s book illustrations, but cuteness is just another Darwinian survival strategy here. Even on her clover-high scale, as Aurora discovers, romance is decided by social pecking order and murderous deceit."--Douglas Wolk, New York Times Kerascoët''s and Fabien Vehlmann''s unsettling and gorgeous anti-fairy tale is a searing condemnation of our vast capacity for evil writ tiny. Join princess Aurora and her friends as they journey to civilization''s heart of darkness in a bleak allegory about surviving the human experience. The sweet faces and bright leaves of Kerascoët''s delicate watercolors serve to highlight the evil that dwells beneath Vehlmann''s story as pettiness, greed, and jealousy take over. Beautiful Darkness is a harrowing look behind the routine politeness and meaningless kindness of civilized society.

Five years ago, little Gwenny’s father found, inside a bottle, a map with instructions on how to reach the mysterious Isle of 100,000 Graves and its legendary treasures ― and then he vanished. Now Gwenny, having stumbled across another bottle-shipped map, enlists the dubious help of a shipful of pirates, sets out to find the island, and her long-lost dad. Little does she realize that the Isle comes by its ominous name honestly, as the location of a secret school for executioners and torturers, where apple-cheeked youngsters are taught the finer points of extracting information from prisoners… and then putting an end to their lives in a wide variety of gruesome ways. And they’ve reached the point in their studies where theory should ideally give way to practice, so an influx of uninvited visitors comes as a blessing to the faculty. And yes, this story is a comedy. Albeit a dark one.

Ivan, Leila, Camille, Terry, Dodzi. Five children who have never met each other, who live very different lives in a small city. Then, one day, they all wake up in their empty homes, walk out into empty streets and wander through the empty city... No adults, no other children; just the five of them eventually finding each other, and forced to band together to face the inevitable questions – and the dangers of a modern city suddenly emptied of its inhabitants.

The cold war between the Campton group and Saul’s clan has finally erupted into open warfare, but the increasingly strange events that affect the abandoned city eventually silence even the most bellicose instincts: the red zone is sinking into the ground, and all of the children, regardless of their allegiance, are now trapped inside the ‘lowlands’. Their only chance to get out is to work together – if it isn’t already too late...

The five Campton children are travelling to neighbouring cities by bus, desperately looking for other living humans. All they find are deserted settlements, burned forests and packs of feral dogs... Until one day they discover an amusement park filled with kids, all found and gathered by Saul, the owner’s son. A strange, authoritarian child who worships the park’s great white shark, and whose arbitrary rules are not at all to the taste of the newcomers...

The five children, now accompanied by several dissidents from the Clan of the Shark, have returned to Campton, where Ivan found some clues about the night of the Vanishing. One evening, as they are discussing the organisation of their new camp, the Master of Knives comes to ask for their help ... and collapses, gravely injured. Searching the city for what attacked him, the children are stunned to discover huge piles of objects covered in red paint...

The legendary adventures of reporters Spirou and Fantasio, their squirrel Spip, and Franquin''s Marsupilami - 75 years of the finest comics tradition! The 20th title of a series as fundamental as Tintin.

In the distant future, Elijah is a member of the "Philosophical Police," who must solve conflicts that arise out of ignorance of the Other. Two species are fighting a war with roots in a crime committed centuries ago, and Elijah must solve the crime and bring peace between their species, while also confronting his own immortality in a world where science provides access to eternal life. In a world where death no longer exists, why do so many want to give up on life?

In the abandoned town, the children have established a new home and organised a life for themselves. As they prepare for a trip to other cities in an attempt to determine the extent of the phenomenon that saw everyone else vanish, they encounter and learn to deal with the problems of an existence without adults. Until one day a tall, knifewielding figure appears, and their dream of finding someone else suddenly turns into a nightmare...

Five children wake up in a mysteriously deserted city. They must learn to survive--alone.

Jean-Baptiste Poulain comes to Auvergne in central France to investigate the deaths of two young women. Both were killed one year apart in the same barbaric, ritual way, their bodies left near the Black Virgin Chapel ... and the day approaches when another victim could turn up. Unfortunately, he’s going to have to struggle against the locals’ superstitions, the hostility of the authorities, and the hatred all seem to direct at the neighbouring gypsies.

Isère, on the marches of France. A regiment of dragoons enters a seemingly deserted village to find several badly mangled bodies and evidence of an attack by a wild animal. Survivors speak of a massive beast with almost human eyes, of a werewolf... The thing’s trail leads over the border with the Duchy of Savoy, and the commander of the dragoons takes a small detachment, in civilian clothes, after it. With them is his cousin: Jean-Baptiste Poulain...

It’s a sad day for the Campton kids: they’ve just discovered Dodzi’s lifeless body at the foot of a building, shot once in the chest. Convinced that whoever killed him must have come from the red zone – the no man’s land marked out by the monkeys’ cairns – Leila and Ivan decide to send an expedition there. But none of the children could possibly imagine what awaits them inside the zone, no more than what will happen back at the camp.

Jean-Baptiste Poulain is back in Paris when the Countess of Almedia invites him to join her salon in Andalusia. Her offer is too good to refuse, and they’re soon on their way to San Fernando by sea. During a storm, they narrowly avoid a collision with a drifting ship, the Providence. When they go aboard the derelict, all they find are corpses – and yet Jean-Baptiste is convinced he’d seen a survivor...

Jean-Baptiste Poulain has been hired by the Baron of Brac to tutor his son. When the young teacher arrives on the island off the coast of Brittany, he’s immediately struck by how much the population seems to both hate and fear their lord. Which doesn’t stop the locals from going after the aristocrat’s people. Jean-Baptiste is brutally attacked – just after Nolwenn, the baron’s son, is found beaten to death...

Umberto Leone, a wealthy eccentric, dies in Egypt. In his will, he bequeaths enormous amounts of money to several perfect strangers – including Jean-Baptiste! Intrigued by such a curious inheritance, the young man decides to follow Leone’s tracks and sails to Cairo, last destination of the late explorer. There, in the shadow of the pyramids, he will meet French expatriates with dubious motives, gold-crazed janissaries, mysterious holy men ... and above all the beautiful Dieneba...

Birds wasting away in a national park, refusing to migrate. Identical geometric markings on the wings of completely different insect species. A pillar of dust in the desert. A small-time hood travels to India''s shipbreaking yards in search of a giant nuclear-powered construction robot. A big-time crime boss makes a killing off the Algerian Revolution, in a world where it happened fifteen years later than in our own. "A good story," insists reporter Françoise Halfort, visited abruptly by a post-menopausal pregnancy, "is one that draws unexpected connections between seemingly unconnected events." Four star creators join talents on a vast canvas that takes in the entire French 20th century.

In the arenas, the Campton kids have won their ‘citizenship’ of the In-Between-World’s strange society. Now free to come and go as they please, they’ve left town for the mountains, following Dodzi without really knowing why. When the young boy explains to them that he is in fact trying to discover whether he is the herald of Evil – the Midnight Child – a violent dispute ensues. Meanwhile, hidden nearby, the soldiers of the First Families await an opportunity to attack...

What''s become of a world whose only hope of survival lies in the humanity of a child and a voiceless monkey? And yet, this is the world depicted in "The Beast-God," Fabien Vehlmann and Roger''s new majestic graphic novel. When the monkey is captured and groomed, it transforms into the Beast-God, a ferocious fighter and symbol of power. He goes to rescue the Consul Ea, who has been banished from the imperial court and spent several years in exile. But on their return, a tidal wave engulfs not only the Consul''s troops, but also those of the other factions converging on the capital, resulting in a race to occupy the vacant throne. Meanwhile, the Beast-God, freed by the deluge, resolves to punish the Great Huntress, the merciless leader of Ea''s warriors, for cruelly using him. But he is not the only one aiming to disrupt the plans of the rich and powerful. The Slaves, too, are rising up against them, determined to risk their lives to regain their freedom. An unforgettable fantasy of sound and fury, marked by the incessant battles between life and death, animal and man.

Saturday and Sunday are still lounging about when they are summoned to a grand debate. The island''s populace is being threatened by an invisible monster and no one agrees about how to best deal with the disaster. Rallying around Sunday''s opinion, which consists in the idea that "living outside is pretty cool," the young inhabitants leave their underground lairs and discover freedom. Meaning that they create major chaos and gorge themselves on suspicious-looking mushrooms. In the meantime, Saturday falls head over heels for a woman in a red dress. It''s all very funny and tender -- no debate about that.

Saturday and Sunday are a pair of lizards living the good life, lazing around on a tropical atoll and fishing off the beach. But when Saturday comes down with a case of acute questionitis, the big mysteries—why are we here? how did we get here?—won''t leave him alone. Only travel can cure his ills, and he sets off with Sunday in tow. What''s a best friend to do but tag along? Together, the indefatigable duo have encounters both fanciful and philosophical in this charming and freewheeling paean to simple joys, curiosity, and friendship, fit for all ages.

Birds wasting away in a national park, refusing to migrate. Identical geometric markings on the wings of completely different insect species. A pillar of dust in the desert. A small-time hood travels to India''s shipbreaking yards in search of a giant nuclear-powered construction robot. A big-time crime boss makes a killing off the Algerian Revolution, in a world where it happened fifteen years later than in our own. "A good story," insists reporter Françoise Halfort, visited abruptly by a post-menopausal pregnancy, "is one that draws unexpected connections between seemingly unconnected events." Four star creators join talents on a vast canvas that takes in the entire French 20th century.

Intelligent Artificial Neuromechanoid... Ian. It’s the name of the newest recruit in Team 21 of the SRS – the ‘Special Rescue Section’. Ian is an android, impossible to tell from a human being with the naked eye, and his creators claim that he’s controlled by a true artificial intelligence – capable of learning, adapting, and even of experiencing emotions. Not every member of the team is happy about their new partner, but their higher-ups aren’t giving them a choice – and the mission comes first...

Birds wasting away in a national park, refusing to migrate. Identical geometric markings on the wings of completely different insect species. A pillar of dust in the desert. A small-time hood travels to India''s shipbreaking yards in search of a giant nuclear-powered construction robot. A big-time crime boss makes a killing off the Algerian Revolution, in a world where it happened fifteen years later than in our own. "A good story," insists reporter Françoise Halfort, visited abruptly by a post-menopausal pregnancy, "is one that draws unexpected connections between seemingly unconnected events." Four star creators join talents on a vast canvas that takes in the entire French 20th century.

Sometime after their adventures in Attack of the Zordolts, Spirou, Fantasio and the Count of Champignac have nearly finished repairing the damage done by Zorglub’s ridiculous plans. Until that morning when they wake up in what appears to be their bedrooms, except ... on the moon! The moon, yes, where Zorglub – again – has built a massive laboratory. Unfortunately, the cost of such a construction is colossal, and the somewhat-reformed evil mastermind had to find financial backers ...

Birds wasting away in a national park, refusing to migrate. Identical geometric markings on the wings of completely different insect species. A pillar of dust in the desert. A small-time hood travels to India''s shipbreaking yards in search of a giant nuclear-powered construction robot. A big-time crime boss makes a killing off the Algerian Revolution, in a world where it happened fifteen years later than in our own. "A good story," insists reporter Françoise Halfort, visited abruptly by a post-menopausal pregnancy, "is one that draws unexpected connections between seemingly unconnected events." Four star creators join talents on a vast canvas that takes in the entire French 20th century.

Birds wasting away in a national park, refusing to migrate. Identical geometric markings on the wings of completely different insect species. A pillar of dust in the desert. A small-time hood travels to India''s shipbreaking yards in search of a giant nuclear-powered construction robot. A big-time crime boss makes a killing off the Algerian Revolution, in a world where it happened fifteen years later than in our own. "A good story," insists reporter Françoise Halfort, visited abruptly by a post-menopausal pregnancy, "is one that draws unexpected connections between seemingly unconnected events." Four star creators join talents on a vast canvas that takes in the entire French 20th century.

Birds wasting away in a national park, refusing to migrate. Identical geometric markings on the wings of completely different insect species. A pillar of dust in the desert. A small-time hood travels to India''s shipbreaking yards in search of a giant nuclear-powered construction robot. A big-time crime boss makes a killing off the Algerian Revolution, in a world where it happened fifteen years later than in our own. "A good story," insists reporter Françoise Halfort, visited abruptly by a post-menopausal pregnancy, "is one that draws unexpected connections between seemingly unconnected events." Four star creators join talents on a vast canvas that takes in the entire French 20th century.

Birds wasting away in a national park, refusing to migrate. Identical geometric markings on the wings of completely different insect species. A pillar of dust in the desert. A small-time hood travels to India''s shipbreaking yards in search of a giant nuclear-powered construction robot. A big-time crime boss makes a killing off the Algerian Revolution, in a world where it happened fifteen years later than in our own. "A good story," insists reporter Françoise Halfort, visited abruptly by a post-menopausal pregnancy, "is one that draws unexpected connections between seemingly unconnected events." Four star creators join talents on a vast canvas that takes in the entire French 20th century.

Birds wasting away in a national park, refusing to migrate. Identical geometric markings on the wings of completely different insect species. A pillar of dust in the desert. A small-time hood travels to India''s shipbreaking yards in search of a giant nuclear-powered construction robot. A big-time crime boss makes a killing off the Algerian Revolution, in a world where it happened fifteen years later than in our own. "A good story," insists reporter Françoise Halfort, visited abruptly by a post-menopausal pregnancy, "is one that draws unexpected connections between seemingly unconnected events." Four star creators join talents on a vast canvas that takes in the entire French 20th century.

After the terrifying discovery of the monolith in the red zone, the children must now adapt to having Dodziback among them – something they never expected. Problem is, Saul, too, is back, and the Clan of theShark has relocated to Campton. While Ivan begins investigating the 15 families that his father oncementioned, a territorial struggle begins between the two groups – one that soon turns to open war. AndSaul will stop at nothing to assert his authority.

Birds wasting away in a national park, refusing to migrate. Identical geometric markings on the wings of completely different insect species. A pillar of dust in the desert. A small-time hood travels to India''s shipbreaking yards in search of a giant nuclear-powered construction robot. A big-time crime boss makes a killing off the Algerian Revolution, in a world where it happened fifteen years later than in our own. "A good story," insists reporter Françoise Halfort, visited abruptly by a post-menopausal pregnancy, "is one that draws unexpected connections between seemingly unconnected events." Four star creators join talents on a vast canvas that takes in the entire French 20th century.

Birds wasting away in a national park, refusing to migrate. Identical geometric markings on the wings of completely different insect species. A pillar of dust in the desert. A small-time hood travels to India''s shipbreaking yards in search of a giant nuclear-powered construction robot. A big-time crime boss makes a killing off the Algerian Revolution, in a world where it happened fifteen years later than in our own. "A good story," insists reporter Françoise Halfort, visited abruptly by a post-menopausal pregnancy, "is one that draws unexpected connections between seemingly unconnected events." Four star creators join talents on a vast canvas that takes in the entire French 20th century.