Cinebook’s First Titles Of 2024: Coming In January & February

The European comics market is, and has always been, vibrant, diverse, and full of incredible talent. And every month Cinebook brings us English-speaking comics readers the very best of these Euro comics.

Yes, the Euro comics market is absolutely full of some fabulous examples of the comics medium, across so many genres, from so many great creators. And although too many English-speaking readers might only know Euro comics as just Tintin and Asterix, Cinebook have been working on changing that mindset for many years now.

To open their account of the finest in Euro comics for 2024, Cinebook have four titles announced, three for January and just one (so far) coming your way in February – ranging from wartime action to uproarious comedy.

We have another volume of the Buck Danny Classics series, a spin off of the 58-volume (and counting) best-seller created by Georges Troisfontaines, Victor Hubinon and Jean-Michel Charlier in 1947, with Francis Bergèse later taking over writing and drawing. Known for its military and mecahnical realism, aviator Buck Danny and his pals adventures across the ages takes them into military conflicts from WWII’s Pacific campaign, through the Cold War, and into more recent times.

More war-time action comes in the sixth volume of Bear’s Tooth, a tale of war and friendships ripped apart as three children who all dream of being pilots but find that those dreams take them in different directions as WWII takes hold.

And then we have the comedies, and wonderful laugh-fests they are too – whether it’s American Civil War funnies in the Bluecoats created by Lambil & Cauvin or the brilliance of Franquin’s creation, the Marsupilami, first seen in Spirou & Fantasio and then in his own albums by Yann & Batem, with Franquin’s influence and genius always there.

Bluecoats is a favourite of mine, always full of great comedy, guaranteed to raise a smile following the misadventures of Sergeant Cornelius M. Chesterfield, a soldier’s soldier, and his absolute antithesis in the workshy slacker Corporal Blutch, fighting in the Union Army’s 22nd Cavalry.

And Marsupilami is another of those albums that come from the great works of a genius, Franquin. Created as a side character for Spirou’s adventures, the strange yet lovable creature with a nature-defying tail became so popular that a series was inevitable – and the spirit of Franquin hovers over it, keeping the adventures light and as funny as always.

Okay, then, four books across two months – all of them recommended indeed. Now, a look at the covers of the books as well as the Cinebook PR…

Bear’s Tooth Volume 6 – Silbervogel by Yann & Alain Henriet
Published by Cinebook on 18 January 2024

Three friends, united by their love of flying, torn apart by different origins. Amidst the madness of WW2, what will prove strongest: friendship, or loyalty?

Everything is in place. The radio guidance relays are active, the Silbervogel, the intercontinental bomber, is operational, and Anna is ready to fly it to America – a suicide mission. As for Werner, he seems incapable of fulfilling his mission and killing the beautiful test pilot, in whom he still sees his childhood friend. The arrival of Soviet forces, along with the courage of a handful of prisoners and partisans, will give them both one last chance to do the right thing … Can they seize it?

The Bluecoats Volume 17 – The Draft Riots by Lambil & Cauvin
Published by Cinebook on 18 January, 2024.

A humorous cult series about the misadventures of Sergeant Cornelius M. Chesterfield and Corporal Blutch of the Union Army’s 22nd Cavalry.

The Civil War rages on. Despite some much-needed victories, losses have been harrowing on the Union side, and volunteers are getting scarce. That leaves conscription, but it’s an extremely unpopular measure – especially because of the possibility to avoid it by paying a sum of money only the rich can afford. Yet the North has little choice but to maintain it … and this is how, in July 1863 in New York City, simmering resentment turns into bloody rioting – with Blutch and Chesterfield caught in the tragic events.

Buck Danny Classics Volume 5 – Operation Iron Curtain by Frédéric Zumbiehl and Frédéric Marniquet; illustrated by Jean-Michal Arroyo
Published by Cinebook on 25 January, 2024.

New volumes of the adventures of ace pilot Buck Danny, but set during significant moments in history – World War Two, Korea, the Cold War …

October 1961. The Soviet Union is working to create a supersonic bomber capable of launching nuclear weapons. Horrified by the warmongering of his political masters, one of the scientists working on the project decides to defect to the West with the aircraft’s blueprints – but the KGB’s reputation is well-deserved, and his attempt quickly turns into a nightmare. Soon, plans and counter-plans are put in action, and Buck and his friends find themselves thrust in the middle of a deadly game of spies …

Marsupilami Volume 9 – The Butterfly and the Treetop Squid by Franquin, Yann & Batem
Published by Cinebook on 22 February, 2024.

Readers of Spirou already know the Marsupilami – that lovable creature with the nature-defying tail. Here, in his own series, we follow the Marsupilami’s life in his natural habitat. And his adventures are as funny as ever!

The Palombian jungle is a cornucopia of strange and mysterious animal and vegetal species. Among those, a butterfly whose female has never been captured is the object of the ambitions of many scientists – and competition causes conflicts. A situation that the Marsupilami, who hates having his nap interrupted, finds positively unacceptable … although the opportunities to play with this new treetop research lab that’s suddenly appeared might make up for the inconvenience!