Appearing together in English for the first time, three politically charged sci-fi graphic novellas by a pioneering French comics artist. Dark, smart, and indomitably cool, the ’70s and ’80s dystopian visions of Chantal Montellier still unsettle. Visitors to an underground mall must recreate civilization after a nuclear strike may have wiped out the rest of humanity. Newlyweds find themselves implicated in a government eugenics program. A disembodied authority reprimands a man for stepping out of view of a security camera. In this collection of three novellas—Wonder City, Shelter, and 1996—published together in English for the first time, Montellier’s blend of dark humor, gripping storytelling, and consistent focus on the perils of totalitarianism shows her to be a master of both comics and science fiction. Social Fiction includes a Q&A between Chantal Montellier and Geoffrey Brock.
Chantal Montellier Books
Chantal Montellier is a French comic artist celebrated for her strong visual style and advocacy for traditional Belgian drawing. Her work often delves into social and political themes, emphasizing female characters and their perspectives. Montellier has gained acclaim for her creations that challenge conventions and explore complex human relationships. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to produce visually striking and thought-provoking narratives make her a significant figure in the comic art world.
The trial
- 208 pages
- 8 hours of reading
A terrifying psychological trip into the life of one Joseph K., an ordinary man who wakes up one day to find himself accused of a crime he did not commit, a crime whose nature is never revealed to him. Once arrested, he is released, but must report to court on a regular basis - an event that proves maddening, as nothing is ever resolved. As he grows more uncertain of his fate, his personal life - including work at a bank and his relations with his landlady and a young woman who lives next door - becomes increasingly unpredictable. As K. tries to gain control, he succeeds only in accelerating his own excruciating downward spiral.