Delcourt bringing comics to US via Comixology

First big announcement of the week: Delcourt, the biggest independent comics publisher in France, will release a line of their book in English for the first time via Comixology. The initial line of books includes books by Charlie Adlard (The Curse of the Wendigo) Pénélope Bagieu (Josephine), Alfred (Some Prima) and much more. A total of 150 titles will be published via Comixology over the next year.

“The French comic market is one of the most diverse in the world, and it’s fantastic to be a part of this game-changing deal with Delcourt,” said co-founder and CEO of comiXology David Steinberger. “The English language audience is more diverse than ever and Delcourt’s compelling titles will speak to comiXology fans. It’s high time that French comics take their rightful place as a major comics category – today marks the beginning of the ‘French Invasion’ of comics in the English language market!”

“France has one of the most vibrant markets for comic books and graphic novels in the world, comparable in size to the U.S. market,” said Delcourt founder Guy Delcourt. “In France, we may call graphic novels ‘bandes dessinées’ but the diverse stories we publish deliver the kind of action, intrigue and personal drama that American readers are accustomed to reading.”

This will be a major initiative for French comics in the US—Delcourt, as mentioned is the biggest indie and the second largest French comics publisher overall with 17.4% market share, a catalog of 6,500 titles and a 2014 consolidated turnover of €60.5 million. They publish a range of materials through three imprints, Editions Delcourt, Editions Soleil and Tonkam. It’s an incredibly diverse array of books, from award winners to crowd pleasers. In US terms, it’s as if Dark Horse, First Second and Fantagraphics were all one big hugely successful publisher.

Some titles will be presented monthly; some will include new covers by creators known from the US market, including Andrea Sorentino, Matteo Scalera and Mahmud Asrar; Mark Waid and Terry Moore will provide intros.

This is a pretty big deal because hey awesome comics in English! Comixology’s interest in the French comic market goes a few years back—they’ve been distributing digital comics in French there for a few years, but this is a way bigger move for them to get access to one of the premiere catalogs in France. And of course, the French comics market’s expansion into the still growing US market is a smart move for them as well.

Here’s a list of the lead titles:

The Curse of the Wendigo written by Mathieu Missoffe and illustrated by Charlie Adlard.
To be published in two monthly installments, beginning July 6.
What creature is dangerous enough to unite the French and German troops in July of 1917? Only one man knows: Wohati, one of the 12,000 Native Americans in the U.S. Army. Wohati must lead two warring sides to solve the mystery of the Wendigo, for he alone understands the horror of what’s out there waiting for them.

Iron Squad co-created and written by Jean-Luc Sala and illustrated by Ronan Toulhoat.
comiXology exclusive cover for issue 1 by Matteo Scalera (Secret Avengers)
To be published in ongoing monthly installments, beginning July 6.
What if new technology in 1944 turned the course of World War II and led the Germans to victory?

Josephine created, written and illustrated by Pénélope Bagieu
To be published in ongoing monthly installments, beginning July 6.
Cartoonist and blogger Pénélope Bagieu tells the story of Josephine, featuring professional relationships gone awry, a series of faux pas, and many a failed romance.

Prométhée created, written and illustrated by Chrisopher Bec
To be published in ongoing monthly installments, beginning July 6.
Preface by bestselling writer Mark Waid (Insufferable)
comiXology exclusive cover for issue 2 by Andrea Sorentino (Old Man Logan)
What happened on September 21, 2019 at 1:13 PM can never be explained. And then, for 13 consecutive days, another unexplainable phenomenon occurs… every day at exactly 1:13 PM.  Prométhée is a mind-bending science fiction story written and drawn by Chrisopher Bec that recalls Lost and the very best science fiction.

Spin Angels co-created and written by Jean-Luc Sala and illustrated by Pierre-Mony Chan
To be published in ongoing monthly installments, beginning July 6.
The bestselling, action-filled Spin Angels series features a Catholic Church Cardinal who runs a black-ops group of spies, and the mafia godfather who puts his very best hitman in service of the Vatican in order to settle a debt.

ABOUT THE LEAD GRAPHIC NOVEL:

Come Prima created, written and drawn by Alfred
To be published on July 6.
With his award winning graphic novel Come Prima, Alfred (Why I Killed Peter) has created a poignant homage to Italian cinema and a surprising story about two brothers who hit the road following their father’s death.

UPCOMING TITLES INCLUDE:

The Call of the Stryx created by Corbeyran and Richard Guérineau
To be published in ongoing monthly installments, beginning July 6.”
The mysterious creatures known only as the Stryx have infiltrated the most powerful political office.

Elves created by Jean-Luc Istin and Kyko Duarte.
Debuts July 17.
Preface by Terry Moore.
All of the inhabitants of the Ennlya are dead. Are the humans or the blue elf Vaalann responsible?

Hauteville House created by Fred Duval and Thierry Gioux, with art by Christophe Quet.
Debuts July 17.
comiXology exclusive cover for issue 1 by Mahmud Asrar (All New X-Men)
The 19th century: a times of heroes without fear living great adventures.