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Silent Jenny
Not yet published
Expected 24 Nov 26In a not-too-distant future, climate change continues to ravage the planet, and the disappearance of insects has led to the end of pollination, rendering vast areas of land infertile. A survival dynamic has emerged—mobile islands called "monads" have formed, and people strive to help each other; each group with its own customs, traditions, and ways of life.
Jenny is a rather solitary researcher trying to restore the world as it once was. She seeks to recover bee DNA to clone and re-create pollinating insects. However, she will come to realize that this is impossible—the old world no longer exists, and a new one must be built. She will understand that instead of looking to the past, she must work collectively with other monad tribes, prioritizing mutual aid and collaboration.
Created by multiple-award winning comics wonderkind Mathieu Bablet, Silent Jenny is, at its heart, a "world-building book"— inventing vehicles, character factions, landscapes, and crafting this universe down to the smallest detail to make it as tangible as possible. An optimistic story that presents solutions to climate change—no eco-anxiety, just hope and innovation.
Jenny is a rather solitary researcher trying to restore the world as it once was. She seeks to recover bee DNA to clone and re-create pollinating insects. However, she will come to realize that this is impossible—the old world no longer exists, and a new one must be built. She will understand that instead of looking to the past, she must work collectively with other monad tribes, prioritizing mutual aid and collaboration.
Created by multiple-award winning comics wonderkind Mathieu Bablet, Silent Jenny is, at its heart, a "world-building book"— inventing vehicles, character factions, landscapes, and crafting this universe down to the smallest detail to make it as tangible as possible. An optimistic story that presents solutions to climate change—no eco-anxiety, just hope and innovation.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
December 25, 2025
“On peut parfaitement s’enchanter du monde dans lequel on vit, tout en étant terrifié de la direction dans laquelle il va.”
Coup de coeur.
Coup de coeur.
November 11, 2025
Nausicaa meets Wall-e and depression.
October 16, 2025
Une pépite. Graphisme magnifique, un univers hyper travaillé, une vraie réflexion sur le temps qui passe et ce que nous faisons du temps qu'il nous reste. Je ne sais pas comment Bablet arrive a sortir autant de banger en aussi peu de temps vu le travail fourni.
Faîtes vous plaisir et lisez cette BD
Faîtes vous plaisir et lisez cette BD
June 11, 2026
Mathieu Bablet’s Silent Jenny is a post-apocalyptic graphic novel that explores climate catastrophe, community, and the challenge of letting go of the past. In a future where the disappearance of insects has devastated ecosystems and agriculture, humanity survives on mobile islands called monads. Jenny, a solitary researcher, embarks on a mission to recover bee DNA and restore pollinators to the world, only to discover that the future may depend less on reclaiming what was lost and more on building something new together.
One of the biggest highlights for me was Jenny’s quest. I was immediately invested in her mission and curious to see where it would lead. The story also offers fascinating glimpses into the different monad societies and the ways people have adapted to this transformed world. I genuinely cared about the characters and found myself rooting for them throughout.
Visually, Silent Jenny is striking. The color palette is distinctive and memorable, and the artwork has a gritty, dirty quality that perfectly suits the setting. I especially loved the environmental illustrations, which were often breathtaking and immersive. The human character designs worked less well for me, though, and did not have quite the same appeal as the world around them.
Despite dealing with heavy themes, the novel never loses its sense of hope. There are several hard-hitting moments, but a spark of optimism persists throughout the story. I really appreciated that balance.
My main criticism lies with the final quarter of the book. The pacing started to feel uneven, and the narrative became somewhat fragmented. I occasionally struggled to follow everything that was happening, which lessened the emotional impact of certain developments.
Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading Silent Jenny. Its compelling premise, thought-provoking themes, and stunning environmental artwork made it a memorable read. It may not have worked for me in every aspect, but I am very glad I picked it up.
I’m grateful to NetGalley, Magnetic Press and Oni Press for the opportunity to read this book in advance and share my thoughts.
One of the biggest highlights for me was Jenny’s quest. I was immediately invested in her mission and curious to see where it would lead. The story also offers fascinating glimpses into the different monad societies and the ways people have adapted to this transformed world. I genuinely cared about the characters and found myself rooting for them throughout.
Visually, Silent Jenny is striking. The color palette is distinctive and memorable, and the artwork has a gritty, dirty quality that perfectly suits the setting. I especially loved the environmental illustrations, which were often breathtaking and immersive. The human character designs worked less well for me, though, and did not have quite the same appeal as the world around them.
Despite dealing with heavy themes, the novel never loses its sense of hope. There are several hard-hitting moments, but a spark of optimism persists throughout the story. I really appreciated that balance.
My main criticism lies with the final quarter of the book. The pacing started to feel uneven, and the narrative became somewhat fragmented. I occasionally struggled to follow everything that was happening, which lessened the emotional impact of certain developments.
Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading Silent Jenny. Its compelling premise, thought-provoking themes, and stunning environmental artwork made it a memorable read. It may not have worked for me in every aspect, but I am very glad I picked it up.
I’m grateful to NetGalley, Magnetic Press and Oni Press for the opportunity to read this book in advance and share my thoughts.
December 26, 2025
C'est clairement pas ça qui va soigner ma dépression.
August 17, 2026
Mundo posapocaliptico con condiciones climáticas extremas tras haber desaperecido las abejas y con ellas todo el ecosistema vegetal.
Un Mundo regido por una gran corporación que controla los recursos. Proscritos que sobreviven de la rapiña y del trabajo sucio que les encarga esta corporación, y seres deformes por la exposición a la intemperie que viven bajo la superficie.
Y luego gente, como la protagonista, que viven al estilo nómada y que representan la supervivencia y el sentimiento de comunidad.
Esta historia ofrece una vision de cómo enfrentar la vida y la muerte, de buscar la felicidad y mantener la esperanza pese a la circunstancias y de luchar frente a la adversida. A su vez, nos muestra la nostalgia que a veces se tiene del pasado y la obstinación al cambio.
Esta historia es una obra maestra, como todo lo de Bablet.
Un Mundo regido por una gran corporación que controla los recursos. Proscritos que sobreviven de la rapiña y del trabajo sucio que les encarga esta corporación, y seres deformes por la exposición a la intemperie que viven bajo la superficie.
Y luego gente, como la protagonista, que viven al estilo nómada y que representan la supervivencia y el sentimiento de comunidad.
Esta historia ofrece una vision de cómo enfrentar la vida y la muerte, de buscar la felicidad y mantener la esperanza pese a la circunstancias y de luchar frente a la adversida. A su vez, nos muestra la nostalgia que a veces se tiene del pasado y la obstinación al cambio.
Esta historia es una obra maestra, como todo lo de Bablet.
January 28, 2026
"On peut parfaitement s'enchanter du monde dans lequel on vit, tout en étant terrifié de la direction dans laquelle il va." (p.277)
April 6, 2026
Through the silent, deadly quest of Jenny – a woman suffering from depression and ‘the drunkenness of the deep’ – who searches for bee DNA in a depressing, ecologically devastated world, Bablet delivers a powerful narrative that makes us reflect on the world of today and the world to come: how should we approach it? In what frame of mind? A quest in isolated monads? Rebuilding society? But what kind of society? And what next?
Once again, Bablet demonstrates his immense talent as a storyteller. The narrative is flawless – 300 pages that flow with extraordinary fluidity – the architecture, the overall design and the settings are impressive, and the colouring is so beautiful it brings tears to the eyes.
An intelligent plot, worthy of the great sci-fi novels, and flawless storytelling. Bablet is undoubtedly one of the most influential authors in contemporary French comics. Don’t miss out.
Once again, Bablet demonstrates his immense talent as a storyteller. The narrative is flawless – 300 pages that flow with extraordinary fluidity – the architecture, the overall design and the settings are impressive, and the colouring is so beautiful it brings tears to the eyes.
An intelligent plot, worthy of the great sci-fi novels, and flawless storytelling. Bablet is undoubtedly one of the most influential authors in contemporary French comics. Don’t miss out.
January 13, 2026
LA PERFECTION
omg Vic avait raison c'est l'apogée du travail de Mathieu Bablet sa meilleure BD !!!!
Tellement de ref a des oeuvres incroyables mixées sur un bouquin tout est parfait parfait parfait j'attends une adaptation en film !!
(petite gay panic pour la cartographe ceux qui savent savent)
(Jenny ma queen je t'aime)
omg Vic avait raison c'est l'apogée du travail de Mathieu Bablet sa meilleure BD !!!!
Tellement de ref a des oeuvres incroyables mixées sur un bouquin tout est parfait parfait parfait j'attends une adaptation en film !!
(petite gay panic pour la cartographe ceux qui savent savent)
(Jenny ma queen je t'aime)
January 8, 2026
Victoire par KO de Mathieu Bablet. Je vais pas m'en remettre, il a touché trop juste.
August 19, 2026
Review to follow.
November 26, 2025
"Si on ne peut que vivre dans la peur du pire, qu'est ce qu'il reste sinon aller de l'avant avec le sourire? "
Des dessins toujours sublimes, une histoire prenante, un questionnement autour de temps, de la mort, de la vie et de la nécessité d'être en perpétuel mouvement. Je crois que c'est mon préféré de Bablet.
Des dessins toujours sublimes, une histoire prenante, un questionnement autour de temps, de la mort, de la vie et de la nécessité d'être en perpétuel mouvement. Je crois que c'est mon préféré de Bablet.
April 20, 2026
Dans un futur glauque sans insecte pollinisateur, la vie se retrouve dans des communautés motorisées, les monades toujours en mouvement sous peine d'anéantissement. Au sein de la monade Le cherche-midi, Jenny, un électron libre, idéaliste et à fleur de peau n'a qu'un but : retrouver la trace d'abeilles dans des paysages dévastés. A cette fin, elle est missionnée par Pyrrhocorp, une société dont les objectifs restent mystérieux. C'est la vie du Cherche-midi, où chacun a un rôle, que l'on suit en général et celle de Jenny l'hypersensible en particulier. Grâce à des planches très détaillées et assez époustouflantes, Mathieu Bablet crée un environnement grandiose et angoissant. Le scénario à l'instar de ces planches est fouillé et sans concession. Une lecture profonde, exigeante et truffée de thématiques diverses. Une bd que je relirai sûrement, tant je suis sûre d'avoir raté quelques détails.
November 8, 2025
El seu millor treball? peut être
October 19, 2025
Holy fucking shit.. Maybe it's just been too long since his last book, and I forgot how hard hitting he can be. Or maybe he's still honing his craft with every new work. But I think this might very well be my favorite of his by a margin, and I was already a fan.
I have a feeling this might be one that convinces those who were still reticent. It's a lot more subtle in its approach to its themes then his previous books were. He's not shoving it in your face quite as much, which I know has been used as criticism against him. His characters are still butt ugly but that's just his style at this point lmao
While Shangri-La tackled consumerism and megacorps, and Carbon&Silicon looked to our impending future, Silent Jenny looks forward. While it might be his darkest in many way, I think it's also his most hopeful.
He imagines an earth post collapse of society, where the world is ruled by a single corporation, and nomadic cities roam the lands to break away from their rule. These "monads" follow only one common rule: never stop, perpetual motion being key to not being caught by Pyrrhocorp. Other than that, every city is its own self sufficient society where everyone contributes and now one own anything. Sound familiar ?
Among this fallen world, we follow Jenny, a microid, meaning she freelances for Pyrrhocorp, shrinking herself Ant-Man style to look for bee samples to be able to clone them and bring back pollination. Jenny has always struggled to accept the world she was born in, and has lived with a dark presence over her shoulder her whole adult life.
Among many things, Bablet tackles eco-anxiety and the crippling depression that can come with looking at world crumble. But, while the ending leaves things up to interpretation, I think his message is a hopeful one in the end
I have a feeling this might be one that convinces those who were still reticent. It's a lot more subtle in its approach to its themes then his previous books were. He's not shoving it in your face quite as much, which I know has been used as criticism against him. His characters are still butt ugly but that's just his style at this point lmao
While Shangri-La tackled consumerism and megacorps, and Carbon&Silicon looked to our impending future, Silent Jenny looks forward. While it might be his darkest in many way, I think it's also his most hopeful.
He imagines an earth post collapse of society, where the world is ruled by a single corporation, and nomadic cities roam the lands to break away from their rule. These "monads" follow only one common rule: never stop, perpetual motion being key to not being caught by Pyrrhocorp. Other than that, every city is its own self sufficient society where everyone contributes and now one own anything. Sound familiar ?
Among this fallen world, we follow Jenny, a microid, meaning she freelances for Pyrrhocorp, shrinking herself Ant-Man style to look for bee samples to be able to clone them and bring back pollination. Jenny has always struggled to accept the world she was born in, and has lived with a dark presence over her shoulder her whole adult life.
Among many things, Bablet tackles eco-anxiety and the crippling depression that can come with looking at world crumble. But, while the ending leaves things up to interpretation, I think his message is a hopeful one in the end
October 15, 2025
Post apo contemplatif et mélancolique qui s’attarde sur des destins de personnages dont principalement Jenny. On ressent un vrai mal-être émanant d’elle en une fuite vers l’avant sans relâche. Sa quête pour trouver une abeille afin de pouvoir cloner le spécimen et relancer la biodiversité sur terre est rendu passionnante par un procédé de rapetissement. On ne trouve pas beaucoup d’action mais j’étais quand même absorbé par ma lecture, j’ai trouvé que la façon de l’auteur de disperser les petites info sur le worldbuilding était très bien fait (rien de trop expliqué mais on devine petit à petit)
October 24, 2025
Toujours excellent <3
Politiquement parlant je le trouve encore plus mature que les productions précédentes de l'auteur, même si je pense que C&S reste au dessus dans mon coeur. Le worldbuilding est aussi super bien pensé, une vraie réussite.
Politiquement parlant je le trouve encore plus mature que les productions précédentes de l'auteur, même si je pense que C&S reste au dessus dans mon coeur. Le worldbuilding est aussi super bien pensé, une vraie réussite.
October 15, 2025
Quand tu précommandes cette BD, que tu la lis d’une traite le soir de sa sortie, et que tu chiales à la fin.
Merci encore, Mathieu.
Merci encore, Mathieu.
November 4, 2025
Obra de arte. El mejor Bablet, en dibujo, en texto y en imaginar futuros.
November 24, 2025
je chiale bordel c'était si bien
January 31, 2026
J’ai pas tout compris de la fin mais c’était trop bien et émouvant et j’ai envie d’acheter ses autres BDs du coup
June 30, 2026
Il y a des qualités indéniables dans Silent Jenny, notamment sur le plan graphique et le word building, une dystopie postapo écologique dans lequel évoluent des micro-sociétés nomades à bord d’embarcations de fortune, les « monades ». Pour moi il y a aussi quelques vraies faiblesses, en particulier dans le scénario : chronologie abstraite, enjeux assez vagues, fin pas du tout claire.
J’ai lu cette BD en pleine canicule et ça Mathieu Bablet n’en est pas responsable, mais je pense qu’on a le droit aussi de noter une œuvre sur l’état dans lequel elle nous a laissée. Je pensais que Silent Jenny allait m’emmener ailleurs, que le récit allait se construire sur l’espoir d’une réparation, ou a minima une trajectoire initiatique pour les personnages. Au final, je suis ressortie de cette lecture amorphe, tendue, l’état dépressif du personnage principal m’a un peu contaminée. C’était bien quand même mais ce n’était pas le banger que j’espérais après avoir lu les premières pages.
Je crois que si la SF est un genre absolument nécessaire pour appréhender notre façon de faire collectif aujourd’hui, y compris dans la cruauté de ses récits, je n’ai trouvé dans cette BD ni message, ni sens, ni réponse - qu’elle soit politique ou poétique.
J’ai lu cette BD en pleine canicule et ça Mathieu Bablet n’en est pas responsable, mais je pense qu’on a le droit aussi de noter une œuvre sur l’état dans lequel elle nous a laissée. Je pensais que Silent Jenny allait m’emmener ailleurs, que le récit allait se construire sur l’espoir d’une réparation, ou a minima une trajectoire initiatique pour les personnages. Au final, je suis ressortie de cette lecture amorphe, tendue, l’état dépressif du personnage principal m’a un peu contaminée. C’était bien quand même mais ce n’était pas le banger que j’espérais après avoir lu les premières pages.
Je crois que si la SF est un genre absolument nécessaire pour appréhender notre façon de faire collectif aujourd’hui, y compris dans la cruauté de ses récits, je n’ai trouvé dans cette BD ni message, ni sens, ni réponse - qu’elle soit politique ou poétique.
November 17, 2025
Juste incroyable.
Review of advance copy received from Autre
"J’aimerais me dire que c’est encore possible, qu’on ne va pas nulle part et que le futur peut être désirable" 🖤
April 9, 2026
Magnifique BD. Dystopie dérangeante mais avec une fin remplie d’espoir
May 16, 2026
c'est excellent, mais je n'ai pas bien compris les dernières pages
July 11, 2026
Beau et bien.
March 16, 2026
Amazing graphic novel with an interesting world and a touching story about people making the best of a post apocalyptic world aboard a romaing town. Great drawings as well.
December 1, 2025
El mejor cómic que he leído este año. Su anterior trabajo fue bueno pero este es espectacular. Un dibujo de 10
January 29, 2026
Ah ouais hein.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews