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Le marquis d'Anaon #1
ILE DE BRAC
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 Nolwen, the baron's son, is found beaten to death "
Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
About the author
Fabien Vehlmann
157 books189 followersUsually uses the pseudonym Vehlmann
Fabien Vehlmann est comme son héros : pétillant, engagé et plein d'humour.
Après avoir patiemment suivi les cours d'une école de commerce nantaise, Fabien Vehlmann réalise que sa voie est ailleurs. Bien décidé à se lancer dans la bande dessinée, il se consacre à l'écriture de manière intensive durant une année entière. Il empile les projets et inonde scrupuleusement la rédaction du journal Spirou. Sa ténacité est récompensée : il y fait ses débuts dans le courant de l'année 1998. Dans les pages du beau journal, il apprend son métier en scénarisant des animations, puis ses premières séries dont le fameux "Green Manor" avec Denis Bodart.
Curieux et enthousiaste, Vehlmann touche à tous les genres : humour, science-fiction, aventure, conte,... Il multiplie les collaborations avec des dessinateurs aux styles aussi divers que Matthieu Bonhomme ("Le Marquis d'Anaon"), Frantz Duchazeau ("Les Cinq conteurs de Bagdad") ou Bruno Gazzotti ("Seuls"). En 2006, il réalise une première aventure de Spirou et Fantasio avec Yoann : "Les Géants Pétrifiés". Quatre ans plus tard, les deux compères reprennent en main la destinée du plus célèbre héros des Editions Dupuis...
Les albums de Spirou qu'il emmènerait sur une île déserte : Le Nid des Marsupilamis, Le Voyageur du Mésozoïque et Virus.
Source: http://www.dupuis.com/catalogue/FR/au...
Fabien Vehlmann est comme son héros : pétillant, engagé et plein d'humour.
Après avoir patiemment suivi les cours d'une école de commerce nantaise, Fabien Vehlmann réalise que sa voie est ailleurs. Bien décidé à se lancer dans la bande dessinée, il se consacre à l'écriture de manière intensive durant une année entière. Il empile les projets et inonde scrupuleusement la rédaction du journal Spirou. Sa ténacité est récompensée : il y fait ses débuts dans le courant de l'année 1998. Dans les pages du beau journal, il apprend son métier en scénarisant des animations, puis ses premières séries dont le fameux "Green Manor" avec Denis Bodart.
Curieux et enthousiaste, Vehlmann touche à tous les genres : humour, science-fiction, aventure, conte,... Il multiplie les collaborations avec des dessinateurs aux styles aussi divers que Matthieu Bonhomme ("Le Marquis d'Anaon"), Frantz Duchazeau ("Les Cinq conteurs de Bagdad") ou Bruno Gazzotti ("Seuls"). En 2006, il réalise une première aventure de Spirou et Fantasio avec Yoann : "Les Géants Pétrifiés". Quatre ans plus tard, les deux compères reprennent en main la destinée du plus célèbre héros des Editions Dupuis...
Les albums de Spirou qu'il emmènerait sur une île déserte : Le Nid des Marsupilamis, Le Voyageur du Mésozoïque et Virus.
Source: http://www.dupuis.com/catalogue/FR/au...
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 11, 2018
I’m on a roll with yet another wonderful comic book. This one follows the adventures of the Marquis de Anaon around the beginning of the 18th century. He is sent to a small island off the coast of France, where a mystery is waiting to be unveiled. The reader can never guess which direction the plot is going to take. Great plotting and wonderful art: essential, and in an mid-area between cartoonish and realistic that I really enjoyed.
Yet another proof that comics are not only mindless and juvenile tripe. They can be quite the contrary, in fact.
Yet another proof that comics are not only mindless and juvenile tripe. They can be quite the contrary, in fact.
August 26, 2016
Surely the most elusive element of any storytelling is to have the reader completely unsure of where the tale is heading and what might happen next, but keep them caring enough about the protagonist that you’re willing enough to stick with them to find out. When I picked up this first book in the Marquis Of Anaon series I had not a clue as to what it was about, but within a handful of pages I was hooked. It’s historical setting, the bleakness of the lives of the islanders, the mystery of the circumstances and its innocent and well-meaning hero shape a scenario that keeps you on that figurative edge of your seat. Is this a book about simple folk struggling with the paranormal, or is it the fact that they know no better that it’s the only conclusion they can draw? Is it a book that embraces the supernatural as a narrative device or simply toys with our collective fascination to string us all along?
Jean-Baptiste is a young man offered employment on the Isle of Brac to tutor the Baron’s son, but from the boat journey that delivers him there he’s quickly aware that something isn’t quite right. However, being young and unexperienced, who is he to judge the behaviour and social conduct of others, especially when things turn nasty on the quayside and violence flares. By the time Jean-Baptiste reaches the Baron’s residence he learns that the son, Nolwen, has run off and is nowhere to be found, and it’s some time until he is located, supposedly killed from a fall from his horse that dragged him some distance. However, Jean-Baptiste has some medical training and notices inconsistencies with this explanation. Unable to leave the island, Jean-Baptiste must delve deeper into the superstitions and fear of the islanders, and a ghostly presence in the woods, to make sense of what’s going on; and his own life depends on it.
On its own the story itself would be an intriguing tale to read, but Matthieu Bonhomme’s artwork is the icing on the cake. His style isn’t over-worked, and complemented by Delf’s colours it is suitably sinister and atmospheric. His portrayal of Jean-Baptiste avoids the usual square-jawed, muscle-bound hero stereotype, and instead gives us a youthful innocent bewildered and yet determined. His style reminded me much of the excellent Eduardo Risso of 100 Bullets fame.
Exactly what this book is about, and what the series promises to be, I’ll leave for to discover, but I will say that this is an excellent opening chapter that I can’t imagine anyone will be disappointed by.
Jean-Baptiste is a young man offered employment on the Isle of Brac to tutor the Baron’s son, but from the boat journey that delivers him there he’s quickly aware that something isn’t quite right. However, being young and unexperienced, who is he to judge the behaviour and social conduct of others, especially when things turn nasty on the quayside and violence flares. By the time Jean-Baptiste reaches the Baron’s residence he learns that the son, Nolwen, has run off and is nowhere to be found, and it’s some time until he is located, supposedly killed from a fall from his horse that dragged him some distance. However, Jean-Baptiste has some medical training and notices inconsistencies with this explanation. Unable to leave the island, Jean-Baptiste must delve deeper into the superstitions and fear of the islanders, and a ghostly presence in the woods, to make sense of what’s going on; and his own life depends on it.
On its own the story itself would be an intriguing tale to read, but Matthieu Bonhomme’s artwork is the icing on the cake. His style isn’t over-worked, and complemented by Delf’s colours it is suitably sinister and atmospheric. His portrayal of Jean-Baptiste avoids the usual square-jawed, muscle-bound hero stereotype, and instead gives us a youthful innocent bewildered and yet determined. His style reminded me much of the excellent Eduardo Risso of 100 Bullets fame.
Exactly what this book is about, and what the series promises to be, I’ll leave for to discover, but I will say that this is an excellent opening chapter that I can’t imagine anyone will be disappointed by.
July 18, 2021
A quick read, being a 48-page graphic novel set in early 18th century France. It has gothic overtones which I enjoyed, and reviews of the series say it develops something of an historical X-Files feel.
This introductory book sets up Jean-Baptiste Poulain as the the titular Marquis d'Anaon which, "Spooky Mulder" style, means The Marquis of Lost Souls!
I wasn't completely blown away, but at 3.5⭐, I'll get the next in the series, at least.
This introductory book sets up Jean-Baptiste Poulain as the the titular Marquis d'Anaon which, "Spooky Mulder" style, means The Marquis of Lost Souls!
I wasn't completely blown away, but at 3.5⭐, I'll get the next in the series, at least.
May 28, 2016
The first album in the series The Marquis of Anaon, written by Fabien Vehlmann and drawn by Matthieu Bonhomme. It follows Mister Jean Baptiste Poulain, who has been employed to tutor the son of Baron Gwenolé of Brac, but arrives only to find the young man Nolwen dead. Mysteries start to unravel, and Poulain finds himself in the middle of them.
All in all, an interesting first episode to establish the character of Poulain, and I am certainly down for reading the next album.
All in all, an interesting first episode to establish the character of Poulain, and I am certainly down for reading the next album.
August 1, 2026
A Gothic-thriller type graphic novel; IMO marred by rather explicit/graphic mayhem/violence.
The story is straightforward; sometime before the French Revolution, a somewhat naive scholar, who is also a marquis, from the French mainland is invited to serve as a tutor to the son of a baron, who evidently owns an entire (fictional) island off the coast of Brittany. This Baron has a disgustingly evil ¨Enforcer¨/majordomo named Yvon who keeps the wretched inhabitants of the island ¨in line¨ through violence, such as using a bullwhip on them. Eventually, the truth emerges of the Baron´s equally if not even more evil than the activities of Yvon. The graphic novel does unfold like a classic tale of hubris-nemesis with the bad guys meeting dreadful ends - but not before each of them, especially the Baron, having left a trail of severely damaged island dwellers, including most horribly enough, children. The Marquis manages to ¨get out of dodge¨ in one piece once his ambiguous position is explained by the kindly yet mysterious elderly teller of tales, to the furious islanders, who had thought the entirely innocent marquis was somewhat in league with their oppressor, since he had been hired by the Baron. In fact, the marquis was instrumental in the success of the island's own revolution - overthrowing the cruel, oppressive Baron, his henchman Yvon, and his rule.
I wouldn't recommend this title to kids - in fact it bears parental advice adjacent to the price ¨Ages 12+¨ but it also might be revolting to anyone older than 12. I am quite old by now (74 years old) and found it gratuitously violent and graphic, which is why I gave it a 3-star rating; even though the drawing was excellent, as was the translated text. The color palette was suitably muted/limited to express the homespun look of a pre-industrial era in a rural setting, as well as the dreariness of a forgotten/abandoned/depressed island. Yet, many times, in works of art such as literature or cinema, acts of violence are even scarier if obliquely suggested, rather than explicitly shown. The subtext of the coming French Revolution, and the analogy between the island oppressed by a nobleman and the entire country of France oppressed by a king in pre-revolutionary France, to me at least, still doesn't justify the explicit representations of violence in this graphic novel.
The story is straightforward; sometime before the French Revolution, a somewhat naive scholar, who is also a marquis, from the French mainland is invited to serve as a tutor to the son of a baron, who evidently owns an entire (fictional) island off the coast of Brittany. This Baron has a disgustingly evil ¨Enforcer¨/majordomo named Yvon who keeps the wretched inhabitants of the island ¨in line¨ through violence, such as using a bullwhip on them. Eventually, the truth emerges of the Baron´s equally if not even more evil than the activities of Yvon. The graphic novel does unfold like a classic tale of hubris-nemesis with the bad guys meeting dreadful ends - but not before each of them, especially the Baron, having left a trail of severely damaged island dwellers, including most horribly enough, children. The Marquis manages to ¨get out of dodge¨ in one piece once his ambiguous position is explained by the kindly yet mysterious elderly teller of tales, to the furious islanders, who had thought the entirely innocent marquis was somewhat in league with their oppressor, since he had been hired by the Baron. In fact, the marquis was instrumental in the success of the island's own revolution - overthrowing the cruel, oppressive Baron, his henchman Yvon, and his rule.
I wouldn't recommend this title to kids - in fact it bears parental advice adjacent to the price ¨Ages 12+¨ but it also might be revolting to anyone older than 12. I am quite old by now (74 years old) and found it gratuitously violent and graphic, which is why I gave it a 3-star rating; even though the drawing was excellent, as was the translated text. The color palette was suitably muted/limited to express the homespun look of a pre-industrial era in a rural setting, as well as the dreariness of a forgotten/abandoned/depressed island. Yet, many times, in works of art such as literature or cinema, acts of violence are even scarier if obliquely suggested, rather than explicitly shown. The subtext of the coming French Revolution, and the analogy between the island oppressed by a nobleman and the entire country of France oppressed by a king in pre-revolutionary France, to me at least, still doesn't justify the explicit representations of violence in this graphic novel.
August 28, 2026
The Marquis of Anaon - Volume 1: The Isle of Brac is an absolute triumph of atmospheric historical fiction that lingers in your mind like a cold coastal fog. As a reader and writer who deeply values tight plotting, meticulous structural pacing, and profound human friction, I found this debut graphic novel to be an incredibly sophisticated, grounded mystery. Fabien Vehlmann and Matthieu Bonhomme reject flashy adventure clichés to build a deeply compelling, intellectual thriller.The Friction of Reason Against Folk TerrorWhat resonates most in this volume is the constant, quiet battle between progress and isolation.A Cartesian Hero in a Gothic World: Jean-Baptiste Poulain is a fantastic protagonist—a man armed only with logic, thrust into a remote, windswept island dominated by paranoia and dark rumors of an "Ogre." The narrative handles his isolation beautifully, tracking how a rational mind cracks under the weight of a community that completely rejects it.The Geography of Dread: Bonhomme’s artwork captures the bleak, freezing landscape of 1720s maritime France with exceptional precision. The stark shifts between the grand, empty shorelines and the tight, candlelit interiors amplify the claustrophobic dread of the script, proving how powerful environment is as a narrative driver.A Tragic, Resonant Identity: The horrifying, grounded resolution of the conspiracy serves as a perfect, heartbreaking character setup. Watching Poulain earn his heavy, localized nickname—the "Marquis of Anaon," or master of lost souls—feels deeply earned, leaving a permanent psychological mark.Final Takeaway: 4./5 StarsThis graphic novel is a masterclass in slow-burning narrative tension and historical realism. It is required reading for anyone who appreciates graphic literature that relies on deep thematic layers, brilliant visual pacing, and an unwavering commitment to mature, psychological drama.
February 15, 2021
Una piacevolissima storia in costume che intreccia mistero e avventura alla Dumas. Nel orimo volume della serie c'è un tocco de Il Conte di Montecristo e un'atmosfera da racconto di Montague James. Jean-Baptiste Poulain, il protagonista, viene assunto come tutore del figlio del Barone di Brac, un'isoletta che, come tutte le isole di un horror che si rispetti, ha una popolazione che è chiusa e diffidente. Appena arrivato a Brac, Jean-Baptiste scopre che il suo pupillo è morto e che la prossima nave che porta sulla terra ferma partirà tra un mese, così Jean, che si guadagnerà in questa prima avventura il nomignolo di Marchese di Ananon, è costretto, suo malgrado a investigare sulle stranezze dell'isola, sulle sparizioni di bambini e la lotta tra aristocrazia e popolani.
Un Bonhomme ancora non all'apice, ma incredibilmente espressivo ed evocativo nel tratteggiare la buia Brac, Vehlmann in grandissima forma. Non vedo l'ora di proseguire la serie che, ad oggi, potete leggere in inglese su kindle unlimited.
P. S. Ma quanto è bella la copertina del primo numero? Quanto è brutto il logo della casa editrice che lo pubblica in inglese?
Un Bonhomme ancora non all'apice, ma incredibilmente espressivo ed evocativo nel tratteggiare la buia Brac, Vehlmann in grandissima forma. Non vedo l'ora di proseguire la serie che, ad oggi, potete leggere in inglese su kindle unlimited.
P. S. Ma quanto è bella la copertina del primo numero? Quanto è brutto il logo della casa editrice che lo pubblica in inglese?
May 6, 2024
An episodic series of occult-ish mysteries, starring a bumbling, timid pedagogue.
The hero, Poulaine, travels to shadow-haunted Brac and hears rumors of ghosts and things seem generally creepy, culminating in a murder. However, Poulaine never does any detective work.
SPOILER
Instead, as he is preparing to leave the island, the scullery maid tells him who the murderer is. No ghost, but a crazed nobleman who kidnaps and experiments on children for psychological research. Unfortunately, the murderer overhears and now wants to kill Poulaine. After a fight and a chase through woods and caves with hunting dogs, the baron is drowned in quicksand in a foreshadowed mishap. This is the closest the story gets to anything supernatural, not very close at all. It’s more scooby-doo than x-files.
/SPOILER
The plot is basic and fine, but nothing unusual. The characters are dry.
The art kind of stinks. There are some nice compositions here and there, but figures are poor. Very often you get the impression you are looking at a crudely traced-over photograph. The action sequences are terrible, no sense of motion. The leaping dogs look frozen and pasted-on.
The hero, Poulaine, travels to shadow-haunted Brac and hears rumors of ghosts and things seem generally creepy, culminating in a murder. However, Poulaine never does any detective work.
SPOILER
Instead, as he is preparing to leave the island, the scullery maid tells him who the murderer is. No ghost, but a crazed nobleman who kidnaps and experiments on children for psychological research. Unfortunately, the murderer overhears and now wants to kill Poulaine. After a fight and a chase through woods and caves with hunting dogs, the baron is drowned in quicksand in a foreshadowed mishap. This is the closest the story gets to anything supernatural, not very close at all. It’s more scooby-doo than x-files.
/SPOILER
The plot is basic and fine, but nothing unusual. The characters are dry.
The art kind of stinks. There are some nice compositions here and there, but figures are poor. Very often you get the impression you are looking at a crudely traced-over photograph. The action sequences are terrible, no sense of motion. The leaping dogs look frozen and pasted-on.
March 2, 2018
Dix-huitième siècle. Un bateau accoste sur une île, les habitants sont bruts de décoffrage, puis un malheur survient. Ca peut sembler cliché comme base de départ mais c'est une BD qui se lit d'une traite tellement on se retrouve plongé dans l'histoire.
Je suis bien curieuse de lire le tome 2 pour le coup.
Je suis bien curieuse de lire le tome 2 pour le coup.
February 21, 2020
18th c. adventure novel meets Edgar Allan Poe. Quite enjoyable
November 4, 2021
Excellent storytelling and art
August 23, 2022
A man goes to an island to tutor a boy. What he stumbles on is anything but normal. Crazy old man, dead children. Stunning tale, nice and creepy. Graphics are good.
May 5, 2023
Didn't really like the art so much (not bad, though) but excellent story.
July 18, 2023
Great detail, gripping story all in very few pages. Intense.
May 19, 2025
Prêt Jean-louis
September 13, 2022
On raconte que ma venue sur l’île n’était pas le fruit du hasard, que j’ai répondu à l’appel des âmes tourmentées […] Je les ai entendues m’appeler “le marquis d’Anaon”. Le marquis des âmes en peine.
Jean-Baptiste Poulain peut rejoindre la longue lignée des enquêteurs du paranormal. Ils sont légion en BD comme ailleurs. Plusieurs me viennent à l’esprit comme le Professeur Bell de Joan Sfar, inspiré de l’univers de Sherlock Holmes, ou encore dans un tout autre style le Hellboy de Mike Mignola et ses collègues du B.P.R.D. On connaît le talent de Fabien Vehlmann au scénario et celui de Matthieu Bonhomme aux dessins et leur collaboration donne une série indémodable à l’ambiance terrifiante – il n’y a pas d’autres mots, mais il faut dire que je suis assez trouillard.
Après avoir posé un pied sur l’île de Brac on n’a qu’une envie, celle de repartir au plus vite – le problème est que s’agissant d’une île, ce n’est pas si facile. J’ai déjà évoqué la qualité de cette série en parlant des tomes 4 et 5, mais ce premier tombe plonge dans l’ambiance – j’en ai encore des frissons.
Également publié sur mon blog.
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February 16, 2015Edición española, primer tomo.
March 4, 2016
The first volume of one of my favorite BD series, finally in English via the good folks at Cinebook. Gripping and gorgeous.
September 15, 2016
Myths, legends, folklore. Mysterious tales where reality is clouded by fear and superstition. Intriguing.
February 21, 2016
A traditional art style graphic novel/cartoon book. Good (3 stars)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews