“Le Monde” presents an exclusive preview of three panels from the third volume of the ongoing series “Madeleine, résistante” (Dupuis), an autobiographical account of the life of Madeleine Riffaud. The story was proposed by writer Jean-David Morvan and illustrator Dominique Bertail. The Second World War has also inspired comic book authors, although perhaps not as much as the previous war, which led to numerous stories set in the trenches of Verdun or featuring “broken faces” as heroes, dominated by Jacques Tardi’s monumental work. However, World War II gave rise to one of the peaks of the 9th art: Maus by Art Spiegelman, a graphic novel published in the United States between 1980 and 1991, recounting the memories of the author’s father, a survivor of the death camps.
Thirty-five years before the first sketches of Maus were drawn, another illustrator, Edmond François Calvo, used a similar graphic system to tell the story of World War II. In “La bête est morte!”, the French are represented as squirrels and rabbits, the Germans have wolf heads, and the Americans are portrayed as liberating bison. Written by Victor Dancette and Jacques Zimmermann, this other masterpiece of comic book history stands out for having been created during the conflict, rather than after – almost “live” from the described events. Upon arriving in France, the GI’s introduced the liberated populations to typical products of the American way of life: chewing gum, Coca-Cola, jeans, and also superheroes. One of them, Captain America, created in December 1940 by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, was particularly popular in the US. Dressed in the colors of the star-spangled banner, the character is defined by his hatred of Nazis, whom he combats in adventures with strong patriotic undertones.
The aftermath of World War II saw the continued depiction of the conflict in comic books, particularly in the form of “penny dreadful” comics in Britain, with the emergence of magazines like Commando (DC Thomson) and War Picture Library (Fleetway). Heroism, battle reenactments, and the glorification of military feats structured these simplistic stories illustrated by relatively unknown foreign artists at the time, such as Hugo Pratt, in a war-centric style far removed from the humanism of future works like Corto Maltese. Despite the end of the war, the topic continued to be explored in different forms within the comic book medium, catering to a variety of interests and audiences.
The article from “Hors-Série Le Monde: 1944 – From landings to the liberation of France”, May 2024, offers a glimpse into the creative process behind the series “Madeleine, résistante”, shedding light on the collaboration between Madeleine Riffaud, Jean-David Morvan, Dominique Bertail, and the publisher, Editions Dupuis. This behind-the-scenes look at the development of the graphic novel showcases the dedication and meticulous research that went into bringing Madeleine Riffaud’s life and experiences as a resistance fighter to the pages of the comic, highlighting the importance of telling such stories in the medium of comic books. The evolution of comic book storytelling and its engagement with historical events, such as World War II, continues to captivate readers and creators alike, offering a unique perspective on the past and its impact on the present and future.
The legacy of World War II in comic books is diverse and multifaceted, ranging from the symbolic representations in works like Maus to the more action-oriented narratives of superhero comics like Captain America. The ability of comic books to navigate complex historical events and personal narratives, while engaging readers with visually compelling storytelling, remains a powerful tool for conveying the human experience of war and resistance. Through the medium of comic books, creators and readers alike can explore the complexities of history, memory, and heroism, offering a unique lens through which to understand and reflect on the impact of World War II on individuals and societies. The ongoing evolution of comic book storytelling continues to elevate the genre as a powerful platform for exploring and commemorating the experiences of those who lived through and fought against the horrors of war, ensuring that their stories are remembered and recognized for generations to come.
