Alban #3

The third volume of this French bande dessinée series carries the evocative subtitle O Sancta Simplicitas I, and the cover — rendered in rich, earthy tones by Fourquemin, Dieter, and Voillat — immediately draws you into a chaotic medieval melee, with heavily armored warriors clashing amid a tangle of shields, blades, and snarling faces. Perched above the fray, a smaller figure looks on with an expression that suggests either innocence or quiet bewilderment, a striking contrast to the violence below. Published by Soleil in 2000, this album showcases the series' distinctive blend of gritty historical atmosphere and a touch of wry humanity.