Collection Pilote #36

A delightful piece of French comics satire from 1981, this Collection Pilote volume spotlights selected works by Alexis, Solé, and Jean-Michel in a "morceaux choisis" (greatest hits) format. The cover sets the playful tone immediately: a contemporary-looking fellow has been transplanted — head and all — onto the painted portrait of an 18th-century nobleman in armor, powdered wig, and royal regalia, with the caption "Vive la Charte! VIVE LE ROI!" skewering political pomposity with a grin. It's a warm, witty invitation into the irreverent humor that made the Pilote collection such a beloved showcase for French bande dessinée comedy.