Gaston #19

Carlsen Comics brings us volume 19 of their German-language Gaston collection, Geniestreiche ("Strokes of Genius"), and the cover sets the tone perfectly. Gaston himself stands in the middle of a gloriously chaotic office — papers scattered everywhere, his faithful cat and seagull caught up in the mayhem — while he throws his hands up and exclaims "Ich habe eine Idee!" ("I have an idea!"). Franquin's wonderfully expressive linework captures that irresistible mix of cheerful disaster and misguided inspiration that has made this lovable office disaster a European comics treasure since long before this 2019 edition.