Jeune Europe [Collection Jeune Europe] #106

From the Collection Jeune Europe line published by Le Lombard in 1976, this installment of Simon du Fleuve brings Claude Auclair's rugged adventure series to a snow-blanketed mountain setting in "Le clan des centaures." The cover — entirely Auclair's work, from pencils to inks — puts a determined, heavily built blond man front and center, striding urgently through the alpine snow with a shovel in hand while mounted figures pursue him across the frozen ridgeline behind. It's a compelling snapshot of tension and endurance that showcases why Auclair's clean, naturalistic line work made Simon du Fleuve one of the more distinctive francophone adventure strips of its era.