Pythons #1

The opening volume of Pythons sets a striking tone right from the cover: a tall, imposing elder figure in a sweeping dark cloak stands sword in hand against a deep crimson sky, while a smaller, lighter-clad figure crouches just behind him — the contrast between the two immediately suggests a story steeped in mentorship, danger, or uneasy alliance. Gabriel Delmas and Joseph Lacroix bring a moody, cinematic quality to this 2007 Editions Carabas release, with bold reds and blacks giving the artwork real atmosphere. If you're drawn to French-language bande dessinée with a dark, dramatic edge, this first tome looks like a compelling place to start.