Rani #1

From the creative team of Jean Van Hamme and Alcante, with art by Francis Vallès, this 2009 Le Lombard series opener introduces Rani — a dark-haired woman in a flowing red cape who stands her ground with a gleaming sword in hand, a brooding castle looming in the misty background behind her. The subtitle "Bâtarde" (Bastard) hints at a story of contested identity and fierce survival, and the cover's confident, battle-ready pose makes it immediately clear this is a heroine who carves her own path. A compelling start to what promises to be a sweeping Franco-Belgian adventure.