Le Singe de Hartlepool

A single-volume French graphic novel from Delcourt, Le Singe de Hartlepool (2012) is a standalone historical fable inspired by a bizarre local legend from the Napoleonic Wars. The story imagines the fate of a monkey washed ashore in the English port town, where it is mistaken for a French spy and put on trial. Associated with writer Wilfrid Lupano and artist Jérémie Moreau, this critically acclaimed work uses its absurd premise to explore themes of xenophobia and the cruelty of mob mentality. Its concise, powerful narrative and striking art have made it a standout in modern European comics.