French Literature Reviews - 2026
Bastien Bertine, Céline comix
Art and Visual Culture
Preface by Émile Brami
When discussing the work of Louis-Ferdinand Céline and comic books, one immediately thinks of Tardi and his adaptation of Journey to the End of the Night. Yet, far beyond the mere adaptation of his texts, Céline—through his narrative style, his use of typography, and his language—has inspired numerous comic book creators, while he himself was an avid reader of comics. The connections between Céline and the medium of comic books are therefore multiple and complex.
Did reading comics have an impact on the Célinian universe? Are there phenomena of intertextual cross-reference between Céline's work and comic books? Can we find traces, echoes, or memories of reading Céline within comic books, beyond the specific case of illustrations? What about in the works of Hergé or Manu Larcenet?
Read an excerpt on the publisher's website…
Bastien Bertine is a comic book author and illustrator who graduated from the European School of Visual Arts (École Européenne Supérieure de l'Image) in Angoulême. Having worked as an assistant to Jessica Abel on the graphic novel Out on the Wire, he published the comic book Bienvenue à l'usine in February 2020 (published by Vide Cocagne).
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Press Review
This volume addresses the multifaceted relationship between the literary style of Louis-Ferdinand Céline and the medium of comic books, moving well beyond straightforward textual adaptation. The text considers how typography, narrative rhythm, and linguistic choices create parallels between Céline’s writing universe and sequential art. It raises questions about potential cross-references and the circulation of motifs between the author's prose and graphic narratives, touching upon notable figures such as Tardi, Hergé, and Manu Larcenet. Readers interested in the intersections of French literature and visual media may find it a relevant exploration.
The study is situated within the broader context of adaptations and artistic influences connecting twentieth-century prose to the evolution of the comic strip. Scholars of modern French literature and graphic novels frequently examine how stylistic innovations in one medium resonate within the visual storytelling techniques of another. This publication contributes to that ongoing critical discussion by charting the various echoes and traces linking a major modernist author to the traditions of illustrated narratives. The author brings a background in comic book creation and visual arts training to this investigation of intermedial exchange.