From Our Continental Correspondent – Spirou returns in great shape
It would seem that Bravo has set an example, as the latest book in the series, Schwartz and Yann’s Le Groom Vert-de-Gris continues on that concept: World War II is raging across Europe and Spirou is working in a hotel that has been commandeered by the Nazi’s during World War II, all the while doing under cover work for the resistance. It’s a real rollercoaster of an adventure, mixing all traditional elements of a World War II story (cruel but stupid Nazis, resistance fighters, Jews in hiding) with a Chaland-like graphical style and a quite typical Bruxellois atmosphere. Somehow it manages to capture the raucousness of the early Jijé stories and translates it to a modern comic that is at once entertaining and thought-provoking, contemporary and historically accurate, and ready for a popular audience as well as critical acclaim.
The best part about the book, in my opinion, is the fact that it is full of little references to other classic bandes-dessinées which, considering that the story is set in 1942, are quite anachronistic. Still, I’d like to present to you a selection of the best bits:
