The Los Angeles Times profiles the pseudonymous Pierre Dragon, a French anti-terrorism chief who’s begun writing a popular comics series based on his real-life adventures.
Dragon’s artistic adventure began during the international furor over caricatures of the prophet Muhammad published by a Danish newspaper in September 2005, setting off anger, violence and a debate about freedom of the press and religious tolerance. When Charlie Hebdo, a satirical weekly here, published the cartoons the following February, Muslim extremists responded with threats.
Dragon’s unit got involved in protecting the staff. During a meal with journalists and writers, he met Joann Sfar, an editor at the Gallimard publishing house. After a session of hearing his war stories, Sfar asked him whether he would be interested in participating in a comic book project.
Faithful to his culture of secrecy, Dragon had to think it over and ask his bosses for permission. His response: “As long as it’s poetry, I am allowed to do it.”
The first issue in the series, RG: Riyadh on the Seine — created with Swiss cartoonist Frederik Peeters — was released in May. (RG stands for Renseignements Generaux, or “General Intelligence.”) A second volume is due next spring.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:27 am
I read about it in a french comics magazine. It apparently is a somewhat realistic depiction of undercover police work, which “Dragon” describes as being different from what most people believe it is (and certainly VERY different of what you see on the movies!).
Peeters is an award-winning cartoonist, the series is very promising!
Best,
Hunter (Pedro Bouça)
August 20th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
If its in English, I’ll buy it.
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Can anyone tell me how to go about buying “RG: Riyadh on the Seine”?
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:10 pm
There’s an ISBN number on the publisher’s website, so you might see whether your local retailer can order it.