The third volume of Bellatrix[1] has recently been available from Dargaud editions and throughout Quebec. Imagined by Luiz Eduardo de Oliveira, known as Leo[2], this series is part of the extended universe of Worlds of Aldebaran, a science fiction series that he created in 1994.
In this universe, human beings rub shoulders with extraterrestrial species and humanoids who are sometimes similar to humans. This exciting series where we were able to discover several recurring characters such as Kim Keller and Manon Servoz, addresses different political, social, environmental issues, etc.
Thus, Leo takes us to the ends of the universe to discover The Worlds of Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, Antares, Neptune or Bellatrix which is located 240 light years from Earth. This planet which is similar to the blue planet is populated by intelligent humanoid beings with a history different from that of Earth. The evolution resembles that of the American Wild West with the added presence of mechanical objects such as airplanes. At the social level, what attracts attention are the retrograde ideas that are gaining ground.
The author, who has a sense of detail and precision, invites readers to discover this planet from a perspective of openness and understanding to the extent that the landmarks in Bellatrix are not the same as those on earth.
This is why Leo often gives voice to his characters in order to understand the context of the events that take place in these adventures. He presents with great sensitivity certain subjects such as the rights of women and minorities and the protection of nature.
In this new adventure, Kim and Manon have the mission to go to the planet Bellatrix to protect a politician who is the victim of small obscurantist groups (volume 1). Even if the watchword is not to interfere in certain events, they come up against the mentality that reigns in this world where women do not have the same rights as men (volume 2).
Unfortunately, things do not go as planned and the two women have to fight groups of fanatics as Kim Keller confides: “For unimaginable reasons, Manon and I were left to our own devices for long periods of time, without any help from our ship, which, at times, put our lives in danger. I don’t want to live in this kind of situation again! At several times, we were forced to use a high degree of violence to get out of certain critical situations. This affected me a lot[3]« .
In this third volume of the series, Kim and Manon are not at the end of their troubles, even though the negotiations and negotiations around their rescue between the galaxy’s intervention fleet and the Arcatarodes continue.
The adventure therefore continues for these two strong women through the meadows, savannahs and forests of Bellatrix to meet the inhabitants of this planet who live with their traditions, their contradictions and their consistencies.
Reda Benkoula
[1] Bellatrix – Volume 3 | Leo (Screenplay, Drawing) | Out of the Dargaud Collection | 2025 | 48 pages
[2] Born in 1944, an engineer by training and initially an advertising designer, Leo emigrated from Brazil to France in 1981 to be an author of comics. In addition to the science fiction saga of the Worlds of Aldebaran, he is the author of fantastic stories including Kenya, Namibia, Amazonia and Scotland.
[3] The fictional interview with the character on the back cover of the 3rd volume of Bellatrix is signed by Luis Eduardo Pereira. It allows us to understand the depths of Kim’s thoughts, who is a woman with character and who takes responsibility for her decisions.