Thorgal is a heroic fantasy series that was created by Jean Van Hamme and Grzegorz Rosiński starting in 1977. The original series spans 43 episodes. There are thus several parallel series under the common title of Worlds of Thorgal, where we find the series Kriss de Valnor (8 episodes), Louve (7 episodes), La Jeunesse de Thorgal (11 episodes). More recently, Thorgal Saga, so far consists of 6 volumes.
Childhood fans who became authors of the saga
The success of Thorgal is such that it has spanned the decades and won over generations of adolescents. Some, having grown up, had the privilege of contributing as cartoonists and being part of this great adventure, like the screenwriter Valérie Mangin[1] and the designer Christophe Bec[2], which takes us on a new adventure of the Son of the Stars.
The two French comic artists, who have since made their mark in the world of science fiction and heroic fantasy, admirably appropriate the codes of Thorgal’s universe.
Christophe Bec confides that when he was twelve years old, he discovered Thorgal for the first time. He was then captivated by the script by Jean Van Hamme and the drawings by Grzegorz Rosiński: “I followed Thorgal for many years…The publication of the first Thorgal Saga by Robin Recht rekindled my interest. I almost jokingly imagined what Thorgal would look like under my belt, with thirty years of experience in the profession. » Christophe Bec then suggested to Valérie Mangin to support him in the project of The Amber Goddess[3]. The author also says that the character of Thorgal was a companion during her adolescence and that she experienced real pleasure in making this album, which pays tribute to its creators.
Together, they give us an adventure which takes place at the time when our hero and his wife Aaricia had their first child, Jolan, well before the birth of their daughter Louve.
A graphic odyssey to the rhythm of Scandinavian myths
In this story, Thorgal goes to a village to buy a goat when he saves Ingrid’s life from certain death in the face of bandits. She thanks him and gives him a necklace decorated with an amber stone.
Upon his return home, Thorgal gives the precious jewel to Aaricia. However, when their son Jolan has fun playing with the necklace, he falls into a deep sleep. Thorgal is convinced that he can save his son and lift the curse that has fallen on his family. He said to Aaricia: “I saw our son in a dream…His body is with us, but his spirit is held far away, in a strange place. Her prison is beyond the port where this accursed woman gave me her necklace, somewhere towards the place where the sun rises” (p.16). Thus, Valérie Mangin and Christophe Bec take up the challenge without great difficulty by leading Thorgal to cross the seas, to save her son
Carried by a gripping storyline and sumptuous graphic layout, this new 112-page album allows you to discover the beauty of the landscapes that Thorgal crosses, and to experience the time of a story to the rhythm of Scandinavian myths and legends.
Added to this, at the end of the work, is a formidable gallery of images which extends the depth of this comic strip.
Reda Benkoula
[1] Valérie Mangin is a French comic book writer, born August 14, 1973 in Nancy. She published Inhuman, Tanis, Alix senator, Abymes, The scourge of the gods, The last Trojan, Fates and KGB.
[2] Born August 24, 1969, Christophe Bec is a French comic book author who has published numerous science fiction and heroic fantasy comics. He is the author of Tarzan, The New Adventures of Bruce J. Hawker, Carthago, The Futures of Liu Cixin, Bob Morane, Survival, Olympus mons, Abaddon and Crusaders.
[3] Thorgal Saga, Volume 6, The Amber Goddess | Mangin Valérie (Scenario), Christophe Bec (Drawing), Gaétan Georges (Colors) |Le Lombard | 2026 | 112 pages