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La belle mort #1-5
The Beautiful Death
The end of the world has happened... and the insects won.
When humanity came face to face with insectoid aliens from outer space intent on taking over the earth, it never occurred to anyone that they would come out the other side of the battle that followed the losers. But they did. Now, with what remains of the human race in tatters, a small band of misfits scraping a living in the remains of a city question what it means to be truly alive in a world where surviving asks everything of you, and hope is just a memory.
When humanity came face to face with insectoid aliens from outer space intent on taking over the earth, it never occurred to anyone that they would come out the other side of the battle that followed the losers. But they did. Now, with what remains of the human race in tatters, a small band of misfits scraping a living in the remains of a city question what it means to be truly alive in a world where surviving asks everything of you, and hope is just a memory.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published May 26, 2011
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312 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 30, 2020
3.5
No esperaba mucho de esta novela gráfica y me sorprendió gratamente. Si bien la historia se me hizo cliché el arte es asombroso y que todo se mueva entre lo objetivo y lo irreal me gustó bastante. Los personajes no se desarrollan ampliamente, pero son solo 5 capítulos y se entiende, el final medio desangelado pero el viaje se me hizo muy bueno.
No esperaba mucho de esta novela gráfica y me sorprendió gratamente. Si bien la historia se me hizo cliché el arte es asombroso y que todo se mueva entre lo objetivo y lo irreal me gustó bastante. Los personajes no se desarrollan ampliamente, pero son solo 5 capítulos y se entiende, el final medio desangelado pero el viaje se me hizo muy bueno.
May 1, 2021
Découvrir la première oeuvre d'un de ses auteurs favoris, ça a quelque chose d'émouvant. Ce n'est pas parfait, certes, mais l'ambiance est glaçante, le trait est déjà incroyable et on sent les prémices d'une réflexion globale sur le destin de l'humanité. Pour toutes ces raisons, ce roman graphique est à lire !
July 22, 2019
It took me too much time to finish this, every time I jumped into, after one page I had to stop. I didn't like it at all. It was bad and sooo confusing sometimes. I also do not understand how many people adore the artwork, but okay. Some buildings and scenes were nice and interesting to look at, but otherwise, this whole story was a waste of time for me.
Still better than Amaltea I guess, so 1,5/5.
Still better than Amaltea I guess, so 1,5/5.
December 27, 2017
J'ai beaucoup aimé les dessin, mais pas le scénario.
October 12, 2023
Scénario un peu confus mais j'ai quand même aimé. Après je ne suis peut etre pas toujours ultra objective avec le post apo aha.
Et pis c'est beau
Et pis c'est beau
March 14, 2021
C'est très émouvant de lire la première oeuvre d'un auteur que l'on adore déjà. Et les ajouts de la réédition sont merveilleux.
March 26, 2018
Cela a été une jolie lecture, intrigante, dérangeante sans être pour autant un coup de cœur.
Je n’ai pas été emportée par le scénario bien que je l’ai trouvé intéressant. Il m’a manqué un petit quelque chose.
Tout du long de la bd, j’avais ce sentiment de déjà vu : un monde post-apocalyptique, trahison, théorie du complot, la prise de contrôle, la manipulation féminine pour la préservation de l’espèce...
Mais surtout, je suis restée avec pas mal de questions en suspens à la fin de ma lecture.
Le style graphique m’a impressionné, le travail sur les illustrations urbaines et les nombreux détails qui s’y trouvent sont impressionnant. J’ai découvert les créations de Mathieu Bablet et j’irais creuser un peu pour voir ses autres publications.
L’objet livre en lui-même est également très beau, une belle bd que l’on a envie d’ouvrir et de découvrir, de montrer !
L’auteur nous fait questionner sur nous-même : que ferions-nous si l’on était le dernier homme ou femme sur la terre ?
Même si je n’ai pas autant aimé que je l’aurais souhaité, je suis très contente d’avoir pu la découvrir.
Je n’ai pas été emportée par le scénario bien que je l’ai trouvé intéressant. Il m’a manqué un petit quelque chose.
Tout du long de la bd, j’avais ce sentiment de déjà vu : un monde post-apocalyptique, trahison, théorie du complot, la prise de contrôle, la manipulation féminine pour la préservation de l’espèce...
Mais surtout, je suis restée avec pas mal de questions en suspens à la fin de ma lecture.
Le style graphique m’a impressionné, le travail sur les illustrations urbaines et les nombreux détails qui s’y trouvent sont impressionnant. J’ai découvert les créations de Mathieu Bablet et j’irais creuser un peu pour voir ses autres publications.
L’objet livre en lui-même est également très beau, une belle bd que l’on a envie d’ouvrir et de découvrir, de montrer !
L’auteur nous fait questionner sur nous-même : que ferions-nous si l’on était le dernier homme ou femme sur la terre ?
Même si je n’ai pas autant aimé que je l’aurais souhaité, je suis très contente d’avoir pu la découvrir.
October 19, 2025
Quand est ce qu'ils font un film en fait ??
June 20, 2018
Finalement un peu déçue alors que j'adore le trait de Mathieu Bablet, et que je garde un souvenir très fort de Shangri-La.
J'ai trouvé cet opus moins bon, pas sur le dessin, mais plutôt sur le scénario, dans les dialogues, dans l'histoire en général. Si j'admire le côté novateur de la dystopie, et si j'adore le retournement de situation du début, j'ai l'impression que plus la lecture avance plus ça devient un peu n'importe quoi, et je me suis complètement perdue, mais pas de manière agréable.
Bref, pas une réussite selon moi, même si les atouts sont indéniables et qu'ils auraient mérités d'être plus développés.
J'ai trouvé cet opus moins bon, pas sur le dessin, mais plutôt sur le scénario, dans les dialogues, dans l'histoire en général. Si j'admire le côté novateur de la dystopie, et si j'adore le retournement de situation du début, j'ai l'impression que plus la lecture avance plus ça devient un peu n'importe quoi, et je me suis complètement perdue, mais pas de manière agréable.
Bref, pas une réussite selon moi, même si les atouts sont indéniables et qu'ils auraient mérités d'être plus développés.
June 7, 2019
Le contexte apocalyptique (plein d'insectes) était très sympa et le côté survie bien explicité, avec suffisamment d'informations pour qu'on comprenne ce qui avait amené les personnages jusqu'à ce point de leur vie. Comme j'aime beaucoup la patte artistique de Bablet, c'était très agréable de parcourir les pages, mais l'histoire a moins fonctionné avec moi. Si je l'ai lue sans problème, ni ennui, l'ensemble est resté plat au niveau émotionnel (alors que j'ai apparemment développé un certain attachement pour Adrastée).
December 28, 2018
A trio of wanderers try to find a reason to stay alive in a world left empty of humans by a vast bug invasion. That's the appealing way to describe The Beautiful Death, the kind of description that would fit neatly on the back cover. Really, The Beautiful Death is a bunch of well-illustrated nonsense that jumps around in time with minimal connecting tissue. Ultimately, there's some kinda acid trip mind-meld with the bugs, but by that point I was thoroughly checked out. The best part by far is the art, which features some expertly rendered post-apocalypse cityscapes.
April 1, 2022
Première oeuvre publiée de Bablet, on sent que c'est encore balbutiant : beaucoup d'éléments restent sans réponse notamment. Néanmoins, ce post-apo angoissant reste bien mené même si ça manque de profondeur.
Au niveau de dessin on retrouve par contre tout le style de Bablet pour le plus grand plaisir des amateurs.
À réserver plutôt aux inconditionnels de l'auteur.
La réédition offre quelques rajouts appréciables.
Au niveau de dessin on retrouve par contre tout le style de Bablet pour le plus grand plaisir des amateurs.
À réserver plutôt aux inconditionnels de l'auteur.
La réédition offre quelques rajouts appréciables.
October 28, 2018
The beautiful art with the boring story.
July 3, 2023
3.5, on sent que c’est une œuvre de Bablet qui date un peu. Il y’a tous les prémices de Shangri-La et Carbone et Silicium. Les planches sont magnifiques et fourmillent de milles détails vraiment beaux et chouettes. L’histoire est un peu décevante, c’est allé un peu vite, des choses assez convenues et d’autres hyper floues. Ça reste un bon moment de lecture et j’aime quand même beaucoup les questions sous-jacentes aux récits post-apo.
January 22, 2025
La historia me ha parecido floja pero el dibujo me ha gustado mucho. Creo que el formato álbum va muy bien para este tipo de historias que tienen poco que decir pero muchos detalles que mostrar en sus ilustraciones. Los paisajes urbanos de este cómic son muy chulos.
Por otro lado, hay personajes que titubean y eso me saca de la historia, porque nadie habla así.
Se nota que es una de las primeras historias del autor porque se percibe un poco amateur.
Por otro lado, hay personajes que titubean y eso me saca de la historia, porque nadie habla así.
Se nota que es una de las primeras historias del autor porque se percibe un poco amateur.
July 31, 2021
Lo mejor del comic son los escenarios en ciudad, la arquitectura de como hace la ciudad, pero en general no me ha gustado. Diria que incluso 3 estrellas se le hacen sobrevalorarlo. El final no se entiende muy. Ien y tampoco lo quiere presentar con algunos personajes. Sin mas, otro del monton que viendo el precio mejor que no lo compres
January 14, 2021
SF / post apocalyptique. Ma première lecture de l’auteur. Dérangeante donc intéressante. Je suis restée sur ma faim. J’aurais préféré quelque chose de plus fouillé. Beaucoup d’éléments sont restés sans explications ou début d’explications. J’ai cependant envie de creuser l’univers de cet auteur avec d’autres ouvrages plus récents
July 19, 2021
La Tierra ha sido invadida por una forma de insectos extraterrestres que han exterminado a la humanidad salvo un reducido grupo de amigos que hurgan entre las ruinas en busca de alimentos con los que subsistir, si bien saben que, a largo plazo, su supervivencia es imposible.
Así, nos encontramos ante un escenario apocalíptico bastante tópico. Sin embargo, la forma del ataque que ha recibido la Tierra no, por lo que no cabe hablar de una invasión extraterrestre al uso (no hay combates, no hay naves espaciales ni una resistencia ocultándose entre las ruinas disparando a los invasores.
[+] Reseña completa en Alt+64 wiki. http://alt64.org/wiki/index.php?title...
Así, nos encontramos ante un escenario apocalíptico bastante tópico. Sin embargo, la forma del ataque que ha recibido la Tierra no, por lo que no cabe hablar de una invasión extraterrestre al uso (no hay combates, no hay naves espaciales ni una resistencia ocultándose entre las ruinas disparando a los invasores.
[+] Reseña completa en Alt+64 wiki. http://alt64.org/wiki/index.php?title...
September 28, 2021
Lo que mas destaco es el dibujode la ciudad abandonada y de los edificios es genial, pero el de los personaje no me gusto muy planos.
El guion es mediocre.
Se deja leer pero no es imprecindible
El guion es mediocre.
Se deja leer pero no es imprecindible
March 6, 2018
As I love tales of dystopian or post-apocalyptic words, I chanced upon "The Beautiful Death", a new 5-part series from French creator Mathieu Bablet. This is titled La Belle Mort in French, which undoubtedly sounds more enticing. I glanced at a few scenes and was immediately reminded of some classic horror manga by the Japanese legend which is Kazuo Umezu, as well as the great Junji Ito.
Basically, this is a tale set on our planet, where insects of varying sizes have taken over and humanity, as we know it, has ended. We follow three survivors who are trying to survive in this desolate world, as they follow and repeat their routine of finding a shop or home to get some canned food. They haven't met anyone else in a long time.
I won't give much else of the plot away, suffice to say that it is gripping and the relationship between the characters grabs you from the beginning. What I love about this story, and indeed much Japanese manga, is that you can't take anything for granted. The world and the protagonists are never black-and-white, but multiple shades of grey. Perhaps this is often missing in other graphic novels where there is often a hero we need to "root" for.
The world depicted in both the writing and the illustrations is barren and isolating, and the choices that the characters have to make are equally stark, leaving a "What would you do" theme throughout. The finale to the book left me gasping and has stayed with me for a while. In fact, it has rekindled my love of short-series books, as one can pick them up and finish them in an evening in the time it takes to watch a movie. I'm going to look out for this author in future, and indeed he has opened my eyes to other French artists in this medium.
Basically, this is a tale set on our planet, where insects of varying sizes have taken over and humanity, as we know it, has ended. We follow three survivors who are trying to survive in this desolate world, as they follow and repeat their routine of finding a shop or home to get some canned food. They haven't met anyone else in a long time.
I won't give much else of the plot away, suffice to say that it is gripping and the relationship between the characters grabs you from the beginning. What I love about this story, and indeed much Japanese manga, is that you can't take anything for granted. The world and the protagonists are never black-and-white, but multiple shades of grey. Perhaps this is often missing in other graphic novels where there is often a hero we need to "root" for.
The world depicted in both the writing and the illustrations is barren and isolating, and the choices that the characters have to make are equally stark, leaving a "What would you do" theme throughout. The finale to the book left me gasping and has stayed with me for a while. In fact, it has rekindled my love of short-series books, as one can pick them up and finish them in an evening in the time it takes to watch a movie. I'm going to look out for this author in future, and indeed he has opened my eyes to other French artists in this medium.
February 28, 2019
Well, the art's pretty, in an urban apocalyptic way. We have a few survivors in a world where the insects 'rule' (but the how and why of the actual catastrophe are skipped over, and for much of the story, bugs are a background character ), but the true master appears to be ennui. Our primary trio wander and collect canned food and complain about still being alive. It culminates in an action sequence that is more confusing than enthralling, and the relationships between the characters just don't work for me. There's no real hope in the story, just fatalism and unhealthy people. I never cared about any of them, and their ultimate fates, which I think were supposed to be powerful, were more dull. The action sequences are poorly portrayed and confusing. The epilogue is off kilter, and the prologue's resolution set the wrong tone for me. There are a lot better apocalypses to read about than this, and the beautiful art isn't enough to make up for the too-slow story.
July 16, 2022
Wow, the art and especially the mood in this one is just awesome. I don't think I've ever read a comic in which the creator has taken this much time and space to let the story breathe.
The story has its ups and downs. Mostly ups. Two times I was shocked while reading this. Actually shocked, not surprised. It doesn't happen that often, so that was appreciated. It proves I was lost in the story.
The story has its ups and downs. Mostly ups. Two times I was shocked while reading this. Actually shocked, not surprised. It doesn't happen that often, so that was appreciated. It proves I was lost in the story.
September 25, 2018
The art is lovely and strange (especially the huge cityscapes with giant bugs) but the story hops around too much to be really enjoyable. Its also crazy bleak. Buuuuuut, if you like post apocalypse fiction &/or bugs this might be the graphic novel for you!
April 20, 2013
2,5/5 Très jolis décors
February 16, 2023
It was an interesting take on the end of the world idea. I might have enjoyed it more as a novel, with room to breathe a bit.
July 2, 2021
I really loved this book. It was an astoundingly good graphic novel!
It follows the story of a small group of people left on earth after the insects have taken over. At first it tells us of the way they survive and the struggles they have in their relationships with one another as they try to find a way to live. Later in the story we see parts of their former lives, before the take-over. These vignettes are beautifully crafted showing us so much of each person's character in a small recollection of the past. Then finally we begin to discover the wider story of what happened and what their parts will be in the story of the planet.
The story never drags or loses forward momentum, but unlike many superhero books, the pace is not all at one speed. Sometimes it's contemplative, sometimes dramatic, sometimes action-packed, sometimes tense. However what I loved most about this book was the characterisation. At the end I felt like I really knew these people, as whole individuals with their own faults and flaws, as well as their own strengths and hopes.
The art was idiosyncratic and quite beautiful. It was a joy to see and sometimes left me just drinking in a page. More than just drawing clearly and telling the story, Bablet was also able to infuse the art with feeling.
I am going to try to find English translations of Bablet's other works. He is certainly a comic creator I want to read more of. Highly recommended!
It follows the story of a small group of people left on earth after the insects have taken over. At first it tells us of the way they survive and the struggles they have in their relationships with one another as they try to find a way to live. Later in the story we see parts of their former lives, before the take-over. These vignettes are beautifully crafted showing us so much of each person's character in a small recollection of the past. Then finally we begin to discover the wider story of what happened and what their parts will be in the story of the planet.
The story never drags or loses forward momentum, but unlike many superhero books, the pace is not all at one speed. Sometimes it's contemplative, sometimes dramatic, sometimes action-packed, sometimes tense. However what I loved most about this book was the characterisation. At the end I felt like I really knew these people, as whole individuals with their own faults and flaws, as well as their own strengths and hopes.
The art was idiosyncratic and quite beautiful. It was a joy to see and sometimes left me just drinking in a page. More than just drawing clearly and telling the story, Bablet was also able to infuse the art with feeling.
I am going to try to find English translations of Bablet's other works. He is certainly a comic creator I want to read more of. Highly recommended!
July 18, 2025
Grabbed this from my library on a whim, so I went in totally blind other than seeing the cover.
I hate to be a downer about art, as it's value is so different depending on who is seeing it, so other than saying that it was not my cup of tea, I don't want to sit here and pick apart something that clearly took so much time and dedication.
The story and how it is portrayed was very disturbing to me. Which, hey, I get that might kind of be the point, but it was just way too gruesome for me to garner enjoyment from. It also felt really disconnected from how I see/experience empathy. And, yes, while I realize this is probably done on purpose, it made for a really uncomfortable and anxiety inducing read. I was just sitting there waiting for the next horrible thing to happen.
2 stars from me, because I know that making this must have been a very time consuming task.
DNF
Do not recommend.
I hate to be a downer about art, as it's value is so different depending on who is seeing it, so other than saying that it was not my cup of tea, I don't want to sit here and pick apart something that clearly took so much time and dedication.
The story and how it is portrayed was very disturbing to me. Which, hey, I get that might kind of be the point, but it was just way too gruesome for me to garner enjoyment from. It also felt really disconnected from how I see/experience empathy. And, yes, while I realize this is probably done on purpose, it made for a really uncomfortable and anxiety inducing read. I was just sitting there waiting for the next horrible thing to happen.
2 stars from me, because I know that making this must have been a very time consuming task.
DNF
Do not recommend.
April 30, 2021
Étant la première BD signée par Mathieu Bablet, il est certain qu'on ne peut lui demander autant qu'avec ses chefs d'oeuvres que sont Shangri-La et Carbone & Silicium. Ce scénario de science-fiction post-apocalyptique contemple la vie d'une poignée de survivants dans un centre urbain grouillant d'insectes. Rappelant certains éléments de Chrono Trigger, Xenogears ou encore Ender's Game, on peut pratiquement voir quelles oeuvres du XXe siècle on servi d'inspiration à l'auteur. Néamoins, le style graphique avec une emphase architecturale impressionnante nous laisse présager les améliorations au niveau de son crayon qu'il amènera dans les opus succédant cette oeuvre. Se mérite facilement une note se situant entre le 3 et 4 étoiles.
February 19, 2019
Premise: "The end of the world has happened... and the insects won." This amazing book was written, drawn and colored by Mathieu Bablet in 2011. I read the English translation by Titan Comics (2018). This is a story about three guys trying to survive in a New York-like metropolis years after insectoids from outer space basically wiped out all of humanity. They seem to be the only ones left. The city, or what's left of it, is the main character in the story. Bablet's detailed cityscapes are a marvel. Loved Bablet's pacing and the unexpected turns this story takes. The ending was a bit of a surprise. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews