Le Tengû Carré

by David B.

Le Tengu Carré mélange mythologie traditionnelle japonaise et folklore personnel de David B. En effet, à l'époque où il dévorait des livres sur l'histoire et les légendes du Japon, il décida d'adapter à sa manière deux livres de ses livres de le premier d'un célèbre conteur japonais et le second d'un grand dessinateur d'estampes anciennes. Cette première incursion de David B. en 1997 chez un "gros éditeur" (Dargaud), trouve aujourd'hui sa place définitive dans la collection Ciboulette.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Pierre-François Beauchard, who uses the pen name David B., was one of the initiators of the French alternative editorial house L'Association, and is now well-known among the French comics audience. After his Applied Arts studies, David B. had his first publications in magazines such as Chic, Circus, Okapi and A Suivre. Among his early creations are 'Le Timbre Maudit', a story published in Okapi, and 'the mini-series 'Zèbre' in Chic. As a scenarist, he cooperated with Olivier Legan on 'Pas de Samba pour Capitaine Tonnerre', an album published by Glénat in 1985.

After he co-founded L'Association in 1990, he began using the pseudonym David B. and specialized in short black-and-white stories, detailing nightmarish dreams, collected in the album 'Le Cheval Blême' in 1992. As powerful as his dream imagery is in itself, it is amplified by his masterful use of black and white drawings. In the Association's magazine Lapin, he published series like 'Le Prophète Voilé', 'Le Jardin Armé' and 'Le Voyage de l'Est'. From 1996, Beauchard has concentrated on the autobiographical series 'L'Ascension du Haut-Mal', which earned him the highest praise from comics critics.

In addition to his work for L'Association, David B. cooperated with the publishing house Cornélius, where he published the quarterly comic book Le Nain Jaune from 1993 to 1994, as well as 'Les Quatre Savants' from 1996 to 1998. He was also present in the reviews Fusée and Le Cheval sans Tête (with 'Les Incidents de la Nuit'). Also present at Dargaud, he made 'Le Tengû Carré', an allegory of Japanese legends, and the scenarios of 'La Révolte d'Hop Frog' and 'Les Ogres', which were illustrated by Christophe Blain. For the publisher's collection Poisson Pilote, he made 'Urani - la Ville des Mauvais Rêves' (script by Joann Sfar) and 'Les Chercheurs de Trésor'.

After May 2000 David B's work would reach a wider public when his artwork was featured in the collection Aire Libre by the popular publisher Dupuis. After 'Le Capitaine Écarlate' (with artwork by Emmanuel Guibert) in 2000, David wrote and drew the album 'La Lecture des Ruines' in 2001. David B has also been active as an illustrator for Le Seuil, Automne 67, Albin Michel and Coconino Press.

Reviews

[EU]

D’abord, il y a le dessin de David B. Personnellement, j’adore. Et puis il y a sa capacité à saisir le monde des Yokai à sa manière, qui ne me paraît pas trahir l’esprit japonais tout en étant profondément propre à l’univers si particulier de l’auteur.
Je n’ai pas grand-chose à ajouter. C’est un beau livre, et il vous fait voyager dans un monde onirique. Je ne me lasse pas de le relire.

[Flavie Chatel]

Lecture agréable, des illustrations vraiment tops !

[VAle]

preso in biblioteca

Dopo Il grande male sentivo il bisogno di leggere qualcos'altro di David B. e questo era esattamente ciò che volevo: una storia piena di battaglie, guerrieri, samurai. Una di quelle a cui faceva riferimento nel suo capolavoro.
Tutto sommato sono rimasta soddisfatta. La storia scorre lineare, i personaggi vengono tratteggiati in poche tavole, funzionalmente alla trama.
Di certo questa breve storia non compete in complessità e compiutezza con Il grande male, ma vi si riconoscono in filigrana alcuni dei temi e dei topoi che lo caratterizzeranno.