This graphic anthology is dedicated to Elvifrance, the scandalous French
publisher of
erotic comic books whose catalogue was under the fierce scrutiny of French censorship authorities from the 1970s to the 1990s. The publication takes a look back at this infamous history through many unpublished archives and a wide selection of covers. It also features an ensemble of covers revisited by some forty contemporary graphic artists.
From 1970 to 1992, Elvifrance flooded French newsstands with obscene, violent, disgusting, scandalous comics… More than 4000 pocket-sized comic books were translated from the Italian, including the famous
Luciféra,
Jacula,
Zara,
Sam Bot,
Isabella,
Jungla,
Incube,
Electrochoc,
Terror,
Outre-Tombe,
Terrificolor,
Prolo,
Mortimer,
Hitler,
Wallestein,
Zordon… French censorship authorities prohibited and prosecuted the Press' and its owner, Elvifrance amassed hundreds lawsuits and bans. In this publication, edited by
Stéphane Blanquet, specialist Bernard Joubert explores this extraordinary publishing journey though a meticulous archival work. A large ensemble of covers illustrates Elvifrance's scandalous editorial choices (necrophilia, incest, crimes…). Some forty contemporary artists also pay homage to Elvifrance by reinterpreting memorable covers.
With Yvan Alagbé, Martes Bathori,
Gilles Berquet,
Marie-Pierre Brunel, Guy Brunet,
Julien Brunet,
Marc Brunier-Mestas,
Olivia Clavel, Zélie Doffémont, Gabriel Evrard, Diego Fermin,
Frédéric Fleury, Irène Gérard,
Céline Guichard,
Joël Hubaut, Patrick Jannin, Joko, Jürg,
Jurictus, Philippe Lagautrière, Nicolas Le Bault, Bertrand Leonard, Leyd,
Laurent Lolmède,
Mirka Lugosi, Marine Luszpinski, Anne Mathurin, Stu Mead, Benoît Montjoie,
Moolinex, Saralisa Pegorier,
Tom de Pékin, Kiki Picasso,
Jacques Pyon,
Bruno Richard, Jessica Rispal, Xavier Robel, Samplerman, Stéphanie Sautenet, Tanxxx, Dominique Théate,
Amandine Urruty,
Aleksandra Waliszewska.
Bernard Joubert (born 1961) is a censorship specialist and historian of comic books.
