Literally “drawn strip,” bande dessinée (BD) refers to the rich, mature comic strip and graphic novel tradition of French-speaking Europe—primarily France and Belgium. Unlike American superhero comics or Japanese manga, BD is widely regarded as the neuvième art (the ninth art) and is treated with the same cultural seriousness as literature or cinema. Adults read BD on commuter trains; scholars analyze its semiotics; the government funds BD museums and festivals.
The 1960s and 1970s also saw the rise of more adult-oriented comics, such as those created by Jean Giraud (aka Moebius) and Enki Bilal. These works pushed the boundaries of the medium, exploring complex themes and experimenting with innovative storytelling techniques. la bande dessinee
In 1959, Pilote changed everything. It targeted older teens and adults. Under the guidance of Goscinny (the writer behind Asterix ), BD became satirical, historical, and complex. Asterix the Gaul , first published in Pilote , sold over 370 million copies worldwide—proof that bande dessinée was a global force. Literally “drawn strip,” bande dessinée (BD) refers to
Key technical terms include the vignette (individual panel) and the cage (the overall layout/grid of panels on a page). The 1960s and 1970s also saw the rise
The term "Ninth Art" was coined in 1964 by critic Claude Beylie, classifying BD alongside architecture, sculpture, painting, music, dance, poetry, cinema, and television. But what makes it unique?