"agnès b.’s tastes speak for her."
Author and comic book illustrator Guy Delisle shares insights about his latest work and the strong bond he has with the Montpellier agnès b. boutique.
His travel Chronicles, from North Korea to Jerusalem, as well as stories about his family life (Le Guide du Mauvais Père), have made the Quebec native one of the most acclaimed French-language comic book authors worldwide. Based in Montpellier, southern France, for the past 30 years, he has made it a habit to hold his book signings at the local agnès b. boutique. This was the case last December for the release of his latest work, Pour une fraction de seconde (For a Split Second), about the American photographer and filmmaker Eadweard Muybridge, a pioneer of the late 19th century.
How did the story between agnès b. and you begin?
It’s first and foremost a story of friendship. I left Canada almost 30 years ago with just a backpack to explore the Old World. I came to work in animation in the south of France, north of Montpellier. And I never left. While visiting the agnès b. boutique in Montpellier with my partner, we struck up a friendship with Mylinh (the assistant manager). Since then, we’ve become friends. We still occasionally go there to buy a piece from agnès b. I often do my signings there—it’s a place where I feel good.
How did you transition from animation to comics?
I arrived here during the golden age of animation. But over time, some studios closed, and I gradually shifted to comics. After a trip to China in the late 1990s, I had plenty of funny stories to tell. That resulted in Shenzhen (2001).
What does agnès b. evoke for you?
The brand exists without advertising, like an understated idea that lives beyond clothing, through art and events. There’s something mysterious about it. It feels deeply rooted. Without being overly showcased, agnès b.’s tastes speak for her. It’s a beautiful anachronism. She makes people look good, too. I’m far from an expert, but I’ve bought a few shirts over the years. I wore them on TV sets to add a touch of flair. My mother used to make her own clothes, which taught me how to recognize when a garment is well made. I enjoy flipping things inside out and seeing the behind-the-scenes details. Even behind the scenes, agnès b. is lovely.
How did you choose the subject for your latest work, Pour une fraction de seconde?
For once, it’s neither about me nor my children. (Laughs) In the world of animation, you vaguely hear about Eadweard Muybridge. He created animated sequences that everyone watches, but almost no one knows the dramatic story of his life. He killed his wife’s lover and faced the death penalty. It was the Wild West, in the 1880s. He was also a great photographer who invented the modern shutter and was one of the pioneers of cinema. It’s a good story. A costume drama, in fact. I often connect to clothing; it gives characters depth. In 1880, people wore high collars, tailcoats, and ribbons. It sets a Western mood.
Pour une fraction de seconde, by Guy Delisle, Delcourt (2024).
