As every comics fan out there knows, this coming weekend is the madness of the Angoulême International Comics Festival (now in its 40th year!). I wish I were there, but barring that, I can at least plug a project I’ve recently become involved in.
Professor Cyclops is a brand new comics revue conceived expressly for the digital experience, with all manner of multimedia extras. The brainchild of a handful of France’s top young creators—Gwen de Bonneval, Hervé Tanquerelle, Brüno, Marc Lataste, Cyril Pedrosa, and Fabien Vehlmann—it’s meant to fill the periodical gap in quality, creator-driven comics, covering the spectrum from avant-garde to genre, RAW to 2000 A.D.
I’ve been translating some of the business documents for this exciting venture, and I do have to say: these boys think big! They’ve already partnered with Franco-German TV channel Arté, which guarantees high-profile funding, but what they’re really looking to do is make comics a regular choice in the entertainment spectrum. They’re very close to realizing their dream of a comics magazine for all ages and all readers being available in the virtual kiosk of major airlines, or an option among pay channels on hotel TVs.
Readers can catch a glimpse of what’s to come in the magazine, due to debut this March. On Friday, February 1, 2013, at 11:30am in the Salle Odéon du Théâtre d’Angoulême (Avenue des Maréchaux), all five founders will be on hand to tell you all about the one-eyed beast. Meanwhile, check them out on Facebook!