By Hubert & Kerascoet
Publisher: NBM
ISBN: 978-1-56163-592-4
This is the second volume in the story of Blanche, a reluctant dominatrix at a French brothel, the Pompadour, during the 1930s. What particularly attracts the Pompadour’s clients to her is that she has a strict hands-off policy, making her strangely fascinating to the guests but puts her at odds with the other women.
The first volume was warmly received for its strong narrative and vibrant visuals, making the Booklist Top Ten Graphic Novels for 2009. It combined Blanche’s desperate struggle to make a living in a world not of her choosing with a murder mystery – and all the time retaining an intriguing charm despite, or perhaps because of, its subject matter.
At the start of this second volume Blanche is attempting to use the events of the previous story to prise herself free of the Pompadour, but her timing is too slow and they are soon able to sink their hooks back into her. However, it’s not long until another avenue opens itself to her in the form of a young and wealthy man who shows an interest in Blanche, but in a manner that in no-way compromises her professional style.
Confused but ever-hopeful, Blanche slowly falls for him as he begins to shower her with gifts and attention. As her hopes are at their highest her long-lost mother arrives on the scene and we slowly piece together the picture of Blanche’s difficult start in life as the matriarch feeds off of Blanche’s position. It is only when events begin to take a nasty turn that Blanche learns exactly who she has in the world to lean on.
Like the first volume the story is threaded with a mystery that Blanche must unpick through her tenacity and courage. However, it’s not relying on a formula, so the tale remains fresh and involving. Furthermore, Blanche is not guaranteed a happy ending which opens up interesting narrative possibilities.
Jumping back to the opening paragraph, this is a book set in the murky world of a brothel, but it doesn’t revel in it, nor does it celebrate it. Instead, this is a book about the characters and the drama of their lives – at whatever level of society they exist at – with an observant eye on the architecture, fashions, and lifestyles of the period. The art is loose but wonderfully detailed and evocative, and Hubert regularly allows Kerascoet to tell the story through the imagery and the expressions of the characters.
And if you liked that: You may have to wait a while for the third volume’s English translation, but it’s on its way.
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